Boys & Girls Club launches fundraiser

The Boys & Girls Club of Seymour provides a safe place for kids to learn and grow.

And support from the community and Jackson County United Way helps ensure that many boys and girls have a place to go during the summer and after school for the many programs the club offers to them.

"It allows us to be open so the kids have a place to go after school; where they can work on homework or get involved with other programs that we have," Jeff Joray, unit director of the club, said of its funding.

Even though the club receives funds through United Way, the Boys & Girls Club does an annual fundraiser to help make up the shortfall. This year's fundraiser chairman, Galen Krumme, said the event helps to support the club's overall operations.

"Along with that (the fundraiser) and the United Way dollars, it allows us to keep the programs that we have and to add new programs, and to maintain a quality staff," Joray said.

Executive Director Steve Stanfield added the fundraiser helps maintain current programs.

"They're built into our budget, so if we don't get it (the funding) from the fundraiser, we will have to cut back on something," Stanfield said.

The first part of the fundraiser for the club included corporate donations from more than a hundred businesses donating anywhere from $250 to $5,000. Stanfield said they are now getting into their general sales, which come in at $5, $15 and $25.

The general sales include chances to win one of 13 prizes donated by different organizations in the community. This year's grand prize is a $5,000 cash prize donated by the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Chances are being sold in different packages; single purchase is $5, four chances for $15, 6 chances for $25 and 30 for $100.

Anyone interested in buying a chance to win a prize or make a donation to the Boys and Girls Club may visit Wal-Mart Supercenter in Seymour next week. Staff members will set up outside the store Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., selling chances.

Staff members will also be set up at Bus Stock, July 28 through July 31, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The drawing for the 13 prizes will take place at Bus Stock at 5 p.m. Aug. 1.

Chances may also be purchased through staff members and board members.

"We try to place a big emphasis on our board members through corporate solicitations as well as individual solicitations," Krumme said.

Last year the organization brought in $78,000. This year they hope to bring in $88,000 to $89,000.
"One thing we like about this fundraiser is we are only doing it one time a year and we aren't knocking on people's doors all the time," Stanfield said. "I think they appreciate that and it works well for us."

"Thank you to the community for continuing to support the efforts, programming of the Seymour's Boys and Girl's Club," Krumme said.

The Boys and Girls Club closed its doors Friday for maintenance and cleaning. The club will reopen when school starts Aug. 12.

Hours during the school year are from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Boys and Girls Club averages 175 to 200 kids per day.

Prizes Include:

Grand prize: $5,000 Cash Prize. Courtesy Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Second prize: Rhythm Dynamic Wave Sound Clock and a $200 gift card. Courtesy of Hendrix Pool and Patio.

Third prize: $1,000 Savings bond. Courtesy of Indiana Bank and Trust.

Fourth prize: $1,000 Savings bond. Courtesy of Irwin Union Bank.

Fifth prize: $1,000 Savings bond. Courtesy of National City Bank.

Sixth prize: $500 Gift Card. Courtesy of JayC Food Store.

Seventh prize: RCA 26" LCD/DVD/HDTV. Courtesy of Wal-Mart.

Eighth prize: Sony SR45 Handy Cam Camcorder. Courtesy of Wal-Mart.

Ninth prize: Ten $50 gift cards to area restaurants. Courtesy of AVI Food Systems.

10th prize: Free 14" Two item Pizza for one year. Courtesy Pizza for Palace.

11th prize: Free Car Washes (a $500 value). Courtesy Seymour Express Car Wash. (Some restrictions apply.)

12th prize: One Free Pizza (one topping) a week for 52 weeks. Courtesy of Papa Johns.

13th prize: A session and 1-10x13 matted/framed. Courtesy The Studio Photography.