SYLACAUGA — The owner of a local restaurant has organized a week of events and competition, while helping to raise money for a local non-profit group.

Marble City Grill owner Allen Sanders will host “Super Sports Week and Block Party” May 1-8. The event will feature several tournaments and competitions and will be concluded with a block party offering food and music on the final Saturday.

The Boys Club of Sylacauga has been chosen as the recipient for the event’s proceeds. Sanders said the goal was to raise $25,000.

“We started doing the block party four years ago,” he said. “It’s been a pretty big success, so we decided to start doing this for a local charity every year. It grew from there.”

Sanders said Super Sports Week was inspired by the event of the same name held locally years ago. Past recipients of proceeds from the block party were Little League Baseball and the Sylacauga High School band.

The Boys Club has seen many local youth, including Sanders, pass through its doors. Coach Harold Brooks said the main objective of the club was to help the kids mature as individuals through discipline, work and dedication.

“We want them to be the best they can be. That is basically what we do,” Brooks said. “But our funding over the years has been a struggle. One of the most exciting things about this particular thing Allen is doing is that he and his brother came through our Boys Club for several years.”

“That’s important to me. To see one who has come through our program be willing to go to the extreme that he has gone to give back. And we have got several that have come through and done that.”

Several tournaments will be held during Sports Week, including basketball, golf, racquetball and tennis. Also, several foot races, bicycle races and a 5K walk/run are scheduled.

Plaques for first, second and third places will be awarded. Entrants will be accepted until the day of each event.

Sanders said five local bands will play at the block party. Several food vendors will also be out, along with Marble City Grill: Downtown Barbecue, Gabby’s Coffee House, Pincher’s Seafood and Raspberry Bakery.

Sanders added that several local merchants will be involved and others were invited to contact him about setting up booths.

People were encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs but will not be allowed to bring coolers. Sanders said ample free parking would be available throughout the downtown area.

Brooks said Boys Club has between 350-400 kids visit per year. Much of their money for operations has historically come from the United Way, but the recession has increased the club’s need for other funding.

Most of the programs at the club were based around recreational activities, including basketball, softball, baseball, shuffleboard and pool. One of the newest additions at the club was a computer lab.

“This gives the kids an opportunity after school to come in and teach me computers, because I am just about computer illiterate,” Brooks said.

Brooks has worked with the club for 40 years, 38 in Sylacauga. He and his son, Jody, operated the center located on Pine Street.

“Our program is important to the community,” Brooks said. “I figure if we can keep them off the streets, then we have a chance to reach them. That is a big thing for us. In a year’s time, if we can make a difference in one of their lives, if we can turn one around, then it has been worth all the effort that Jody and I have to do.”

Tickets for the block party are $15 and are available at the participating restaurants and the Chamber of Commerce. Tickets will also be available the day of the block party.

For more information or to enter any of the sporting events, contact Allen Sanders at 256-404-2947.