Portage Township Trustees Department of Parks & Recreation’s regular monthly Board of Director’s meeting seemingly started business as usual, but the April 7th gathering had a fun and surprising twist for its attendees! After Call to Order and Roll Call were announced, the presiding of the meeting was handed over to 17 year old Portage High School Junior and South Haven Club member, Vince Benavidez.
“Trustee Brendan Clancy attended Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County’s Youth of the Year Reception in late February,” states Ron Ranta, director of the South Haven Club. “He was very impressed with all of Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County’s Youth of the Year Candidates and wanted to further showcase and expose their accomplishments to more people. That is when he asked me if our Club’s Youth of the Year, Vince, would be willing to preside over the April Department of Parks and Recreation Board meeting. Without hesitation, both Vince and I agreed!”
In addition to moving the agenda along in a professional manner, Club member Vince received a surprise of his own. At the end of the meeting, several trustees awarded Vince with a proclamation acknowledging his Youth of the Year achievement and Club accomplishments. The Trustees also presented Club Director, Ron Ranta and President of Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County, Ryan Smiley with a $5,000 check in support of after-school programs and services.
“The Portage and South Haven communities are huge advocates of our Clubs and the youth of our communities,” states Ryan Smiley. “I thoroughly enjoyed the Department of Parks and Recreation Board meeting because they highlighted our most precious asset, our youth! Our South Haven Club Director, Ron Ranta understands the importance of developing relationships with community leaders – and involving young people in the democratic process of how our cities and towns work. This was not only a great experience for me, reaffirming the genuine care our communities have toward our youth, but for Vince as he witnessed, firsthand, his local government at work and was honored for the role he plays in making his community better.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County has been opening doors to GREAT FUTURES for Porter County’s youth since 1971. The Clubs provide high quality programs for nearly 5,000 boys and girls in the areas of character and leadership development, educational enhancement, career preparation, health and life skills, the arts and sports, fitness and recreation. For more information on membership, volunteer opportunities or to make a tax deductible donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County, please contact your local Club, call (219) 464-7282 or visit www.bgcpoco.org. Great Futures Start HERE.