The Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie would like to thank the generous donors and sponsors of this year’s Great Futures Dinner, championed by MutualBank. This event, held on January 16 at the Horizon Convention Center in Muncie, raised more than $39,000. The fundraising event will help fund the many programs for Club members throughout the year.
Guests were treated to the Club Kids’ favorite meal – breakfast for dinner. Throughout the evening, guests had the opportunity to interact with the talented Club Kids who showed off the programs they worked on during the year. The event kicked off with a pep rally led by the Clubs drumline and treated to performances by the dance team.
The Clubs recognized the service and impact of Pat Botts near the start of the program and announced the renaming of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie Youth of the Year to the “Patrick C. Botts Youth of the Year.” A plaque featuring the yearly winners will be located at the Madison Street location.
Asia Wyatt was awarded the 2019 Patrick C. Botts Youth of the Year award. Asia is a Senior at Muncie Central High School who has been a member of the Clubs for two years. Asia works as an Ambassador for the Training Future Scientist Program, is a co-captain of her bowling team and will be attending Indiana Wesleyan University in the fall. “Asia is an inspirational young lady who brought us to tears many times during the interview process. Her hard work will take her farther than she can imagine, but I am sure that she will stay humble throughout, giving credit to those around her. I am proud to have her as a part of our Clubs.” Jason Newman, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie.
Jason Newman, CEO of The Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie presents the 2019 Patrick C. Botts Youth of the Year Award to Asia Wyatt.
Awards were also given to individuals within the community that dedicate time, energy, and resources to bettering the lives of Muncie’s youth.
Congrats to Thursday night’s award winners:
The Boys & Girls Clubs Legacy Award was posthumously awarded to Pat Botts for his service to the Clubs and the community.
Roy C. Buley Heritage Award for contributions in the areas of education, race relations, social justice, human rights, and youth membership was awarded to Watasha Barnes-Griffin.
This event would not have been possible without the contributions of our sponsors and many table leaders:
- MutualBank – Champion Sponsor
- Midas – Reception Sponsor
- Ball State University – Office of Community Engagement
- IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital
- JLK Advocacy, LLC
- Polcz Family Home Team
- TechWise Academy
- Thrive Credit Union
- Ball State University – Teachers College
- Dr. Jeff Bird
- First Merchants Bank
- Jeff and Kristin Irving
- Ivy Tech Community College
- Meridian Health Services
- Open Door Health Services
- Sheriff Tony Skinner
- Whitinger & Company LLC
- Youth Opportunity Center, Inc.
- Kramer Real Estate Group
Boys & Girls Clubs of Muncie also unveiled the new campaign: “Whatever It Takes to Build Great Futures.” You can learn more about this message and about the Clubs at their newly designed website: www.bgcmuncie.org. Jason Newman thanked Whitinger Strategic Services and the Ball Brothers Foundation for their partnership and assistance for rebuilding the new site.
The new site makes navigation easier for families to enroll and learn more about the programs offered at the Clubs. Community members can easily find ways to offer their services to the Club through volunteering or donating. The new site is compatible with any device for ease of use.
For questions about this or other Boys & Girls Clubs programming, please contact Qiana Clemens at qclemens@bgcmuncie.org.