“Be great, you are the future.”
These words sound nothing short of inspiring and as though they were taken straight from the pages of some profound author.
These words, though they echo the same sentiments, are simply used to describe the theme of the Boys & Girls Club of Washington County 17th annual Back A Youth Banquet.
Beginning at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at First Presbyterian Church Nunan Hall, 1 John Calvin Circle, some members of the Boys & Girls Club of Washington County will showcase their talent, as well as hear words from Judge Jenny Virden, the guest speaker for the event.
The Boys & Girls Club of Washington County has served as a conduit for several young people who are now adults and are thriving in various ways such as career, community and charity.
Police officer with the Greenville Police Department, Assistant Fire Marshall with the Greenville Fire Department teacher in the Greenville Public School District — those are merely a few of the many areas where a former Boys & Girls Club member exhibits his or her aptitude.
During the banquet, the Boys & Girls Club will present three awards — the Clarke and Judy Reed “From the Heart” award, Howard and Carole Brent “Helping Hand” award and it will announce the 2019 Youth of the Year recipient as well as recognize supporters for 2019.
The Boys & Girls Club of Washington County is extending an invitation to interested local residents to come out and support their event.
The recipient of the Youth of the Year will represent the club in Oxford in the upcoming year.
“It’s about 20 Boys and Girls Club organizations, so each organization will have a Youth of the Year representing in the state Youth of the Year competition,” Joan Rowe, executive director for the Boys and Girls Club of Washington County said.
Rowe also said the winner of the state competition in Oxford, goes on to compete in the regional competition held in Atlanta and the regional winner, nationally, and is awarded the opportunity to go to the White House as well as receive $25,000 in college scholarships.
“That’s a really good program and it gives the kids an opportunity to meet other kids from across the state of Mississippi and find out about other Boys and Girls clubs,” Rowe said.
Rowe explained the banquet will be completely in the hands of the Boys and Girls Club members as the Master and Mistress of ceremony are members.
Rowe hardly gave herself any credit for the ongoing success of the banquet year after year because of the generosity and willingness of other people to lend a hand.
Rowe said Evelyn Edwards of Guaranty Bank has been instrumental in making sure the banquet goes smoothly and getting a group of people together to come out and serve the banquet meal.
Rowe also added how much support the club has received from members and institutions of the Washington County community, such as the local fire department, United Way of Washington County, the office of US Magistrate Judge Jenny Virden, First Presbyterian Church and Edwards.
“First Presbyterian Church has been letting us come to do our banquet there for several years,” Rowe said, noting how Pastor William Sharman III steps in gladly to offer the prayer and benediction for the occasion.
“This year, (the Greenville Fire Department) really stepped up to the plate in helping us with a boot drive on July 6 and we were able to raise one $3,000,” Rowe said. “We were in a bind at that particular point, too, and waiting for some grant funds to come in.”
Rowe also talked about how instrumental the office of Judge Virden is in working with the members, especially in the past summer.
“They had internships and our teens were able to go and observe cases. She (Judge Virden) is real supportive in terms of our program,” Rowe said. “They come over and do art classes with the kids, puzzles and anything that helps to benefit our kids.”
In addition, Rowe noted the club’s biggest supporter locally — the United Way of Washington County.
“If we didn’t have their funding, our doors definitely wouldn’t be open,” a grateful Rowe said.
For over four decades, the Boys & Girls Club has served Greenville, Washington County and its residents.
“Through the support and effort of this community, our club has been here since 1975,” Rowe said.
Members participate in education, social recreation, health/physical fitness, technology and cultural programs and activities.
Many of the young people consider the Boys & Girls Club their home away from home.
They are provided the opportunity to connect, interact and share with each other, as well as, receive a hot, nutritional meal from Monday to Friday.
