The West Salem High School Football Parent Boosters played Santa for the West Salem Boys & Girls Club, in the form of a check for $1,190 from

“It was just such a wonderful bonus to the season of giving when I opened that envelope and saw the generosity of the football team and the parents,” said Cheryl Brenengen, a member of the club’s advisory board. She added that the money will come in especially handy as what has become a very successful club ends its first three years in existence starts its fundraising process for the future.

“When the West Salem site opened,” said Jim Quinn, outgoing president of the advisory board, we needed three years of in-kind operating funds — one year in hand and two in pledges. We’re now at the end of that three-year period.”

Money for the donation came from the sale of the Black Cat Card, a discount card that can be used at area businesses.

“The players go out and sell those cards,” said Connie Dutton-Snell, a member of the booster club. “The money raised goes to provide scholarships to two football players each year.”

But that’s not the only contribution made by the players and their parents. “We take $1 from every card we’ve sold and pick an organization or individual to give it to,” said football coach Wayne Sackett. “I think this is our sixth year of doing that, and we’ve averaged between $1,100 or $1,200 every year.”

Sackett praised assistant coach Justin Jehn for coming up with the idea for this year’s donation. “He suggested that we give to the Boys & Girls Club, an organization that does so much for the community,” Sackett said.

Don Brenengen, who also serves on the advisory board, was appreciative of the gift. “It’s just such a great story — high school kids kicking in to help the community — and I think they should get some credit for it.”

Although less than three years old, the West Salem Boys & Girls Club (one of seven such clubs in the La Crosse area) has succeeded beyond it’s booster’s wildest expectations. A projection done by the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse before the facility opened projected it would need 280 members after three years to be successful. “We’ve actually got 55o active members,” said Deana Protz, director of the facility.

“It’s amazing how much it gets utilized,” Quinn said. “Having it here in West Salem has given a lot of youngsters a safe, secure place to go after school. What’s that saying — a positive environment for kids? It’s a huge asset to the community, but it takes a continuing commitment to keep the doors open.”

With an eye to the future, the club began its letter-writing campaign this fall, soliciting donations from community leaders and businesses. “The last letters went out last week,” Quinn said.

Two other major community fundraisers are planned for the facility — a Taco Night in April and a Fall Family Fun Fest in September.

“We also have other fundraisers through the Village People, and we also raise money during the village-wide rummage sale, said advisory board President Bob Hubbard. “And we’ve started our capital campaign for the new year, so donations like this one (from the booster club) are fantastic.”

“The fundraising this year is essential for the club,” said Protz. “We need people to support us and keep the doors open so that kids will continue to have a place to come to.”

Anyone wishing to donate to the club is encouraged to contact a board member or call Protz at 786-1392.