by KENNETH FRY, Press Argus-Courier Editor Friday, January 18, 2008 2:05 PM CST
Boys and Girls Club of Van Buren is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with all eyes on the future.
"I think the best 50 years are yet to come," said Jeff Inness, chief professional officer. "The programs we are implementing are increasing the number of children we serve. We are trying to serve every child who wants to be here and make sure there is something for them."
Inness said all the programs reflect the philosophy of Boys and Girls Clubs of America's program development format. The five areas are arts, sports, fitness and recreation, education and career development, character and leadership development and health and lifeskills.
"We have the club's first nationally chartered Torch Club," Inness said.
The Torch Club is limited to 15 members, who elect officers, run their own meetings and take on community service projects.
"Members have done club service programs and volunteer in different program areas," Inness said. "Hopefully, club members will aspire to become staff members. By training and recruiting within, the program gets better and better."
Inness told the group attending Tuesday's Business After Hours sponsored by the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce that it is important for the community to be exposed to the club's programs and to where the club is going during the next 50 years.
"Thanks to volunteer projects headed by the United Way - Day of Caring, Leadership Crawford County and the Lions Club, we have been able to clean-up and color-up Hank Hays Field, Huckleberry Field, and the front of our building and inside the club," he said.
During 2007, the club served 1,319 members between the ages of 6 and 18. For a $15 annual membership, the club is open to members from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. when school is not in session and offers a summer program and after school program.
The club's programs are offered from a 13,000-square-foot building in the city park which includes a gym, 23-foot by 27-foot art room, tech center and learning center, small game room and cramped office spaces.
"We are looking at doubling the size of our club with an auxiliary gym with stage, separate art room, learning center and tech center, a new drama room and learning kitchen," Inness said.
Inness pointed out preliminary plans for the club expansion for those attending Business After Hours, but pointed out numbers were preliminary and solid figures would not be available until later this month.
"We really need the community to back the organization so that we can provide the services necessary for the kids to become stronger citizens," Inness said.
For additional information about the Boys and Girls Club of Van Buren call (479) 474-9401.
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of The Press Argus-Courier.
Carol Pence wrote on Jun 1, 2009 11:35 AM:
" looking in the Arkansas TOURIST booklet it states that this is Aug 13-15, 2009. Your web sight says Aug 7-9.
(Editor's Note: The story is from 2008, this year's (2009) event will be held on Aug. 13-15.) "
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Carol Pence wrote on Jun 1, 2009 11:35 AM: