BOYS & GIRLS CLUB of Central Arkansas ANNOUNCES 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY of the JIM WETHERINGTON NORTH LITTLE ROCK CLUB. A Centennial Celebration fundraising event is planned for Thursday, May 11 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Wyndham Riverfront in North Little Rock. Featured at the event will be shared history, cocktails, dinner, featured speakers and some very special entertainment. Emogene Wetherington, widow of Jim Wetherington, will be the honoree of the event. On Saturday, May 13, an OPEN HOUSE will be open to families on the Wethington Club grounds at 13^th & Main in North Little Rock. Activities, crafts and food trucks will be on site. A new, permanant mural will have just been completed on the building exterior by local artist, Kevin Kresse, who attended the club in his youth.

“This 100^th year anniversary of North Little Rock’s Club is a wonderful time to showcase all the terrific programs that go on here every day after school and during the summer to enable every child here to reach their highest potential,” said Cindy Doramus, CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Central Arkansas. “We have something for every child and teenager and they get wonderful care and mentoring to develop into successful, working citizens with good character.

Jim Wetherington was revered among the organization all over the country for his outstanding programs and was the first to be honored by the National Boys & Girls Club where his picture still hangs today. The North Little Rock Club produced four National Youth of the Year and five additional finalists. This is more than any other Club in the nation and is the highest honor a club member can achieve.

About the Wetherington Club

The North Little Rock Boys Club was organized in 1923, and was a charter member of Community Chest (a forerunner of United Way). It operated in the basement of city hall, the upper level of a building in the 500 block of Main Street, then the American Legion Building on Orange Street and finally moved to its current building at 13^th and Main where it expanded it programs and services. In1990 the board formally adopted that the club offer services to girls and became the North Little Rock Boys & Girls Club. Following the death of longtime Executive Director and CEO, Jim Wetherington, the board added his name to the Club.

For more information or to make a donation, go to www.BGCofCA.com