Boys and Girls Club of Los Fresnos Received Much Needed Renovations

Updated: September 16, 2024

By Mike Villarreal

The Boys and Girls Club of Los Fresnos, which started in 1998 as a branch of the Brownsville club, established its chapter in 2001. Kids of all ages can receive help with homework, play board games, or participate in various sports activities.

In 2009, the club received two HUD grants and one from the Lower Rio Grande Valley Developmental Council to construct an 8,800-square-foot facility that could accommodate 100 children daily. This expansion also introduced new services, including tutorials and homework assistance from Sylvan Learning Centers. This community feeding program provides 17,000 meals a year, as well as sports and recreational programs that have benefitted hundreds of youths.

The club’s mission is to help all young people reach their potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. It is a safe place for learning and growth, offering life-enhancing programs and character development experiences. It aims to establish ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals, bringing hope and opportunity to the lives of young people.

Since its inception, Executive Director Eddie Barron has been leading the club from a small building on 3rd Street with 7 members to its current unit at Memorial Park, where it now has almost 300 members annually.

Recently, the Boys and Girls Club of Los Fresnos Boxing and Garden Facility underwent a major transformation, thanks to the initiative of two community members, Robby and Kim Walsdorf. They reached out to Cameron County businesses and organizations for support in the form of funding, materials, and labor, resulting in an overwhelming response and a revitalized facility in just six weeks.

Now, the club has a safe and secure place for training and gardening, thanks to the generous contributions of Robby and Kim Walsdorf. Eddie Barron expressed his deep gratitude, saying he was “beyond grateful and had no words to express how much this truly helps the club and the kids that will get to enjoy it for generations to come.”

Additionally, the club acknowledges the substantial contributions of Ocelot Development, Las Huelas Inc., RM Walsdorf, Inc., Jon K and Denise Pederson, International Bank of Commerce, Los Fresnos Rodeo Committee, Mark and Shannon Millum, William P.C. Hudson, and William Mathers, as well as the in-kind contributors who gave their time and/or materials.

This renovation marks a new chapter for the Boys and Girls Club of Los Fresnos Boxing and Garden Facility, which will now provide a safe and modern space for young athletes and gardeners to train and grow. The club is immensely proud of what they have achieved together and looks forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on the community of Los Fresnos.