...The Club is a great way for all of us to invest in a positive future for our kids and in turn for our community"...

In a world that has never seemed more threatening or devoid of promise for a disproportionate number of America’s children, the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Sound, North Mason Branch, (BGC) provide a tangible measure of hope.

In 1994, Tim Wing of Belfair and Lynn Hamilton of Allyn pulled together a small group of individuals from North Mason and began a process that ultimately took them over four years to complete. Tim became the first Chairman of the first Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors in 1995. He led the group through the early stages of raising several hundred thousand dollars, which enabled the Club to hire their first Executive Director followed by the initial opening of the Club doors to the community’s children in June of 1998. Tim continued to serve as Board Chairman through the year 2000 and currently serves as an active board member.

As the campaign to fund the Club developed, Tim became well-known  or his rallying efforts to raise money by wearing a three-piece suit and jumping into the cold January waters of Puget Sound’s Case Inlet at the organization’s annual Polar Plunge. Tim has participated in this frigid event for the past seven years and has gathered many pledges in return for his willingness to "take the plunge" on behalf of the BGC. Both Tim and his wife Betty have contributed thousands of hours and considerable funding to the club over the years.

This year the BGC was faced with a new challenge - the need to expand programs to serve our sky -rocketing membership of North Mason youth com- bined with a lack of available space within the club.


...The Solution?...

With the cooperation of the North Mason School District, the Olympic
Educational Service District #114 and the staff and Board of Directors
of the BGC, the club began its first After School Program for elementary children by moving into both Sand Hill and Belfair Elementary Schools. These new "outreach" clubs opened on the first day of school and continue to serve children from 3:30 to 6:00pm each school day.

From 3:30 to 4:00pm, club members check in and enjoy an after-school snack. From 4:00 ‘til 5:00pm, students who have homework can participate in the Power Hour and work with BGC staff and volunteers to learn study skills and complete their homework. This tutoring program has been extremely successful.

Starting in October of this year, the NMSD began their extended learning program for students in reading and math. This program is also offered at both elementary schools from 4:00 to 5:00pm.

Club members without after-school homework can participate in a variety of different activities offered in the gym, on the playground and a designated activity room on campus. All activities are supervised by BGC staff and local volunteers.

The existing club site on the North Mason School District campus adjacent to both Hawkins Middle School and the NM High School is now used exclusively by teens. This new Teen Club is open from 2:15 to 6:00pm every school day. The Teen Club focuses on job training, technology classes, character building & leadership, goal setting, drug prevention and homework tutoring. A developing Art Program is administered in a special on-site studio, with games and movies offered in a separate area of the Club.

The BGC serves 200 to 250 youth each day. The Club gives children the opportunity to take on very adult responsibilities, such as running our club store where they can learn what it takes to operate a successful business. The Club also provides the only real opportunity for some of these kids to spend time with adults who take a personal, one-on-one interest in their well-being.

"If it weren’t for people like Tim Wing, we
wouldn’t be where we are today."

According to Lynn Hamilton, "If it weren’t for people like Tim Wing, we
wouldn’t be where we are today." With his help and the help of many other local residents, the BGCWS continues to grow as an organization that is truly phenomenal, serving over 800 of our North Mason youth each year. All of us working together are making a difference and we can continue to make a difference for years to come. Please contact the Boys and Girls Club at 275-7805 with your support or to volunteer.

Tim believes in the club and what it stands for. Perhaps the best way to
sum up the club’s presence is in his words: "The Boys and Girls Club is an important element of the North Mason community. It provides a safe and positive place for kids to go after school. The Club is a great way for all of us to invest in a positive future for our kids and in turn for our 
community."