Belmont County Juvenile Probate Judge Al Davies, from left, Moose Lodge 2504 administrator Chad Baugh, vice president Trevor Ballog, Belmont County Friends of Juvenile Court board member Vicki Falcone, Lodge trustee David Burkett, and Friends of Juvenile Court board member Bonnie Conaway celebrate the lodge donating $16,201 to Belmont County Juvenile Court.(T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA)

ST. CLAIRSVILLE – Belmont County Juvenile Court received $16,201 from Moose Lodge 2504.

Lodge administrator Chad Baugh said that the donation comes from the lodge’s gambling machines — 60% of the gambling proceeds each year are required by Ohio law to be donated to an organization or charity — and he is happy to be able to help.

“​​The gambling machines are what keeps our doors open,” Baugh said. “I just became the administrator last April, so this is my first go around with donating. We donated to three different organizations for a total of $80,000. It’s really satisfying to be able to do that.”

Baugh added that the donations would not be possible without the lodge’s members and patrons who purchase food like its Friday Fish Fry.

He said that the lodge has around 225 members and is always accepting applications to join. It is $20 to fill an application and then $40 a year with the first year having a $20 initiation fee.

“We are open every Friday during Lent, from 11 a.m. to close, which is 10 or 11 o’clock at night, and the public is welcome. Just stop on down. We’ve got fish, shrimp, fries, onion rings, whatever you want to have, we got it,” he said.

Baugh added that he is glad to be donating to Juvenile Court because it’s important to him to fundraise for the youth.

“It all goes to the kids, and that’s important to me, because I’m all about fundraising for kids. I’ve been running the Saints Club here at the high school for almost 40 years” Baugh said. “It’s all about the kids.”

Belmont County Juvenile Probate Judge Al Davies added that Belmont County Juvenile Court has several programs that are designed to help kids, parents, and families in general, and a lot of its programs have achieved statewide recognition.

“These funds will be utilized spread across a lot of those programs. They’re not targeted for one program individually. They’re going to go to the general use of all of our programs. So these funds will be put to good use,” Davies said. “The funds will be used for the programs, meaning they will directly benefit the kids, parents, and families that are involved. They’re not used for employee wages, benefits or anything like that.”

He added that this donation marks the largest donation the court’s received in the past twelve months.

“We’re very appreciative, obviously, of all the individuals, entities and organizations that make contributions to the Juvenile Court,” Davies said. “We are blessed to have a lot of those individuals and entities do so. But the Moose has really gone above and beyond with their contribution this year.”

He added that he encourages residents to continue to support the St. Clairsville Moose Lodge because in turn they will also be supporting the Juvenile Court.

“I just want to thank all of the members of the Moose, and anything that people can do to support the moose. I highly recommend it, because in the process, you’re gonna also be helping the kids and families in Belmont County,” Davies said.