MEMPHIS, Tenn. - NBA player O.J. Mayo of the Memphis Grizzlies will be the keynote speaker for the 39th annual Steak N' Burger Dinner benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Memphis Thursday at the Racquet Club in Memphis.

Mayo, a second year pro player, is passionate about the Boys and Girls Club purpose, partly because he used to be a club member in his hometown of Huntington, West Virginia.

"A lot of the older kids are mentors and help you with your homework," Mayo said. "It's a great place for little young kids. I remember eating breakfast, eating the brown bag lunches and just playing basketball and other recreational sports."

The Huntington Boys and Girls Club is where Mayo sharpened some of the skills that helped make him a professional basketball player. Mayo said he will use his story to hopefully inspire the kids at the dinner Thursday.

"I will just let them know that I was once in their position," Mayo said.

At the fundraiser, which raised $300,000 last year, kids who are members of the Boys and Girls Club eat steaks, while the adults in attendance eat hamburgers.

To purchase tickets for the 39th Annual Steak and Burger Dinner benefitting the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Memphis, visit www.bgcm.org .

Tax refundable tickets are $200. The event is from 7:00pm-9:00pm this Thursday at the Racquet Club.