Article submitted by James Master, The Pilot News Managing Editor
Boys and Girls Club of Marshall County Chief Executive Officer Andrew Fitzpatrick and Board President Sue Payne came before the Marshall County Commissioners to give an update on the club and to request funding for the operation of the club.
“We’re just trying to reflect on the past,” Fitzpatrick said. He went on to say that since COVID hit in 2020, the Boys and Girls Club has had to navigate through the process of changing budgets, looking at different directions and different ways of support. They’ve had to adjust dates of fundraisers and other events. “You know, in the non-profit world, that changes your cash flow a lot and your budget and when things come in and when you spend things.”
Fitzpatrick said that their summer program is the biggest expense. “We kind of have to navigate around that.”
In the letter that he submitted to the commissioners, he states that in 2020, the club received the normal amount of requested funds, $12,000. Of that amount, half goes to the Plymouth campus and half to the Bremen campus. “Last year when I presented in April, you all weren’t really sure with the funds and the direction and how things were going to go so you let me know I would hear from you, but we didn’t get funds last year from the county. It’s the first time in quite a while that that hasn’t happened and that could be it wasn’t in your budget last year, I’m not sure.”
This year, Fitzpatrick asked that the county consider $12,000 for the Boys and Girls Club.
“Because any funds would really help the Boys and Girls Club and get us back on pace,” said Fitzpatrick.
He stated that the Club is getting back to normal. “We’re lifting our waiting list now and we’re trying to make sure we have the right staffing in place. Our biggest challenge is increasing wages for our staff. We can’t compete even in the area with places like Taco Bell and McDonalds because our wages have traditionally been $8.50 to $10.50 an hour for part-time.”
“It’s critical that we have the right professionals in place because we’re watching children and safety is paramount so we’re trying to increase wages gradually as we go forward and make sure we get the right people in place to hire,” he said. In the summer, more most be hired due to the increased amount of children in the program.
Commissioner Kevin Overmyer and Auditor Julie Fox stated that this year’s funding is already in place. In fact, they’ll receive the funds from the year prior that weren’t received as well.
“That’s terrific, thank you,” Fitzpatrick said.
Overmyer asked about the amount of children that the program sees come through its doors. Fitzpatrick replied that Plymouth has over 100 kids again every day on a regular basis. “That’s gradually been increasing which we’re impressed with and Bremen has been pretty solid.” Bremen averages between 90-100 children a day.
He said that staffing is a bit easier at the Bremen location because some of the staff are seniors from the high school. Plymouth, staffing wise, is the bigger challenge.
Due to COVID forcing the Plymouth Community School Corporation to change the bus routes, Fitzpatrick informed the commissioners that the Club has had to purchase a bus. Having a bus means incurring repair costs, obtaining CDL’s, and other issues.
“We’re keeping pace, we’re keeping up with it,” he said.
