North Seattle Boys & Girls Club Celebrating 70 Years of Service

The North Seattle Boys / Girls Club, the oldest Club in King County, will host a “70th Anniversary Celebration” on July 20, 2013 at 7:00pm at their facility located at 8635 Fremont Ave North.  “So many people have made an impact on the youth of our community over the past 70 years and we are eager to bring everyone together,” says Club Director Joan Caldon. 

The first Boys / Girls Club in King County was founded in 1943 as a result of a riot involving more than 100 teens that broke out on the corner of 85th and Greenwood in Seattle. 

Police responded to the incident and looked for an answer to the overall issue of juvenile crime and vandalism, a growing problem in the community due to lack of parental supervision caused by World War II. 

In response, Deputy Joe Woelfert opened the first Boys / Girls Club (originally called the Greenwood Boys Club) in Washington state. The Club was a great success, and within two years, eight Clubs sprouted up in the Seattle area. There are now 14 Boys & Girls Club facilities in King County that provide before and after school programs and services to over 16,000 youth and teens each year. 

The “70th Anniversary Celebration,” open to the community, is for adults twenty-one and over and will feature appetizers and cocktails, a silent auction, alumni speeches, memorabilia displays, and dancing.  “We thought it was important to bring everyone together and celebrate in a fun atmosphere,” says Caldon.  “We hope to relive some great memories, share stories, and celebrate generations of impacting youth.” 

For more information about the event or to purchase tickets contact Jeremy Peck at 425-443-0735 or go to the website.

Boys / Girls Clubs of King County exists to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. With 14 full-service Clubs and 28 before- and after-school program sites, the organization is one of the largest of its kind in the nation, serving 16,000 youth annually. Program areas offered to youth include character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts, computer training and sports/fitness/recreation opportunities.