Pictured from left are Chi Sigma Chi fraternity brothers Phil Carcione, Joe Ruggerio, Dave Chall and Ollie Erickson, as they present a check to Jeff Kroon, Boys and Girls Club of Jamestown executive director, to support youth programs at the club. Submitted photo

For nearly 50 years, members of the Chi Sigma Chi fraternity at Jamestown High School, along with other local youth, played basketball at the Boys Club after school and on weekends.

The Boys Club, which today is known as the Winifred Crawford Dibert Boys and Girls Club, offered youth a safe place to gather for meetings and other activities.

In 2010, decades after the brothers of Chi Sig graduated from JHS, they established The Chi Sigma Chi Remembrance Fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation to provide annual support to the Boys and Girls Club.

Recently, Chi Sig members gathered at the club to present Jeff Kroon, executive director, a check for $1,000. In addition to personal donations, Chi Sig’s alumni group, known as The Hourglass Club, sponsors a reunion picnic for members and their families with proceeds benefitting the fund.

This year’s picnic will take place on Saturday, Aug. 3, at Viking Lake Park. Guests are asked to bring a dish to pass and can contact Ollie Erickson at 483-1700 for more information.