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‘Important Work’

Fraternity Fund Provides Award To Boys And Girls Club

Chi Sigma Chi Fraternity alumni meet with current members of the Winifred Crawford Dibert Boys and Girls Club of Jamestown. Submitted photo

Editor’s note: Starting on Giving Tuesday, the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation is featuring 12 examples of local people, inspired by their passions, who are using the foundation to make a difference for others.

For nearly 50 years, the Nu Nu Chapter of the Chi Sigma Chi Fraternity at Jamestown High School provided male students developmental, social and leadership opportunities.

Although the fraternity hosted many events from 1926-1975, such as the Sweetheart’s Ball, national conventions with other chapters, and opportunities to mingle with local sororities, nothing could beat their sporting events.

Starting in the fall, six-man football would kick-off the season that ended with softball in the spring.

However, it was basketball and the camaraderie that was built at The Boys Club that left a lasting memory with many members.

In 2003, former Chi Sigma Chi members created The Hourglass Club to in an effort to bring together past fraternity brothers, today. In addition to biannual newsletters and an annual summer picnic, the club’s officers wanted to do something to ensure future youth would be taken care of and have the same opportunities they did.

That year, The Hourglass Club met with the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation to establish The Chi Sigma Chi Remembrance Fund. The purpose is to provide an annual award to the Winifred Crawford Dibert Boys and Girls Club of Jamestown, formerly known as The Boys Club.

“Years ago, The Chi Sigma Chi Fraternity was so important to the development of its members, we felt that today’s youth should be given the same developmental, social and leadership opportunities,” the club wrote in 2003.

According to Jeff Kroon, Boys and Girls Club executive director, awards from The Chi Sigma Chi Remembrance Fund are applied to youth development programs, memberships and program fee scholarships in an effort to have their support directly impact the lives of youth members.

“The members of Chi Sig express great pride in supporting the important work we do with young children, teens and families,” Kroon said. “I enjoy meeting with the Chi Sig alumni each year as they share stories and fond memories of their time as youth at the Club with today’s members.”

To learn more about supporting an organization or cause, contact the foundation at 661-3390 or visit crcfonline.org.

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