In celebration of 25 years of the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County, two major supporters of the organization are being honored at this year’s annual banquet.

Longtime board member Jerry Hall is being presented with the Friend of the Club award with DFT Communications being honored as business partner of the year. Both will be receiving their honors during the March 13 event at Shorewood Country Club.

“Our club is extremely proud to mark our 25th anniversary this year,” said John D’Agostino, club president. “We are so appreciative of the support that has been provided over the years through individuals like Jerry and the business community that includes DFT Communications.”

This year’s banquet begins at 6 p.m. and includes cocktails and a silent auction. Dinner, with a program, will begin at 7:30 p.m. A live auction will follow.

Jerry Hall

Seats for the dinner are available for $65 and tables of eight are $500. Dinner choices include prime rib, salmon in dill sauce, spinach and parmesan stuffed chicken breast or pasta primavera.

Hall, who has served on club board for more than a decade, serves as a principal and senior financial adviser in the HBKS Fredonia office. He specializes in providing financial solutions for business owners and professionals. He began his financial services career in 1994.

DFT Communications has been a major booster for the club since its founding. Over the last decade, DFT has donated more than $20,000 to the club that benefits its after-school programming.

Mark R. Maytum, president and chief operating officer of DFT Communications stated, “We are extremely happy and proud to be honored as this year’s Business Award recipient by the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County. All of us at DFT believe in supporting our local communities and in giving back to organizations who work to better our quality of life, especially for our children. The Boys & Girls Club continues to work toward its mission of providing our youth with a positive environment through programming, education and social interaction which are all so important to their development. Thank you for investing in the youth in our community.”

The Boys & Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County is located at the Salvation Army in Dunkirk at 704 Central Ave. Core programs engage youth in activities with adults, peers and family members enabling participants to enhance their self-esteem and develop to their full potential. Based on physical, emotional, cultural and social needs and interests of boys and girls, programs and activities are offered in five areas: character and leadership development; education and career development; health and life skills; the arts; and sports and recreation.

For more information on the dinner or the club, call 366-1061.