For decades Citizens Bank has supported the Boys & Girls Club of Elizabethton/Carter County in a variety of ways and this year the Club has named Citizens Bank it’s “Champion for Children.”
Over the years, Citizens Bank and its employees have supported the Boys & Girls Club through financial sponsorships, board participation and community volunteers. This year, the bank continued their legacy of support for the Club through a $20,000 investment in the organization.
The designation of “Champion for Children” is an honor bestowed upon the person or organization that donates the largest amount of money to a Boys & Girls Club.
“It’s our highest monetary level,” said Ginny Wright, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club.
As a Champion for Children, Citizens Bank will be a premier sponsor of Club events and will be highlighted throughout the year but the contribution has a much more meaningful impact, Wright said. The funding provided by Citizens Bank will ensure the growing number of youth needing access to Club programs have the resources they need to achieve academic success, healthy lifestyles and good character and citizenship, she said.
With kids out of school on break, the summer months can be a time of particular need for Carter County families who are tasked with finding educational programs, summer camps, and fun activities to fill the hours. For families without a stay-at-home parent, and for those who lack the financial means to cover the high costs of such activities, the summer months are even more stressful.
“Citizens Bank is helping our community in the times we need them most,” Wright said. “Their support ensures every child has access to a quality summer program that can help our youth overcome obstacles and break the cycle for their families.”
The Boys & Girls Club’s summer program kicked off on May 31. Several employees of Citizens Bank cam by the Club that day to see the bank’s investment at work, meeting kids one-on-one and reading some of their favorite books.
While many programs have community leaders come in and read to the children, Wright decided to flip the idea and have the children read to the bank representatives. This not only helps the children to improve their reading skills but also helps them learn leadership skills as well, she said.
“It’s great to get Citizens into our doors and for our kids to meet community members who believe in their future,” Wright said. “Citizens Bank is equipping our kids to take on those leadership roles.”
Citizens Bank opened its doors on Elk Avenue in 1934, and since that day, the institution has been devoted to the local community it serves, Chairman and CEO Joe LaPorte, III said.
“Our greatest asset will always be our customers, and right now our customers and our community need more than just financial solutions,” LaPorte said.
Youth attending the Club come from a variety of backgrounds, but the Club reports that many need specific, targeted programming if they are to overcome the odds and reach their full potential as adults.
“Our partnership with the Club is one way we’re investing in the future of our customers and our community,” LaPorte said.
While community support has increased for the Club, Wright noted that steep increases in attendance make continued support critical for its success. For more information on the Boys & Girls Club or to see how you can become involved, call (423) 543-2946 or visit www.bgcecc.org.