Coach Bielema: Boys & Girls Club have a big impact on youth

The Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club honored some of its most deserving members and volunteers on Wednesday (Mar. 18) evening at its Youth of the Year banquet. The annual event drew FSBGC supporters, community leaders, volunteers, and members, as well as special guest speaker University of Arkansas Football Coach Bret Bielema.

Sponsored by the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club Alumni & Friends Association, the evening kicked off with dinner and a welcome by Master of Ceremonies Daren Bobb. Guests also enjoyed a slideshow celebrating the organization's rich past and "great future."

Several award presentations then followed, beginning with two special honors, the "Champion of Youth" and  "Sponsor of the Year" awards. Sam T. Sicard, president and CEO of Fort Smith-based First Bank Corp., was recognized with the Champion of Youth honor for his long-standing commitment to the Club and numerous other organizations. In addition to serving on the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club Board of Directors, Sicard is a member of the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Foundation Board and is the Founder of Step Up, Speak Out!, a movement to raise community awareness about child abuse and promote prevention education.

Fort Smith-based Carman Trucking was presented with the Sponsor of the Year Award. Founded in 1985, the family-owned company has been a long-time supporter of FSBGC, through sponsorships of various projects and teams. Owners Greg and Eric Carman accepted the award on behalf of the company.

Each of the four Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club Units then presented awards to its respective Youths of the Year. Youth of the Year is the "premier recognition program for Club members, promoting service to Club, community and family; academic success; strong moral character; life goals; and poise and public speaking ability." Honorees included Madison Needham, Evans Unit; Abby Whitson, Goldtrap Unit;  Asia Huff, Jeffrey Unit;  and Yuri Richardson, Stephens Unit. Darren Runke was also honored as a Youth of the Year finalist.

Units also presented "Volunteer of the Year" Awards. The selection process for the Volunteer of the Year allows Club volunteers to vote on the top volunteer recipients for each unit.  More than 400 volunteers are active at the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs participating in a variety of programs, including mentoring, tutoring, sports, arts and fundraising. Recipients were Matt White, Evans Unit; Daniel Murphy, Goldtrap Unit; Jennifer Hinkle-Stuckey,  Jeffrey Unit; and Rashad McGill, Stephens Unit.

Following the awards presentations, Bobb introduced Coach Bret Bielema. During his talk, Bielema shared stories of his childhood and joked about being raised in a small town on a farm.

"I grew up in a town with 1,800 people and on a farm with 2,500 pigs," said Bielema. "There were more pigs than there were people. That is probably why I became coach of the Razorbacks."

Bielema said his parents provided a firm foundation which helped set him on the right path. He remarked that unfortunately many young men and women do not have the same level of support, further facilitating the need for Boys & Girls Clubs.

"When I began recruiting young men across the country, the common thing I kept hearing about was the Boys & Girls Club," said Bielema. "I began to realize the impact that clubs across the country have on youth. This made a huge statement to my heart."

After encouraging Club members, staff, and volunteers to continue their involvement with the Club, Bielema shared a few words about the Razorbacks and the upcoming season.

"This is the most talented, hard working, and most gifted in terms of football IQ team that I have ever had here," said Bielema. "It is going to be a great season."

The Fort Smith Boys and Girls Clubs operates four units, as well as Hunts Park on Dodson Avenue. The organization boasts membership of more than 3,300 and has served the community for more than 85 years. Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club is a proud United Way of Fort Smith Area Community Partner.