Boys and Girls Club opens new center in northeast Oklahoma

FAIRLAND, Okla. – The Boys and Girls Club of America held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday for its newest club.

The Fairland Branch, located west of downtown, is the eighth club to open in the tri-county area of Delaware, Ottawa, and Craig County in Oklahoma.

Hundreds of children, their parents, and community leaders fill the newly renovated Family Dollar store to learn about the new club.

“Every day, more kids in our community are seeking places to learn, play, and thrive in a supportive, nurturing environment,” said District Judge Jennifer McAffrey. “This new facility is a testament to our commitment to providing these essential spaces and opportunities.”

“This club is a beacon of hope and opportunity for generations to come,” said Mackenzie Garst, CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Ottawa County.

Garst said around 100 children are enrolled in the Fairland Club and the organization expects a 40% increase in attendance with the new club.

“We already have a waiting list,” Garst said.

Garst explained the necessity of the Boys and Girls Club in rural counties, saying, “Childcare in rural Oklahoma is a deficit—that’s why the Boys and Girls Club thrives in rural counties.”

Garst praised the Cherokee Nation for investing $5 million in Boys and Girls Clubs across the Cherokee Nation Reservation and Wyandotte Nation and Arvest Bank for their financial support.

The private and public investments will keep the doors of the Boys and Girls Club open for some time, she said.

One of the components of the organization is the academic foundation, character development, and leadership skills.

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