Ruben Studdard headlines Albany Boys and Girls Club fundraiser

ALBANY — Around 1,000 guests gathered Thursday evening at the Darton State College arena for the Boys and Girls Club of Albany’s 28th annual Steak and Burger Dinner, its largest fundraising event of the year.

Not only was the night an opportunity for good food and socializing, but there was also some inspirational advice from Phillip Daniels, former University of Georgia football star who later played for for the Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears and Washington Redskins.

Daniels, addressed the children in the audience for some 15 minutes, urging them to follow their dreams but also to stay in school and “be smart.”

“Not everyone can be an NFL player,” Daniels said, “Very few people have that chance, and the average time you have with a club is only about two years. Stay in school. Learn and give yourself a future.”

As if Daniels wasn’t worth the price of dinner, the night was rounded off with songs from 2003 “American Idol” winner vocalist Ruben Studdard. Founder of the Ruben Studdard Foundation for the Advancement of Children in the Music Arts, Studdard is a regular speaker at Boys and Girls Clubs around the country.

“I keep a special feeling for the Boys and Girls Clubs,” Studdard said Thursday. “I was a regular at the club in Birmingham when I was growing up.”

“Tonight is mostly for the kids,” said Marshall Thomas, chief volunteer officer of the Boys and Girls Club of Albany. “It’s a chance for the community to sit with the kids and meet with them and see the scope of what’s going on with the club.”

According to Thomas, event tables were purchased for $300 each and, by design, accommodated six adults and two club children.

A wide array of merchandise and services donated by local businesses were raffled or sold for the benefit of the Boys and Girls Club. Event officials said food and serving staff were provided free by Stewbos restaurant group.

Near the end of the event, the Boys and Girls Club Youth of The Year Award was presented to Monroe Comprehensive High School student Tysheria Green. For her accomplishments, Green received a $500 college scholarship.