Club News

Our Torch Club members are always coming up with projects to give back to their community. After hearing about a young foster child in need of Christmas gifts, Torch Club decided to play Secret Santa. They raised funds for the gifts by spending their Saturday night volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club’s annual Semi-Formal Dance selling glow sticks and necklaces. They also solicited aid from club families during our afterschool program. With the money they raised, members from Torch Club were able to go on a field trip to Target and purchase toys, clothes, and athletic equipment from the young boy’s Christmas list. Torch Club is comprised of middle school age club members that have an interest in doing community service projects.

OUTSTANDING ZIONSVILLE TEEN TO COMPETE FOR BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA’S STATE YOUTH OF THE YEAR HONOR

Zionsville, IN, 4/15/10 – Carter Speer is a true example of an extraordinary young man. At age 15, he has just been selected to compete against other Boys & Girls Club members for the Indiana Youth of the Year title and a $1,000 scholarship from the Reader’s Digest Foundation. As the Youth of the Year for Boys & Girls Club of Zionsville, Speer is among hundreds of local youth across the country recognized by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) for his sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community.

Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. The title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome. This program was founded over 60 years ago through the generosity of the Reader’s Digest Foundation.

Carter Speer, son of Gilbert and Julina Speer, leads a busy lifestyle. He divides his time between schoolwork, working and volunteering at the Boys & Girls Club as a Jr. Staff, football, and several afterschool clubs. Carter, a freshman at Zionsville Community High School, has worked to make the Honor Roll and is involved in several clubs, as well as the football team. He is a part of “Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens,” Student Council, Best Buddies, and Campus Life. At the Boys & Girls Club, he volunteers as a T-Ball coach for beginners, he organizes and implements our teen extension program, and is involved in our Torch Club (a youth lead community service group). Carter has aspirations of attending the University of Texas, joining the Marine Corps, and becoming a college football coach.

“Carter is an outstanding role model. His passion and joy for helping others is truly contagious. The spirit of community service that had once dimmed with pre-teens and teens alike has been renewed at this club due largely in part to his efforts,” said Glenn Sanford, Unit Director, Boys & Girls Club of Zionsville.
If Speer wins at the state competition, he will compete for the title of Midwest Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 scholarship. The five regional winners will advance to Washington, D.C., in September 2010, to compete for the title of BGCA’s National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $15,000 college scholarship and is installed by the President in an Oval Office ceremony.

Read, Dream, Succeed!
A Colts Family Reading Night

The Boys and Girls Club of Zionsville hosted a free Family Reading Night on October 19th, put on by the Indianapolis Colts in conjunction with Baker & Daniels as part of the Colts Blue Ribbon Literacy Campaign. Colts Tight End Jacob Tamme read while the mascot “Blue” acted out the story with a variety of visual and auditory aids. A free snack, book and bookmark were given to every child in attendance. Over 60 families were in attendance.