Bartow Boys and Girls Club Grand Opening

Mayor Scott Sjoblum cuts the ceremonial ribbon marking the opening of the Joe L. Saunders Boys and Girls Club of Bartow.

The Grand Opening and Ribbon-cutting of the Joe L. Saunders Boys and Girls Club in Bartow took place October 26, 2020.

The Club is located within the Gibbons Street Elementary School at 1860 East Gibbons Street.

Bartow Joe L. Saunders Boys and Girls Club opened with 30-50 kids (due to CDC Guidelines for Staff/Child ratios and social distancing) but ultimately we’ll be able to serve 150-200 youth. Sponsors include the family of Lee Saunders, who asked that the facility be named for his late father, Joe, a champion for kids.

In addition this club location would not be possible without the support of Mosaic, Peace River Citrus Products and Pallet One. We also want to acknowledge and thank the Kincart family and A-C-T Environmental & Infrastructure, as well as donations from a host of generous local families in Bartow and Polk County.

Organizers gave special thanks for the partnership extended by Superintendent Jackie Byrd and the Polk County Public School Board for making this space available.

Area Director, Mike Borders, has named Takeisha Mclin-Peterson (a Bartow Resident) as the Bartow Club Unit Director.  For more information about the Club, please contact Steve Giordano at sgiordano@bgcpolk,org, or visit the website at https://www.bgcpolk.org.