Boys & Girls Club Returns to Peabody

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem announced last week that a Peabody chapter will reopen in March at .

The local unit, which was created in 2007 by Higgins teacher Greg Passeri, -- the parent organization had subsidized most of the cost, but donations and grant monies were down overall and membership was steadily increasing in Salem.

Thanks to Kelly Automotive Group and a contribution from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, however, the club will live on in Peabody as the Night Hawks.

Kelly is donating $50 for every car it sells to Peabody residents over the next few months.

"At middle school age I had many friends that had nothing to do after school but hang out. I was lucky enough to have a job. It’s very important for kids to have a place to go after school with something productive to do." said Brian Kelly, president and CEO of Kelly, in a statement.

An announcement from the Salem-based organization says the donations will form the basis for seeking additional support from the Peabody community, which had been difficult to secure in the past.

“All donations from Peabody will be for Night Hawks. We are so happy to bring the Boys & Girls Club mission back to life to benefit the students at the Higgins,” said club president Trip Mason.

“Many of our students and their parents are excited about the Boys & Girls Club return to our school. The club’s emphasis on educational programming and mentoring by caring adults makes it a good fit with our
school district’s mission to prepare students to be life-long learners and critical thinkers,” said Higgins Principal Todd Bucey.

The after-school program begins again March 6.