Charlie Halford was credited as the catalyst behind the new Education Center at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manteca / Lathrop.

He’s been involved with the local youth organization for nearly 40 years.

“This (room) started off as wood shop and then it was the teen room – now it’s the Education room,” he said Thursday during ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Panda Cares Center of Hope’s Education Center inside the Boys & Girls Club at 545 W. Alameda St.

Practically everything in the education center is brand new thanks to remodel made possible by a $45,000 grant by the Panda Cares Foundation – the philanthropic arm of the company has the purpose of serving “the health and education needs of underserved youth and to foster the spirit of giving,” according to the mission statement.

Halford got the ball rolling back in June. The remodeling project kicked off in September and was completed in three months.

Members of the club were quick to enjoy the education room with new desks, furniture and other amenities to help them with their school work.

It’s all part of the Boys & Girls Club’s vision on providing a safe place for kids to learn and grow along with those ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals.

Many are active members of the community who serve in various capacities at the local club, with most in attendance at the special ribbon-cutting event.

Included were board President Erim Nussbaumer, new CEO / President Sara Young, Manteca police / Manteca Unified board member Chief Stephen Schluer, Manteca Fire Battalion Chief Sterrie McLeod, Mayor Gary Singh, Manteca Councilwoman Regina Lackey, Chuck Crutchfield, Steve DeBrum, and Rex Osborn, to name a few.