The Ames Boys Club was established in August 1963, and by 1991 the Boys Club of Ames had officially changed its name to The Boys and Girls Club of Ames.

Their website contains what they are about as an organization, as well as how they help local children get what they need to grow.

It also reaffirms core promises that the organization upholds. One local promise states, “to provide a safe environment and have a positive impact on their [the children’s] lives.”

Nationally, the Boys and Girls Club attends to children between the ages of 7 and 18. It stresses an open-door policy to any child in need.

What makes the Ames location unique, located on 210 South 5th St., is the variety of different activities that are provided, to which no other service compares.

“The service provided by the Boys and Girls Club of Story County will continue to evolve into a bigger and better service for this community and for Story County,” said Samantha Holz, administrative assistant for the Boys and Girls Club of Story County.

“Working with the kids is the rewarding part of the job; they brighten up the day. Every day you come in, you get to see why we’re doing what we’re doing.”

On March 2, 2013, the sixth annual gala and 50th anniversary celebration kicked off with a bang. More than 110 people came to take part in the festivities.

The evening began at 6:30 p.m. with a social hour and the start of the silent auction.

The event also included a dinner following the start of the silent auction and the social hour. The food was sponsored by The Cafe and Wilson Toyota.

A program that entailed a short video of the Boys and Girls Club of Story County, created by James Pusey of Cornerstone Church, was played after the meal.

The video included staff, board members, volunteers and club members who talked about their experiences with the Boys and Girls Club of Story County. 

Geff Gescheidler, director of the Boys and Girls Club of Story County, spoke often throughout the night. He told of the history of the Boys and Girls Club in Ames, beginning with when it started in 1963 and how it has become what it is today.

He recognized past and present board members who were in attendance, as well as expressed gratitude for all that the donors have done for the club.

A special club member, 13-year-old Levi Wiggins, shared his experiences with the audience and said of the Boys and Girls Club, “great futures start here.”

Being a part of the Boys and Girls Club of Story County has made him “the man I have wanted to be,” Wiggins said.

“I have enjoyed myself greatly, they have put on a nice event,” said Peter Orazem, an attendee. “Boys and Girls Club is just a great place that provides opportunities for everyone in Ames.”

The sixth annual gala and 50th anniversary celebration collected approximately $30,000, which will go directly to the Boys and Girls Club of Story County.

“Tonight was definitely more successful than past events, and it will hopefully continue to grow with more successful years to come,” Gescheidler said at the end of the evening.