Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County honored its founding board members with a luncheon at the Pelican Yacht Club in Fort Pierce on Oct. 18.

In attendance were Chuck Hill and wife Betty, Dr. William Dannahower, Linda Dusanek, Rep. Larry Lee and several other long-time club supporters.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County has 18 locations and serves more than 6,000 youth per year.

“Because of these great leaders’ combined efforts and foresight 23 years ago, the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County is here today to provide our youth a safe place to learn, grow and play,”said board President Nate Spera. “It was such an honor to hear from them all today and share the many successes we have been able to achieve.”

Founding Board Member Linda Dusanek reminisced: “A need arose for a youth center, but until connecting with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, we weren’t successful. Their programs helped get our fledgling youth center get off the ground. Now look at where we are today, 13 school-based clubs and five Club Houses located throughout the county.”

Among the many dignitaries who came to pay tribute were members of the Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce police departments, Sheriff Ken Mascara, County Commissioners Todd Mowrey and Cathy Townsend, Property Appraiser Michelle Franklin, Fort Pierce Mayor Linda Hudson, past board members Jack Kelly and Charlie Cangianelli and Fort Pierce City Council Member Jeremiah Johnson.