Boys and Girls Club appeals for help

LISA RAINFORD

November 5, 2009

Dovercourt Boys and Girls Club Executive Director Tony Puopolo is eager to move his kids into their new permanent home at 45 Ernest Ave.

The 7,000-sq-ft warehouse with 18 foot ceilings currently sits vacant in the Perth Avenue and Bloor Street West area not far from the club's temporary site at 120 Perth Ave. It was slated to open in September to coincide with the new school year, however financial constraints put a crimp in the original plans.

Puopolo is anxious to see its construction finished in time for the holiday season.

"We are hoping to have the work completed by Christmas to present it as a Christmas gift to the community," he said.

Puopolo is appealing to contractors, individuals and corporations for donations of labour, money or materials. In the meantime, the club's alumni, board of directors and family members are rallying. They have secured a donation of flooring, including vinyl tile and carpet tile for the entire space, which will be installed by the donor at a value of approximately $40,000.

"It's unbelievable," Puopolo said.

Francelina Rego, whose two grandchildren, ages 12 and seven, are club members, has single-handedly raised $1,000 by soliciting donations from local businesses, including a new toilet from a local hardware store. Her grandchildren are looking forward to moving into the much bigger facility, one that will have its own gym. The club's new home will include a computer lab, an arts and crafts space a game room, offices and some general purpose rooms as well as a kitchen. It will be able to accommodate double the number of members the club currently has at its two temporary locations. Rego said her grandkids love the social atmosphere the club provides as well as its diverse programs.

"They like the cooking classes," she said. "This Halloween, they carved pumpkins. In the summer, they like the camping."

Whenever she has some free time, Rego said she'll pound the pavement for donations, visiting a variety of local stores, some more than once.

"I don't give up," she said.

Students from Central Technical School's trades program, comprised of plumbing, electrical, and woodworking, have committed to providing labour for the renovations, as part of their course requirements, said Puopolo.

"They'll get work opportunities and we'll get the work done," he said. "It's a win-win."

The club still needs the expertise of professional tradespeople. There are some tasks the students won't be able to do on their own, he added. If the club had to pay for the renovations, the budget for the entire project would be in the neighbourhood of $200,000.

Puopolo would like the work to start early in December and said he expects construction to take three to four weeks.

Anyone willing to help can contact the club at 416-536-4102 or email antonio@kwik.net