THOMASVILLE —Fund-raising efforts are under way for The Jackie Robinson Boys and Girls Club in Cairo and Grady County.

Approval of a $20,000 grant from Grady County government launched the drive, which culminates with the second annual Diamond Affair fundraiser later this week.

The Diamond Affair is Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Grady Cultural Center. Featured speakers are Judd Biasiotto, author, body-builder and motivational speaker, and Florida State University baseball coach Mike Martin.

On Nov. 11, the Grady County Board of Commissioners approved a $20,000 Drug Education Fund grant for the Cairo-Grady County Boys and Girls Club. Money for the grant comes from fines issued in Cairo and Grady County for drug, tobacco or alcohol citations, such as those issued for driving under the influence. The grant will be used for the club’s SMART Moves program.

SMART Moves is an eight- to 10-week alcohol, tobacco, other drugs and teen pregnancy prevention program. The program is age specific and broken into three groups — six- to nine-year-olds, 10- to 12-year-olds and 13- to 15-year-olds.

Jeff Brown, Cairo unit director for the Boys and Girls Club, said, “Participants discuss immediate threats from drugs, alcohol, tobacco and teen pregnancy prevention during the program. The children are given a pre-test to determine their level of knowledge before the program. During the program, the children participate in role-playing, games and hear speakers, such as members of law enforcement. They discuss the family, peer-pressure and taking care of your health by avoiding drugs, tobacco, alcohol, etc.”

At the end of the program, Brown said, children are re-tested to determine how much they learned. This is the fifth year the club has offered the SMART Moves program.

This is one of the many programs offered by the Boys and Girls Club. More than 95 youths, ages six to 16, participate daily in programs and activities designed to increase academic performance in school, build character and teach critical decision-making skills.

“We’re looking for people to come out and support the club,” said Brown. “The Diamond Affair is a great way to do that. We have some terrific speakers.

One of the speakers, Dr. Judd Biasiotto, was a world-class powerlifter and bodybuilder. According to his website, he set 101 state records, 47 region records, 32 American records, 16 national records, and 14 world records. In 1987, Powerlifting USA ranked Biasiotto as the fourth-best powerlifter of all time

He worked as a sports psychologist with numerous amateur and professional athletes and sports teams, including the Kansas City Royals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds. He is author of 46 books and more than 650 articles and is considered one of the top sports writers in America.

Martin celebrated 35 years as the Seminoles’ head coach this year. He has 1,770 career victories, a winning percentage that ranks second among all active NCAA Division I coaches, 34 consecutive regional tournament appearances and 15 trips to the College World Series. Martin was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2007.

In 2013, the Diamond Affair event drew more than 600 people. This year Brown hopes to surpass that and raise between $25,000 and $30,000.

Tickets for the Diamond Affair are available by calling 229-228-5111, ext. 100.