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Police Officer Looks To Open Boys And Girls Club In Oneida County

Ben Meyer/WXPR

Oneida County could have a Boys and Girls Club as soon as next fall, if everything goes as planned.

The effort is being steered by Rhinelander Police Det. Sgt. Kyle Parish, who saw a void in the community that could be filled by a Boys and Girls Club in the city.

The club offers afterschool activities, homework help, and food for kids of all ages.

“It’s a safe place for them to go.  Unlike other organizations that help build things, this is an everyday thing during the school week, then every single day during the summer,” Parish said.

The Boys and Girls Club of Langlade County is acting as a parent organization to Oneida County’s startup.

It’s been in operation for 19 years.

“When you can see the kids and the staff working together, and we can share more of all the opportunities that we can provide for the youth of Langlade County and Oneida County, it’s life-changing,” said Angel Zimmerman, the CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Langlade County.

Parish said the club is designed for all children, regardless of their family’s economic status.

“Because the Boys and Girls Club is a charity organization, they only charge $25 for the school year and about $100 for the summertime,” he said.  “That helps bring in more disadvantaged kids that don’t have a lot of resources.  This gives them a resource at a really low cost.”

The Boys and Girls Club is looking for a building to call home in Rhinelander.

Organizers will host an informational town hall on Monday, Dec 9 at 6 p.m. at Nicolet College.

Ben worked as the Special Topics Correspondent at WXPR from September 2019 until November 2021. He now contributes occasionally to WXPR. During his full-time employment, his main focus was reporting on environment and natural resources issues in northern Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula as part of The Stream, a weekly series.
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