DEPEW, N.Y. — Depew Boys and Girls Club Executive Director Dave Hoch has been a father figure to thousands of kids in his 48 years there. But Hoch's history with the club goes back even further.
"I grew up in a Boys and Girls Club. That's one of the reasons I'm here," he said. "My father passed when I was six, so basically the mentors I had, they were just phenomenal people. They really took care of you. They cared about you. I sort of tried to model myself after a lot of them, with dealing with the kids here in Depew and Lancaster."
The sands of time have passed quickly, and Hoch will retire next month. His legacy might always to linked to how he helped the club rise from the ashes.
On New Years Day 2013 the Depew Boys and Girls Club suffered a devastating fire. Thanks to a huge fundraising effort they opened the new addition three years later.
"It's awesome what we built and the work we put into it," said Director of Operations Jeff Kupka, who led the efforts to rebuild after the fire.
Kupka grew up in the Depew club and has worked under Hoch since 1996. His dedication to the club and to the kids makes him the natural fit to take over.
"I mean, I'm actually at the point where some of guys or girls I had, have kids that now come in. It makes you feel old, but makes feel good that their parents still come back and trust you with their kids and know that it was just important for them, so they want to make sure their kids experience it, too," said Kupka.
Whether it's playing games, getting a snack, being on the computer, hanging with friends, or shooting hoops, the kids are safe there.
"It's basically my second home. It helped me escape stuff out in the streets, drugs, people fighting," said Depew Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year Devon Ross.
His name is now enshrined on the hardwood floor in the gym. Dave Hoch laid the foundation, and Jeff Kupka will build upon it, for generation of kids in Depew.
"I feel real comfortable. I know he'll continue the good work we've done together," said Hoch.
When Kupka takes over next month he'll be focused on making capital and technology improvements to the club, thanks to several grants..
Hoch says he's looking forward to spending more time with his wife, kids, and grandkids in retirement- well deserved after spending nearly half a century selflessly caring for other kids.
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