AURORA, Ohio — Participants took a few warmup shots on the putting green, before dozens of golf carts headed for the fairway to tee off for a great cause.
"We are blessed to have our annual Taco Bell golf event, here at Barrington. And we've had it for many, many, many years," said Allen Smith, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Ohio.
27 years, to be exact. Smith says the money raised on Monday is crucial, especially since the club's $3-million in federal funding wasn't renewed.
"So these funds go directly into our general operating fund and they go to support paying for staff, paying for programs," Smith said. "We've had a lot of coverage lately about our deficit and these funds will go directly to help us keep clubs open this fall."
That's why Pacific Bells president, Scott Shepherd says he's proud of his company's involvement in the charity golf outing.
"It's important to us because we employ a little over 4,000 youth across our company, and they're certainly a major part of our business. We couldn't be successful without them," Shepherd said. "The Boys and Girls Club is such a great conduit for us to partner with because they reach out to the kids in need in a way that we would never be able to and provide support for them."
Jayla Vanhorn knows this firsthand. So I've been going to the Boys and Girls Clubs now since I was 10 years old. So I've been there, well I'm 22 now, so almost a decade," she said.
It gave her a safe space when her mom was a working single mom.
"She always wanted us to be out and always learning. And so one day my friend came to me and was like, 'Hey, the Boys and Girls Club is right up the street. Let's check it out,'" Jayla said.
The wisdom she's learned is on par with how far Jayla has come. In fact, Jayla is our intern here at WKYC.
"I always tell people that if it wasn't for the Boys and Girls Club, I literally wouldn't be here today. I wouldn't be here talking to you today," Jayla said.
"They're getting an opportunity to come to the club every day and engage with positive role models. They're getting exposure trips," Smith said. "We have a bunch of great staff members and volunteers who really love young people. And so there's a mutual benefit, not just for Jayla, but also for us."
If you'd like to help the Boys and Girls of Northeast Ohio, click HERE.
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