In the 75 years since a group of Freeport teachers decided to form a club, they have been helping students further their educations.

The Freeport Area College Club has contributed to the community's educational and cultural fabric through a long-running scholarship program and by founding and helping to support the Freeport Library.

The group recently marked its 75th anniversary with a celebration at Brackenridge Heights Country Club, Natrona Heights.

The club was started in 1932 by a group of teachers who "focused on education in order to help their students, and they did this through various means," according to Barbara Bly of Sarver, club secretary.

"One was through donations to child welfare. They were a very industrious group of ladies, very creative," she noted.

Just five years later, the club organized a community library in the basement of what is now the National City Bank building. Over the years, the library moved to several locations in Freeport before settling into its current home on Market Street.

Having a library within walking distance added richly to the academic and social fabric of the community, Bly said.

"The library was not only a source of books and reading material, but was also a social gathering place too," she said.

"The College Club has been a wonderful supporter of the library ever since," said Pam Eberle, head librarian.

"They donate to the library every year. They are hard working people. They are a real asset to the community, and I think it's wonderful that a club has lasted this long in the community."

She also noted that "quite a few" club members donate their time and talent as library volunteers in addition to financial support.

"We're not a state-funded library. We depend on the community and business people, so I think it's a pat on the back for the community that our library does as well as it does," Eberle said.

"The club has always joined in any community effort that was going on," said 94-year-old Louise Collins of Natrona Heights, a member since 1940.

Today, the club continues to maintain its original purpose to better the lives of children. The group's efforts are three-fold, Bly explains, through library support, donations to child welfare organizations and a college scholarship program the club started in 1954.

Since its inception, the club has awarded more than $26,000 to 72 high school graduates. The scholarship awards, which are based on a combination of financial need, community involvement and academic achievement, are open to any high school senior living in the Freeport School District.

The funds are raised though a wide range of benefit events including an annual house tour that was conducted for several years. The club is currently planning a spring fashion show and a golf outing.

The scholarships, although sometimes modest in amount, have made a big impact on many recipients' lives. Freeport native Shirley Haggart of Butler was awarded $200 by the club when she graduated from Freeport High School in 1955, changing the course of her life.

"I had planned to go into nursing and all of the sudden I decided I didn't want to be a nurse," said Haggart. "I went to the guidance counselor almost in tears, and that's when she recommended teaching."

Haggard, the daughter of a mill worker, had "never even thought of college. When my guidance counselor recommended teaching, I said 'Oh, I can't afford college,' and she said, 'There's a scholarship and I'll get you an application.'

"I applied and got the scholarship and it went on from there."

After graduating from Indiana (Pa.) University, she began teaching elementary school in the Butler School District and retired after 34 years.

Although in today's market the modest $200 award, "wouldn't even pay for books, then it was enough to pay for my first quarter at Indiana," Haggart said. She went on to receive a master's degree from the University of Hawaii.

"That scholarship opened a whole world to me that I probably would not have had if I wouldn't have received the scholarship," she said.

The Freeport College Club holds regular monthly meetings from September through May, with a special outing in June. The group currently includes 31 members, including officers Lucille Shilling, president; Janis Harbison, first vice president; Miriam Heilman, second vice president; Barbara Bly, secretary; and Susan Lowers, treasurer.

More information about the Freeport College Club is available by contacting a club officer, or by writing to the club at P.O. Box 232 Freeport, PA 6229.