Senate Resolution No. 1039

BY: Senator MARTINS

COMMEMORATING the 75th Anniversary of the
Grenville Baker Boys & Girls Club on May 30, 2025

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those exceptional organizations that have demonstrated a lasting
commitment to serving their communities and enhancing the lives of
individuals through meaningful programs and dedicated service; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Grenville Baker Boys & Girls
Club to be celebrated with a Gala, "Sunset on the Sound," on Friday, May
30, 2025, at the Creek Club in Locust Valley, New York; and

WHEREAS, The Grenville Baker Boys & Girls Club traces its roots to
1947, when it was first incorporated as the Associated Boys Club of
Locust Valley, Inc., formed through the dedicated efforts of local
citizens seeking to support youth in the community despite the absence
of a permanent facility; and

WHEREAS, A pivotal moment in the organizations' history came when
Mrs. George F. Baker, Jr. and her family generously donated land on
Forest Avenue and funded the construction of the original clubhouse,
making possible a home for the club's vital programs and services; and

WHEREAS, On December 7, 1950, the Grenville Baker Boys Club was
officially dedicated in honor and memory of Mrs. Baker's son, Grenville
Baker, a Harvard graduate and decorated Air Force Captain who tragically
passed away in 1949; and

WHEREAS, Following the completion of the clubhouse, the Club
experienced steady growth, fueled by the generosity and commitment of
the surrounding communities through football sponsorships and
fundraising events, and by 1969, more than 600 boys were active members;
and

WHEREAS, In recognition of the evolving needs of local youth, the
Girls Club of Locust Valley was founded, and in 1981, a merger of the
two organizations gave rise to the Grenville Baker Boys & Girls Club,
uniting their missions and expanding their impact; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the Club continued to
expand its programming to meet the changing interests and developmental
needs of children and adolescents, evolving from its original focus on
football to offering a diverse array of programs across five core areas:
Education and Career Development; Sports, Fitness and Recreation; The
Arts; Character and Leadership Development; and Health and Life Skills;
and

WHEREAS, Today, the Grenville Baker Boys & Girls Club serves over
1,500 young people annually, with more than 150 children and teens
attending each day, benefitting from a safe, nurturing environment that
fosters personal growth and community engagement; and


WHEREAS, The Club continues to thrive thanks to the enduring
generosity and enthusiasm of the community, as demonstrated through its
cherished traditions and events such as the Annual Clothing Sale, June
Dance, and Golf Tournament; and

WHEREAS, Despite the many changes over the decades, the Grenville
Baker Boys & Girls Club remains steadfast in its core promise-to provide
a safe and supportive space for youth and to positively impact their
lives; and

WHEREAS, The mission of the Grenville Baker Boys & Girls Club-to
inspire and enable all young people to realize their potential as
productive, responsible, and caring citizens and community leaders of
tomorrow-continues to resonate and guide the Club's efforts; and

WHEREAS, The Grenville Baker Boys & Girls Club stands as a beacon of
hope, opportunity, and inspiration, enriching the lives of generations
of young people and serving as a vital cornerstone of the Locust Valley
community for 75 years; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Grenville Baker Boys & Girls
Club on May 30, 2025, and to applaud its outstanding contributions to
the lives of countless young people in the Locust Valley area and
beyond; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Grenville Baker Boys & Girls Club.