The Knights of Columbus building is in the heart and soul of Uptown Butte.

It is the place where kids and adults play basketball and work out. It is a place to celebrate and mourn. It is a place where we can learn about Butte sports history and maybe find a photo of your parents or grandparents when they were athletes.

It is a place where hungry people can get a free lunch every Tuesday and Thursday.

All of that is possible thanks, in large part, to the generosity of the donors to the 50 Club. That club was started by Bernie Boyle in 1979, and it is about to hit a major milestone. Within the next few months, the KC is expecting the 50 Club to reach $500,000 in donations, $50 at a time.

The Club raised nearly $470,000 through some 9,300 pledges.

That paid for renovations to the gym where the Little Kids Hoops Program is held on Saturday mornings during basketball season. So many young boys and girls got their start playing basketball in the KC. Many turned out to be state champions and college players.

The Club helped pay to renovate the kitchen to feed needy families through their Tuesday and Thursday free lunches.

The plan now is to move up the building with renovations and fix up the top two floors of the 108-year-old facility so that the KC can offer even more to the community.

Bernie began keeping track of the donations by painting the names of donors on the walls around the gym. Later, Jim Michelotti joined the cause to help keep track of the donations. 

Earlier today, I met with Jim and Bernie at the KC to talk about the 50 Club, how it began and where it is going.

Listen in to hear how Bernie proved one early doubter wrong. Listen in to hear how your contributions have helped better a community. If you have not joined the 50 Club yet, you can do so by mailing $50 (or much more if you wish) to the KC at 224 W. Park St., Butte, MT, 59701.

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