By Mark Scott
Tonawanda, NY – Two Boys and Girls Clubs serving Buffalo's Black Rock section and the Tonawandas have merged their operations into one.
Officials say the merger will reduce overhead costs by 12 percent, freeing up funding that can be spent on programs. The combined organization is now known as the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Northtowns of Western New York. Spokesman Michael Basehart says the two agencies began working together last year.
"We've been able to add a new Boys and Girls Club at the Black Rock Assumption School in the Grant-Amherst area in Buffalo," Basehart said. "That club is getting about 120 kids on a daily basis. We have almost 400 youngsters who have signed up as members of that club since its inception last year."
A second center has also been created in Newfane. The combined organization serves more than 4,200 young people.
A $70,000 grant from the John R. Oishei Foundation, which promotes regional collaboration efforts, helped fund the merger.