By John Lynds
On Thursday May 26 from 7:30-9:00 a.m. former State Representative and Chief Secretary for Governor Charlie Baker, Carlo Basile, will host the 8th Annual Salesian Boys & Girls Club Camp Scholarship Breakfast at the Salesian Boys & Girls Club on Byron Street in East Boston. Tickets for the event are still on sale and the Salesians need the community’s help and support.
Basile, a former member of the Salesian Boys & Girls Club, will welcome local elected officials and guests to the event.
This year Steve ??? from Carlo’s Catering will receive the coveted Don Bosco Award for outstanding service to the community. The Salesians will also also honor the 99 Restaurant for their long partnership with the Boys & Girls Club as well as Massport, East Boston Savings Bank and Eastern Bank.
Fr. John Nazzaro, executive director of the Salesian Boys & Girls Clubm hopes to raise $40,000 in scholarships for low income families through donations and the live auction.
“This year we are privileged to have Joseph Ruggiero as our live auctioneer,” said Nazzaro. “We are calling out to all community leaders, businesses and friends to celebrate youth by coming together for this worthy event.”
The Salesian Boys & Girls Club accommodates over 350 young people a day and has over 1,000 youngsters on their active membership. The registration fee for one child is a minimal $20.00 a year.
“The Boys and Girls Club laid the foundation for my success by providing me a safe place to grow, adults who served as my mentors, and a community and culture that instilled in me confidence and a love of community” said Basile.
Each year the Salesian Boys & Girls Club runs a summer camp and this year over 200 young people will take advantage of this fantastic program. The annual breakfast raises money for kids who otherwise would not be able to participate in a safe fun filled summer.
Fr. Nazzaro, who grew up in Eastie and knows the neighborhood, has been running the Salesians Boys and Girls Club inside the former Savio Hall with tremendous success.
The 350 children who show up daily do so primarily for the Boys and Girls Club’s after school program that costs local families a very modest $20 for the entire year.
“The program serves children ages 6 to 19 from 2:30 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday,” explained Fr. Nazzaro. “We offer computers, after school help, homework help, sports, art and crafts and provide snacks every day at 5:15 p.m.”
Fr. Nazzaro and the board are hoping to raise enough money at the event to help support the programs on Byron Street.
“The Boys and Girls Club has always done good work in the community,” said Basile. “After my father passed away, my mother was able to send my brothers and I to the club and know we were safe. It allowed her to go to work and pay next to nothing for an after school program. In many ways it saved my life.”
Owners of Danilchuk Auto Body on Addison Street in East Boston donated $3,000 to the Salesian Boys & Girls Club last week. Every donation to the Salesians help low income Eastie children attend a program with safe and fun activities. On Thursday, the Boys & Girls Club will hold their annual breakfast to raise $40,000 for the Club’s programs.