From friendly post-church breakfasts more than twenty years ago, Fathers United grew into an organised club where fellowship and good works happily combine. Many of the founder-members remain stalwarts today, and at least one, Mr. Gladwyn Woolridge, has been "recycled'' as club secretary three times.

"The Club was founded by the late Mr. Charles Weldon,'' explained its president, Mr. Boyd Smith. "After Father's Day service at church a group of guys used to get together at his home for breakfast. It became a tradition, and after a couple of years we said, `Why not form a club?' so that's what we did.'' Choosing as its motto, `United we stand in fatherly love', its purpose, in Mr.

Smith's words, is "to combine social activities with improving the economic, social and spiritual well-being of the community through active participation in planning and executing programmes for the development of the community, furtherance of goodwill, and co-operation among all people''.

With members of all faiths, Fathers United's common goal is believing in God and doing good for the community.

"We also encourage members to save,'' Mr. Smith said. "We ask for a $500 deposit to join, which is put into an investment. The interest from that helps to promote our funds.'' Fund-raisers, such as a recent fishfry, also swell the club's coffers, funds from which are used for charitable work.

Last month, for example, Fathers United donated a wheelchair to the Mount Zion AME church. It has also distributed funds to families in need, for example where breadwinners have died in tragic circumstances, or someone has been hit with huge medical bills.

"If a member hears of a need, he brings it to the club for discussion. We determine the way in which we will assist and to what extent,'' Mr. Smith explained.

On the social side, there is an annual Christmas dinner for members and their families, where raffles raise more funds to put into the good works coffers.

Extending the special camaraderie which has built up among the membership -- limited to 30 at any one time -- the men also enjoy taking holidays together.

They have been to the US, Canada and on cruises, sometimes exchanging plaques with dignitaries such as one-time mayor of Boston, Mr. William Schaeffer, and the mayor of Williamsburg, Virginia.

A proud moment in its history was when Fathers United brought in then-mayor Schmoke of Baltimore to address their banquet.

The club meets on the last Thursday of each month except during the summer.

And on Sunday, just as it has done on Father's Day for more than two decades, the members of Fathers United will again join the regular congregation at a church of their choice, leaving behind a sizeable donation to be used as that church sees fit.

See photo of wheelchair donation on Page 40 Mr. Boyd Smith.