The Boys & Girls Club of Jacksonville is celebrating 50 years of service and will host its annual fundraiser at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20. 

The keynote speaker will be Danyelle Musselman, wife of Arkansas Razorbacks men’s basketball coach Eric Musselman. It will be emceed by THV11 reporter Melissa Zygowicz.

Other special guests will include Colonel Derrick Floyd, Group Commander of the 19th Mission Support Group of the 19th Airlift Wing at the Little Rock Air Force Base, and Mike Wilson of the Jacksonville Education Foundation.

“I am honored to be the keynote speaker for the 50th anniversary event of the Boys & Girls Club of Jacksonville,” said Danyelle. “Programs like the Boys & Girls Club support students from all walks of life and empower them to become coachable young adults and responsible citizens.” 

The Boys & Girls Club of Jacksonville supports students physically, emotionally and mentally. During the last 50 years, the program has provided nearly 30,000 healthy meals for kids and is a safe place for students to go after school and during the summer.

“The Boys & Girls Club of Jacksonville serves as an extension of the classroom. Afterschool programs are a key educational component in developing well-rounded students who turn into successful adults,” said LaConda Watson, chief executive officer of the Boys & Girls Club of Jacksonville. “We’re proud to celebrate 50 years of service to the city and community of Jacksonville and are excited to welcome Danyelle Musselman as our keynote speaker. Our event will help us raise funds that will enable the Club to continue to serve the children of our community for another 50 years and beyond.”

The theme of the event is “Empowering Bright Futures” and will celebrate 50 years of committed supporters to the Boys & Girls Club of Jacksonville. 

Founded in 1969, the Boys & Girls Club of Jacksonville facility on Graham Road was built almost entirely through donations and volunteer labor when community members realized there was a pressing need for a positive place for kids to go after school for help with homework, and during the summer for help to be more active, to receive a healthy snack and meal, and to minimize summer learning loss. 

The event will be held at the Jacksonville Community Center at 5 Municipal Drive. Individual tickets are available for purchase at Eventbrite.com, the Boys & Girls Club of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. Corporate sponsorships for the event are available as well.