Youth Unmuted

Ep. 3 - Golf, Community, And Brighter Futures

• Boys & Girls Club of Benton County • Season 1 • Episode 3

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Joy is a powerful teacher—and at our Fall Classic at Topgolf, joy meets purpose to fuel real wins for kids in Benton County. We brought sponsors, board members, and community partners together in one lively space to raise funds, share stories, and spotlight the programs that turn club kids into confident leaders who carry their skills from the clubhouse to school, work, and beyond.

We kick off with our presenting sponsor, Mobil 1, on why we pivoted from a traditional golf tournament to Topgolf: connection. When everyone gathers in one place, introverts and golf pros alike, the energy changes. You hear how camaraderie turns into commitment and why the event now fills up in weeks. The conversation widens with leaders from Walmart who champion starting early, surrounding youth with mentors, and making learning joyful through hands-on programs like our Youth Unmuted podcast.

We go deeper with partners like Mondelez and Celebrate Arkansas, who share practical wisdom on authenticity, grit, and the life-changing power of being seen. You’ll hear about former Youth of the Year winners thriving, teens discovering their voice on a magazine cover, and the simple habit that compounds into growth: show up and improve a little every day. Board members reflect on two decades of impact, call the club a game changer for families, and outline what it will take to keep pace with regional growth—more sites, more mentors, and a community that keeps saying yes.

Amid playful golf questions and hype songs, a clear message stands out: belonging builds confidence, confidence shapes character, and character creates brighter futures. If you care about youth development, mentorship, robotics, sports, or simply building a stronger Benton County, you’ll find a reason to lean in.

If this moved you, subscribe to Youth Unmuted, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who believes in showing up for the next generation.

SPEAKER_00:

Welcome back everyone. My name is Holden and I am your host for the Youth Unmuted Podcast. This is a team-led podcast with the Boys and Girls Club of Benton County where we share unique stories that relate to today's youth. Let's get started. In today's episode, you will hear from our sponsors, donors, and supporters for the Boys and Girls Club of Benton County at our annual fall classic at Talp Golf fundraising event. This is presented by Mobile One. This event helps raise money to ensure kids these days will always be a hole in one for brighter futures. Your co-host today will be Ashley, Director of Programs at Boys and Girls Clubs. She has been with the movement for over 16 years. Let's hear from our best friend Ashley.

SPEAKER_05:

My best friend Holden kicked it off. Thank you for letting me allow to take the mic today. We're here at Top Golf for our Fall Classic event for Boys and Girls Club Event County. Today I'm going to be talking with sponsors, our presenting sponsor, Mobile One, also some board members, chair events, and supporters of the club. So we're ready to get this kicked off. Let's go. I'm here with Vernon Solis, North American retail account manager with ExxonMobil. Mobile One is the presenting sponsor of our Fallen Classic at Top Call event today. And Vernon is also a board member of our uh board of directors. So how are you doing today, Vernon?

SPEAKER_13:

I'm doing all right, Ashley. What about you?

SPEAKER_05:

I'm doing fantastic. Weather is perfect. I can't complain.

SPEAKER_13:

Oh, it is. This is an amazing event. Um, you know, I think this is one of the last events for the Boys and Girls Club of Venn County. And what a great, what a great day, what a great time to bring all these sponsors and employees from all these sponsors together.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah, absolutely. Um, so can you tell us why Mobile One chose to be a sponsor at this?

SPEAKER_13:

Yeah, so Mobile One chose to be a sponsor of this event. Um, I think it's coming up over 25 years. It used to be um a tournament, golf tournament. Um, and as they were building this um facility, we thought, what if we change it up a little bit to bring other individuals of these sponsors together that may not play golf, but they want to socialize, they want to be with other sponsors, they want that camaraderie and that ability to engage with the boys and girls club. So uh meeting with the board, we said let's let's pivot, let's meet and move this to the top golf. And now it's history every year now it gets uh busier, and um, it's pretty cool when you see the booth's um commitment um get essentially gets full in about a week or two now because of that.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah, I love that. I love how it brings everyone together. Um a traditional golf course can kind of split everyone up. So uh, and that really builds up the community, builds up the camaraderie, the competitiveness. And so I'm really glad that we, you know, adapted and tried something new, and now it's working out really well.

SPEAKER_13:

Oh, I agree. And um, plus I think it also um you know breaks down the barriers of I gotta be a golfer. This basically I think levels out everybody's talent to go, let's just have fun. That's what the the commonality is is hey, go want to have fun and want to socialize. So I think those are to me are some of the greatest um skills everybody should have is just to have fun and um socialize.

SPEAKER_05:

Right. And if you're not a true golfer, I mean you're acting like one today at least.

SPEAKER_13:

Absolutely, absolutely. I think um we saw somebody wear wearing a whole checker golf outfit, which is cool. So people are dressing up for this event uh just to have fun and enjoy the good time.

SPEAKER_05:

Awesome. Thank you for that.

SPEAKER_13:

Thank you.

SPEAKER_05:

What does the phrase Benton County needs club kids mean to you when you hear it?

SPEAKER_13:

There we go. Um, when I when I hear that phrase, what it means to me is you know, the the club kids of Benton County are the future for the county, absolutely and the community. And you know, I've had the the fortunate opportunity, as well as many others have. Um, I think there's many more that need to see what goes on in the Bent County Boys and Girls Club to see these kids and where they become and where they mature. You know, I recently was um at a Walmart shopping. Uh and when I was there, I heard I heard a unique voice out there and I turned around and it was actually one of the Benton County Youth of the Year um recipients of a few years ago working there. And what was amazing was hearing how he was talking to um customers, um, his politeness, his leadership, um, and seeing that the skills that he learned at the Boys and uh Boys and Girls Club, he was applying it into where he was working, and he was working so he could go to school to even better himself even more. So that's the part where we always wonder what happens when the kids come come to the Benton County units. Where do they go? What do they do in life? And to see that happening and them having goals, that's to me, that's what it means is is we're developing the kids to better themselves and to share that um that inspiration across the entire county and world.

SPEAKER_05:

I'm not gonna lie, you gave me goosebumps with that story. So thank you for sharing that. That's inspirational, it's impactful, and uh I'm so glad that you shared that on here so others can hear of uh the impact that the club is making, but also your sponsorship is making for organization as well. So still have the goosebumps rolling, and and this is what it's all about, you know, it is making a difference, making an impact.

SPEAKER_13:

It is. I get I guess when I saw saw that young man and I I said, I've heard you, I've seen you speak, you know, he is almost speechless. And and and it was but he was proud too because it it caused him to reflect back um about that time. So it was really neat because he never knew where there could be a boys and girls club um sponsor or board member or even one of his mentors showing up to see that amazing.

SPEAKER_05:

I I love to hear that he was speechless because I bet he really never thought that someone that you know that that impact was being made on someone like you. Um and so uh thank you for you know sharing that, but also talking talking with him. I mean, that that's what really builds youth for a greater future.

SPEAKER_13:

It does.

SPEAKER_05:

Uh I appreciate that so much. Um so what is your favorite part about this event?

SPEAKER_13:

You know, the our favorite part of this event is seeing all these sponsors um come together. Um new new new um employees of these sponsors, those that have been here as part of the community, anchored in this community, all come together, all talk. Obviously, being competitive is one thing, but the greatest thing is seeing them all together in one element. You know, we have opportunities elsewhere where you're at a golf tournament, 18 holes, everybody gets spread out, but here it brings it all together, um, and it enables everybody to talk. You know, you get to see um some of the uh boys and girls club leadership, you see the boy Boys and Girls Club board members, you see folks um you know, our hosts or our um honorees that are here from Walmart, all conversing with uh people that are participating here. So it brings everybody into a more uh nuclear, nucleus uh place to meet and socialize.

SPEAKER_05:

So what I'm hearing is a sense of community. It brings a sense of community, and uh that is what this world needs is just community-driven, uh community-led, and and uh that's just inspiring to be a part of.

SPEAKER_13:

Yeah, and I would even say that it's amazing to hear you know how quickly this this event fills up. Yeah, you know, I remember that it would take us two or three months. Now it it's it's hopping in in a week and two. So that means that people like this event, people are preparing for this event, and I mean, come on, the weather's amazing today.

SPEAKER_03:

You can't beat the weather, beat the weather.

SPEAKER_13:

You know, so I I think that's a great way, um, you know, be in October, but everybody is coming here for this event and and they're expecting it. So I think that's a great uh test to what the boys and girls club is doing and having an event like this to bring everybody together.

SPEAKER_05:

Absolutely. And you mentioned competitive. Do you play golf?

SPEAKER_13:

Oh, I I can play golf. I, you know, I I here here's what I'd say is I'm associated with the legends, like a tiger woods and all them. You know, you talk about legends. You know, you talk about Tiger Woods and Lee Torino, uh, all those. Same group, I get talked to too because I'm so bad. So I'm the one that does shots that nobody ever thought would happen. So I get talked about because I'm not that good, but I'm but if you think about it, if you talk about a legend, so I'm in that accompaniment. If I was average, you wouldn't talk about me. So I'm proud to say that I'm I'm not good, but I'm also discussed about in the same context of legends that we know about.

SPEAKER_05:

Okay. Um, I'm gonna have to check out your your swinging skills later and see if that's that's true. Uh, but who do you think, in your opinion, is the the best golfer around?

SPEAKER_13:

Uh, you know, that that's that's an interesting one. Um, no, because I don't watch it, but I grew up watching legends like Gary Player, Ali Trevino, you know, watching those individuals play and how they approach the game. And you got Bubba Watson. So those are the ones that I look at and how they did it. You know, you got technology now that makes it a lot easier. And here were these individuals that were just trying to play golf for what it was. So, you know, I look at the legends as the infamous players out there um that you know I used to watch a chip. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_05:

Um, another question for you. Uh, what inspired you to join our board?

SPEAKER_13:

Yeah, so I what inspired me to join the board was, you know, obviously as we were a sponsor and we're just coming to the activities, um, the opportunity presented itself to do more. Um, not only do more from a sponsor sponsor level, but as well get more community involved with um the board is an amazing group of individuals um that I've become great friends with. Um and their talents, what I call out of work and into the non-for-profit arena. Some of it is the same, and then others, it's quite different. And you can see that passion from each of those individuals that I wanted to be part of of hey, what can we do to help grow the Boys and Girls Club of Benton County, not only in the community, but across the US? The awareness in that board with all the multitude of talents from suppliers and and Walmart um made me um feel like that was a great, a great fit for me to be part of.

SPEAKER_05:

Thank you so much. Uh thank you for sharing that. Thank you for taking time today to be involved, not only in this and fit, but this podcast that uh we're just happy to be a part of and happy to launch off and represent for Holden today. Um but I hope you go out and have fun and uh you know enjoy.

SPEAKER_13:

Yeah, no, I will. Um I guess the only one thing I would add, if you don't mind, Ashley, is yeah, you know, for the kids, you know, the one thing I would tell every kid that goes into the Benn County Boys and Girls Club, hopefully they're listening to this podcast. You know, a guy's got Holden that's kind of I guess the becoming the MC of it, but try it. Try even being part of this podcast. But the other part is, you know, thank those that are at the boys and girls club, um, your your leaders and all that. Thank them, tell them something new that you did that was exciting, give a smile to somebody, you know. Everybody wants to help everybody, so lend that handout and also just continue to become part of the boys and girls club, you know, the Keystone Club, because it does pay dividends out there, even though it may not make sense today, it will make sense down the road.

SPEAKER_05:

I appreciate that. Um, that is some words of wisdom and and very thought-provoking to so uh thank you for that.

SPEAKER_13:

Thanks, Ashley. Thank you.

SPEAKER_05:

So joining today are a couple of girl bosses, I think, in my opinion. Uh Brittany Smith, VP of Merchandising Toys at Walmart, and Courton Carlson, SVP private private brands journal general merchandise at Walmart. Thank you both for your commitment to the club and um being a part of this uh this event. So uh if you can if you can tell me what made you want to be a chair of this event.

SPEAKER_04:

Yeah, let me go to well when I was asked to be a chair of this event, I was like, why not? It is at a great location, it's one great cause. We're gonna be outside a beautiful day. And I always love to give back to the community. So it was a no-brainer for me to sign up for this cause. So I'm just happy to be. Thank you.

SPEAKER_06:

I agree. And when I heard Brittany was here, um, in all seriousness, I think as Brittany said, this is such a great event. The way that you see teams come together and build community and doing that together for good. It's also a more intimate event than some of our other events and gets to have the joy of teen, the joy of play all for the boys and girls club.

SPEAKER_05:

Um, and it's always a delight to even help. Awesome. Well, thank you. We we're we appreciate that you're here and joining us today. Um, so why do you believe supporting the Boys and Girls Club of Bendon County is so important?

SPEAKER_06:

I think um for me, and I sit on the board as well and have had the privilege to be close to the organization for the last four years. Just so much of how our youth are successful today is it starts when you're young and it starts who you're surrounded by and influenced by. When I think back on my own childhood, my family certainly influenced me, but I think of all the teachers, the leaders, the coaches, the friends that really shaped who I am. And I'm so committed to youth development for that reason. I think if you start early, you go far. And I'm so passionate about the club and the opportunity to be involved and in all the programming that you all do is exceptional. And um, really make sure that all the programming we do do is so well known. Um, we go far beyond care um on the sides of school days. We really prefer on our youth toward their future. Um, and we're so celebrated by the ability that has helped too. Absolutely. Thank you.

SPEAKER_04:

Yeah, uh, I would agree with Fortney. Um, I grew up in Texas County, Texas, and the Boys and Girls Club was like a staple in my household. Um, my brothers and I would look forward to every day. How can we get to the boys and girls club? How early can we get there? And the people that we interacted with like help shape who we are today. It really just motivates you of like, how can you be there for the youth that are up and coming and make sure that they have the opportunities that have been afforded to me? So it's important for me to try and give back. And within Bin County, man, there's so many opportunities available to us and just making sure that the youth have those same opportunities. Um, just like earlier, we were talking about how the Boys and Girls Club is now doing a podcast. That's amazing. If you think about meeting the youth where they're at and helping them understand, like we love TikTok, you love social. Why not learn how to do a podcast and how to become a podcaster? So I think there's so many opportunities available, and I'm just cash about how do we help our youth and continue to grow in the community.

SPEAKER_05:

I love that you shared a personal story to that. So thank you so much. And I love that you mentioned um, you know, just this podcast in general because it really helps develop our youth and as far as storytelling, being confident and being able to have an interview or host an interview or share an interview or anything like that. So I really thank you for putting those things out. I appreciate that. Um, what do you hope attendees take away from this event today?

SPEAKER_04:

Um, one, let's raise some money. So let's have a good time and make sure we raise money for uh the boys and girls club, but hanging out with your coworkers, having a good time, talking about what we can do differently for the youth of Bidden County. Um, and of course, everyone wants to win. I'm pretty competitive, so there's probably some people out there hoping that they win as well. But number one, how do we just show up and donate for the boys and girls club?

SPEAKER_05:

You can always give your time to anybody, whether that's just listening, um, advocating, um, you know, just being just giving your time. I think that is a valuable trait and skill that we should and you know empower youth and others to really use more often. Um so if you had to sum up this event in one word, just one word. I know that's gonna be really hard. What would that word mean?

SPEAKER_06:

Add it? I I'd say community, but I want to say community feels community. Yeah.

SPEAKER_04:

Um, I'm gonna use the word joy, right? I hope that this event sparked joy within the community, within the people who are here, within our youth. And how do we just continue to encourage them to be joyful and be useful um in everything that they do? So that would be my work. I love that.

SPEAKER_05:

I always like to say, um, do something that brings you joy today. And how could this not bring you joy? Supporting the club, supporting our kids, supporting our mission. And so you really just appreciate you guys being here, advocating for the club, and you know, just connecting with individuals to get the word out there about what we do as an organization. So we can't thank you enough for everything that you guys contribute to us because it takes a village, and we're really happy and proud that you're a core of ours. Here with our friend Greg. Uh so can you tell us what organization you work for and uh and what you do?

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah, absolutely. So my name is Greg Bullpendesta. I'm with Mondeleese International, and I'm on the biscuit business. So we represent brands like Oreo, Chips Ahoy, Ritz, some of the consumer favorites. And I have now been here since uh January of 2025. So been with the organization now for uh coming up on nine months.

SPEAKER_05:

That's amazing. I do have to ask, what is your favorite product from there that you eat?

SPEAKER_02:

Gosh, we have a really vast portfolio, one that actually spans outside of those things that I just mentioned with cookie and cracker. We also have uh protein bars, we have confectioner products, and the thing that I typically gravitate towards though is going to be protein bars. Cliff, peanut butter banana is my absolute favorite.

SPEAKER_05:

I had that one recently. Thanks to you. It's really great. But uh yeah, I just needed to know that. Um so can you tell us um if you could tell the kids at the club one thing, what would it be?

SPEAKER_02:

Absolutely. So as I think of my my life, my career journey, um, what is incredibly important as far as career progression and just making genuine relationships is being true to yourself. And being true to yourself, whether it be an interview, whether it be um in determining what it is you want to do for the remainder of your life outside of work or in work, being true to yourself, not trying to conform to what others' uh expectations of you are, um, is likely going to serve you incredibly well. If you can be your genuine self and appeal to those that um are similar in thinking, but going to push you, I think that that is uh uh an equation for success. Surround yourself by those that are additionally genuine and have a care for you. That is going to be something that, again, is uh a fantastic equation for success.

SPEAKER_05:

I love that. Thank you. I hope you're listening, teams. We gave great advice on that. Um, so what is your favorite part about coming to this top calling for Boys and Girls Club?

SPEAKER_02:

Gosh. Not only is it just this event alone, but it is everything that the Boys and Girls Club puts on. It is one where you guys are very present within the community. And there are a lot of CPG companies within uh this area that are supporting Walmart. And uh what we see is that the Boys and Girls Club is a fantastic organization that is uh building what the future is for not only this community, but communities all across the country. And the the more that we're able to come up and support y'all, the greater that our community and the the rest of I think other communities are going to benefit. So um, it is the impact that y'all are making. And while this is an incredibly fun event, it is more so the mission that you guys stand behind that um is the bright spot for me coming out. Uh we are we are constantly in our worlds of our Monday through Friday, and it looks probably very different than y'all's is. And as as challenging as we think our jobs are, the impact that you guys have on a daily basis and the challenges that you experience are are things that I think we need to take note of and show up for. And that is exactly what we're here to do. And we thank you for this event.

SPEAKER_05:

Well, we can't do it without y'all either. We can't do it without supporters like you um showing up and uh and advocating for the club and letting the community know uh we're more than just a daycare, we're we're not a babysitting club. We we instill those life skills. So um it takes you advocating for us and so we appreciate your partnership and and showing up for us. Um so if you were a club kid today, what program would you be most excited to join?

SPEAKER_02:

As I reflect on my childhood and some of my most formative years, I think that there are a couple of things that stand out, one of which is sports and all your sporting programs and just building a sense of community and being able to um work with somebody that is side by side with you in a similar mission, whether it be just through the development of uh camaraderie through team building, or if it is having uh a goal of winning, those are the things that I reflect back on in my childhood that are incredibly important to me. But outside of that, it is having mentors and mentors, whether it be within my personal life or my professional life, and uh being able to provide that sort of support for club kids, I think is incredibly important. Whether or not it's recognized in the day in which it is happening. I think that there is a point of reflection that is going to take place in every one of these uh club kids' lives, and they're gonna say, you know, this person did influence me and positive and positively influence me. And these are the things that I think in tandem with one another um sports and being able to have collaboration with others and build um build the the right skill sets as far as communication are concerned, drive to win, those are highly important, but having the right people surrounded by you, steering you in a direction that is ultimately, ultimately going to be beneficial for yourself and your community and the greater good. I think that those things are incredibly powerful.

SPEAKER_05:

Well, I mean, you were gonna say if you took the word out of my mouth, uh powerful. That was a very powerful um you know statement that you gave us. And so we appreciate uh the impact that you're giving us and the message that you're sending to our teens out there and other viewers that are gonna be watching this later on. Um, do you have any final thoughts that you would like to share with with me or with this new podcast that we have coming up?

SPEAKER_02:

I I would say, again, thank you for putting on this event. Thank you for putting on all of the events that are within the community. Continue to do great work. The community will continue to show up for y'all. And please don't hesitate to let us know if there's anything that we could do, um, whether it be through our physical involvement, whether it be through mentorship, whether it be through anything that you guys have a need for, I think that there is a great desire from all of us to contribute. Awesome. Thank you so much. Go have fun. Awesome. Thank you.

SPEAKER_05:

Would you rather play 18 holes and flip-flops or use only one club the entire round?

SPEAKER_07:

I have uh really bad feet. So one club the entire round. If I played golf and flip-flops, I wouldn't be able to walk for two weeks. Okay, like it would be bad. So one club, give me a seven iron. I'll I would I wouldn't do bad because I would just be like uh calm with the club. I wouldn't try to overhit, but man, my feet would be torn up if I tried to wear flip-flops all around.

SPEAKER_05:

So it's confidence in the club, but not confidence in his feet.

SPEAKER_07:

Don't trust my feet.

SPEAKER_05:

Thank you so much. All right now. All right, all right now. Oh boy. If you could instantly become the best at any sport, what would you choose?

SPEAKER_10:

Uh fishing. Fishing.

SPEAKER_05:

Oh.

SPEAKER_10:

I know, right? Okay. I'm I'm nerding out about it lately.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah, a certain fish that we're fishing for or I mean, I like trout.

SPEAKER_10:

They're fun.

SPEAKER_05:

All right. Do you think you could pull off happy Gilmore?

SPEAKER_10:

Wait, wait, let's go back. There's not much money in that. Something else. Football, basketball. Retracted? Well, yeah, because I I mean, then I can buy all the fishing stuff I want. Oh, there you go. Oh, sorry.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah, you're good. I love it. Um, do you think you could pull off the happy Gilmore's famous swing shot?

SPEAKER_10:

I think so.

SPEAKER_05:

Okay. Well, what should we try?

SPEAKER_10:

It's no running, but I won't tell if you don't tell.

SPEAKER_05:

I won't tell.

SPEAKER_10:

All right, fair. Good.

SPEAKER_05:

Thank you. If your golf bag could talk, what would it say about your game? You need a little work. Maybe practice makes perfect.

SPEAKER_06:

Gonna have to get it out more often.

SPEAKER_05:

Okay. All right. I'll hit you with another one. Um, what would your hype song be as you're teeing off? If you're teeing off, what would your hype song be?

SPEAKER_06:

Counter the last question, but all I do is win-win-win.

SPEAKER_05:

Uh that was definitely a counter. Thank you for participating. Would you rather play 18 holes in the rain or in a hundred degree heat?

SPEAKER_09:

Oh, a hundred degree heat. That's I mean, that's an Arkansas summer, so that's easy.

SPEAKER_05:

Okay. Very confident in that. I love that. Would you rather play golf with your favorite pro or your best friend?

SPEAKER_09:

Probably favorite pro favorite pro, you know, once in a lifetime kind of opportunity.

SPEAKER_05:

So that's one way to look at it. Yeah. I would have chose my best friend because I wouldn't get judged.

SPEAKER_09:

Oh, they judge me even harder than the friend.

SPEAKER_05:

Absolutely. Thank you so much. What is your lucky charm or ritual before you hit the ball?

SPEAKER_14:

My lucky charm, my ritual. Um, making sure I have my eye on the ball. Um that's important. Yeah, that's 100% important. Um, but I also, every single time I uh put the glove in my hand, I always twist my wrist three times.

SPEAKER_05:

Three times?

SPEAKER_14:

Three times.

SPEAKER_05:

Why is it three? That's a very odd number.

SPEAKER_14:

It's just always been something that every single time I do it, I hit the ball somewhat decently.

SPEAKER_05:

Okay. I love it. Um, so golf clap or full on cheering?

SPEAKER_14:

Oh, full on cheering. That's right. So you want the hype. Absolutely. All right. On all the energy you could possibly have.

SPEAKER_05:

Okay, so show me.

SPEAKER_14:

Well, should I do just a regular just Yeah, there we go.

SPEAKER_05:

Thank you so much. So I have Drew Collin here, who is the president of our board right now. Can you tell us how long you've been serving as a board member in general for the Boys and Girls Holden Counties? It's been over 20 years, Ashley. Wow. That is a long time, and that is such a great impact that you're making. 20 years, how does that feel?

SPEAKER_01:

It feels like yesterday. It feels like yesterday. Yeah, I started um when we moved to the area, my son was uh maybe third or fourth grade, and he joined the basketball league, and then I coached basketball uh for the youth. And then we started getting involved with um at the time I was with Newell, and you know, we had various things at the office. We would drop them all per Tom. Um, and we just got involved that way, and then Teresa asked me to join the board.

SPEAKER_05:

Wow, that is amazing.

SPEAKER_01:

And did you did you volunteer before just through the sports program or just because Yeah, I I I yes through that, and then through, you know, if they needed something, I was I guess I was there for them and they said, Oh, this guy might be o work out okay.

SPEAKER_05:

So And then you fell in love and you're still here 20 years later.

SPEAKER_01:

Yes.

SPEAKER_05:

That is admirable, and I really appreciate that dedication. Um how has serving on the board changed your perspective on our community?

SPEAKER_01:

Well, I would say if you're more informed about the needs of the community, and had if I wasn't involved, I wouldn't understand all the needs that are out there. And I'd be in a little world of everything's great, and we're fortunate to be here in a wonderful community working with the best company in the world, and um have great schools, city, you know, hospitals, etc. But but there's so much need and um and I wouldn't know about that unless I was involved.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah, I love that. Um and your opinion, and what makes the club unique compared to other youth programs?

SPEAKER_01:

Well, I think one is we're there for them, you know, 365 days a year, roughly. I mean almost, with the exception of weekend. So we're we're there for 'em year round. So that's one difference. We're there for them for a long deep of time, from you know, from first grade all the way up through high school, you know, we're there for 'em. We're there for them in their athletic events after school, we're there for them after school programs, and then the mentoring and the learning and the leadership and how like, you know, you've done such an outstanding job running our ETH of a year for years. And then to see how those individuals change from when you start working with them and then you know, after what they get through the program, it's just it's incredible. And so that that's what's fun to see. And I think what it kind that really sets us apart in the area out of tanning.

SPEAKER_05:

Well, I really appreciate that the kind words with that. Um, you've done a great job. I appreciate that. I um I love what I do. I love making the impact on the youth, but I do know that we're not able to do that without a board members who gore into us and bore into us professionally, um, personally. And so I I can I commend you on helping us uh in all aspects.

SPEAKER_01:

So well, we don't help you enough. You do a great job on your own. So we we need to be there aboard for it.

SPEAKER_05:

Well, I mean, you're doing a great job. But what excites you most about the future of the Boys and Girls School of Bend County?

unknown:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

Oh my gosh. Uh, and we're working on it right now. Um we have several committees working on it. But you know, if you you know look at the growth that's happened in this area and 44 families moving in here every day, you know, into Northwest, Arkansas. So we've got to be prepared for that. Growth and you know we're needed in so many different areas and cities. Um but it's been fun to see where we've expanded, you know, with their 13 sites in Mole, you know, where we are today and CORD serving 425 children there after school. But you know, there's a lot of other cities that are you know need our help, you know, and so that's the most exciting thing for me is how we're gonna be prepared for the wonderful growth that we're seeing in the overall community.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah, I mean, absolutely the goal is to always serve more um at the most capacity that we can as we are growing and expanding.

SPEAKER_01:

So um Yeah, I think I think um you're right. We uh we always think about it as how can we serve more children? I mean, really, that's our number one focus. How can we serve more children? How can we do a better job serving the ones that we're working with today? And um, but you know, it's it's you know it's it's one child at a time, it's like Walmart, one store at a time, the same, same process.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah. If you could describe boys and girls living in the county in one word, just one word, what would that word be?

SPEAKER_01:

Oh, you know, it's a it's a game changer for families. Yes. You take a family um that's struggling, that have multiple jobs, a family, a husband and a wife, or a one-person family, you know, what one household that with a couple of children, and to be able to have a safe place for them to go and not only you know go to after school, but learn, get mentorship, uh helping with their homework. I mean, my gosh. And you know, and that's what we're doing for them. I mean, that that's incredible, you know, that's a game changer for a family. Yes.

SPEAKER_05:

Game changer, y'all game changer. That is the word game changer. Um, another thing is y I know you've served on the board for over 20 years. Um but what is some of your favorite or what are some of your favorite events that really tie into the Boys and Girls Club that you want to share with us?

SPEAKER_01:

Well, it would our it definitely would be the the event that you helped the help lead for us, and that's our youth of the year. When I was the vice president and Terry Allen was our president, we we hosted a youth of the year downstairs in the you know, in by the kitchen. Right. And we had four or five tables. Um and I think we had a youth of the year at that time, Ashley. We did it a youth of the year from each club. Right. Okay. Yep. And then we chose a winner. And but to see where that event has come with your leadership, also I I've, you know, Craig Brown's been instrumental. Yes. Um in that, Karen Stuckey as well, yeah, and and changing that whole youth of the year program um and making it what it is today. So two outstanding board members that have really helped us a great deal. So I I you know, I would say that's my probably my favorite one. Yeah. I would have to agree.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah, I'd have to agree, but I it's also because it's my favorite program to run. So uh yeah. Um, or is there anything else that you would like the community to know, or anyone out there that's listening to this um about the Boys and Girls Club, about you being on the board, or anything that you know would tie back to the clubs?

SPEAKER_01:

Well, I guess we we would just love to get, you know, if there's anyone in the community that wants to help us, you know, we would we would love that. We're we have a lot of different volunteer programs. We always need help with, you know, maintenance or facilities, etc. We've had I've had a lot of my friends come over and do readies, you know, classes, you know, as well. Right, uh, that are then retired and and over to do that. Um and we're certainly gonna need their help as we expand and work on a future capital campaign with you know in the future that we're gonna need to have. So we're gonna need that the community support behind that. Yeah. Um, so that was the invite. Awesome.

SPEAKER_05:

Well, I appreciate your time, Drew. Thank you so much. A job, actually. Yeah, thank you. So I'm here with my friend Justin from Celebrate. Um, he is an extraordinary guy, and I'm so happy that he's a part of today's event button, a part of the Boys and Girls Club. But I do want to ask Justin. You used to work for the Boys Girls Club back in the day. So can you tell me about that experience and what it was like for you?

SPEAKER_10:

Uh it was fantastic. Um, one of one of my treasured parts of my life. Uh, it is it was a tough job. It's one I brought home with me all the time. You see kids in need, and it's hard to just be cool with that. But it was incredible getting to to make a a true difference in in kids' lives. And it's been a blast watching them grow uh and stay in the community and become club kids to help uh club kids, you know, in the current times. So it's yeah, it's just been incredible seeing them grow and and uh turning into amazing young men and women.

SPEAKER_05:

Uh yeah, I love that. Um, do you have like a specific like story or moment that just really just impacted you or you made an impact on a youth or a kid that you would be willing to share with us?

SPEAKER_10:

Yeah, I mean, there are several. There there's I think of uh one of my kiddos, Austin Martin, was in Torch Club and uh and then he grew up and was in the military, and and seeing him at a youth of the year event years later as uh at Silver, Arkansas. It was a blast just seeing seeing a kiddo that was 13 when I knew him and growing into an adult that had accomplished some great things and and being been a youth of the year. Uh very exciting. But there's one that stands out to me. There's a kiddo, I won't share his name. Um, but he is he is going through some really tough times. Uh he had a birth defect, he had a few things going on against him. Um and it was just really like he felt out of place at the club, and you could tell he he um he had a chip on his shoulder and he was getting in trouble quite a bit. And one time, I mean, he was kicking and screaming in trouble, swearing at me, and I mean a little guy. Uh, but he was he had a lot of anger, and I got to spend a lot of time with him, and he became a kiddo that really trusted me. Um, and you know, we got to do some some fun things together through the years, and and by the time I was done with my time at the club, I I just seen him, I had seen him grow into a really awesome young kiddo. Um, and I don't know, it it was seeing how his mom too saw what the club was doing and what we at the club were doing for him because we cared about him made a big difference in her too. So it was cool seeing how that um trajectory impacted not only his life but his family's.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah, I mean, thank you for sharing that because I mean it's really just heartwarming to hear stories from people who have worked at the club but now work in a position that you're at with Celebrate. So can you tell us a little bit more about what you do at Celebrate and um and how that involves into the sponsorship with us?

SPEAKER_10:

Sure. Uh I'm the editor and chief at Celebrate Arkansas. Um, and it's uh it's a magazine that's here to help share great stories of of fantastic people and businesses in our area. Um and the way I look at it is we're introducing great people to one another. It's something I really enjoy uh and it ties really nicely into the Boys and Girls Club. Um each year we do an uh issue that's celebrating the youth of the year, um, our April issue. Uh, and it's uh it's tied around the youth of the year event and talking about what you guys at the club do. Um and it helps that I've got a you know intimate knowledge of that from experience. Um, but it's something that I'm passionate about. It's something that we'll continue to do as long as as I'm here. Uh we we love we love the partnership and we love getting to have uh the youth of the year on the cover. I I mean I can't imagine being on the cover of a magazine, um, especially at you know these young ages, 14, 15, 16, you know, 19. Like I I can't imagine that. It's a it's a life-changing thing. Yeah, you get to be at least locally famous for a little bit.

SPEAKER_05:

Um I think you're famous in my book.

SPEAKER_10:

But it's it's really cool to get to hear their stories because their stories are so dramatically different every year. Um, and and seeing what they go on to accomplish, it's a beautiful thing. And you guys do a fantastic job with those kids preparing them for that uh regional and state and national scale. Uh it's it's really cool and exciting that for us to get to root for them. Yeah. Um, so it's it's a blast for me. It's it's it's one of our favorite issues each year.

SPEAKER_05:

I truly cherish our partnership though, because this gives the youth an opportunity to have their face on a magazine and they can't, you know, other youth may not have that opportunity, but it also gets their story out there. Yeah. It gets them, it builds their confidence and it really just sets them apart uh and helps towards their future. And it is my favorite issue. I might be just a little biased. I don't I don't know.

SPEAKER_10:

But well, and I love the give back aspect to it. One of the things that we do with that is our advertisers that work with us on that issue that also support the club. We get to give a portion of that back to the club uh at the youth of the year event. So that's one of my favorite things of the year, too, is handing y'all a check. Uh that's yeah, it's it's it's a blast to get to not only really care about what y'all do, to help share the story, but to put our money where the mouth is too. Yeah. And and yeah, it's it's we love it.

SPEAKER_05:

Absolutely. I think my favorite part too is really when the youth see their their face on the picture, like on the cover of a magazine for the first time. I mean, I just love watching their experience.

SPEAKER_08:

Oh, yeah. It's a confidence builder.

SPEAKER_05:

It is, and it's like there's so much emotion behind it, but there's also that proud factor, like, I did it. Yeah, like, you know, because there's a lot of youth out there that may not feel like they have a voice or they're they feel like they're not being heard. And then they look at themselves on the cover of a magazine, and it's just it yeah, it's just an you're heard moment. Yeah, you are, and here you are, you did it, you're doing amazing things, and that's truly just like one of my favorite moments of of watching them look at themselves.

SPEAKER_12:

Same.

SPEAKER_05:

Um, it's a confidence booster, all those things. So really just appreciate that partnership. It means a lot to me because youth of the year is one of my favorite programs because of what it stands for. Um, but well, I could go on and on about that. And I'm not gonna keep rambling about youth of the year and all that, but um, what's one piece of advice that you would give a club kid or any youth out there?

SPEAKER_10:

Um it's a good question. Um Wow, that's a that's a great question. I I think just lean into lean into the resources around you. I mean, that's that's something that I I try to talk to with the classes that come in at the magazine. Um just just be the best version of yourself that you can be. And there are people around you, especially at the club, that want to pour into you. Uh it's life's a life's a confusing mess most of the time. Yes, you know, but we have support groups and uh being able to learn from people that are steps ahead of you helps you prepare for what you're doing. You can learn lessons the easier way than the hard way, right? Uh, and that that helps you help the feel behind you too. So, I mean, we're all in this together. So, really, I guess my my best advice I'd have for any young person is don't be afraid to to ask for help. You know, the the people that are older than you that have been through things, they they're here to help. And the more help you get, the easier that road is, unless you have to crash into walls on your own.

SPEAKER_05:

Right. That's that's good advice. I mean, well, I might put that to you right now. Less than her, right? Um, is there anything else that you would like to share with um us on this podcast? This is our first podcast.

SPEAKER_10:

Well, I'm excited about the podcast. I think this is great. Uh, I would just say um if you don't know much about the club, learn about it. Talk with people like Ashley that um that care about this. This is not just a job, it's not an occupation, this is a way of life. It's something that you that you've like put upon yourself to to bear and to take care of these kids. Um, it's a noble cause that you are doing as an individual, but that the club is doing as a whole. Uh it's something I truly admire. Um, if you want to volunteer time, if you want to give money, this is a great place to do it because this is a place where differences are made. And club kids help kids. No. I mean, I've I've yet to see a club kid that has gone through the program and not looked back to try to see how they could help other kids. And that's that's what you're doing. It's a generational change.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah. So thank you for being here today and supporting us. Um, can you tell me your name and what organization you work for?

SPEAKER_08:

Yeah, so my name is Dallas Arsenal. Uh, I'm the sales director for the toys business uh at Zuru.

SPEAKER_05:

And can you, I know Zuru is a newer sponsorship, so you can you explain a little bit more about that spot sponsorship and what what exactly outside of toys is Zuru about?

SPEAKER_08:

Yeah, so outside of toys, we're here to make sure that kids can have a good time regardless of kind of where they fall within our community. Uh, it's important for us in our office to like make sure that everyone has a great summer, to make sure that everyone can really enjoy their time outside of school, um, that they can be engaged um in the community. So it's important that we can support the boys and girls club.

SPEAKER_05:

Well, thank you for being here. Thank you for your your newly sponsorship. We can't wait to keep working with you. I know that that some of the things that you guys have donated that kids have absolutely loved. Happy to hear that. Adults too, they're like, I want to take that. It's like, okay, cool. Um, but if you could tell us uh if you could tell kids at the club one thing, what would it be?

SPEAKER_08:

Oh, that's a really good question. I would say build grit and like work at it every day. Like sometimes it's just about showing up and making a little bit more progress than you did the day before, and eventually you will get there.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah, showing up is important, and that's and that's awesome. Thank you for pointing that one out. Um, but if you were a club kid today, uh, what program or what part of the Boys and Girls Club would excite you the most?

SPEAKER_08:

Oh, I'm a big fan of uh your Lego robotics program.

SPEAKER_05:

Okay.

SPEAKER_08:

So if I got to spend time at the club, I would definitely be building some things with robots.

SPEAKER_05:

Awesome. So we are launching that out at our Rogers site and PRIGH site. So I'm gonna have to hit see if you want to come. Yes, we can show up. Show up. I mean, it's new to us self, uh, but it's fun. Kids are thriving off of Lego's robotics and just learning the intricacy of that. So good to know that you're you're gonna jump on board and help us with that. Um, so what is your favorite part about this this event?

SPEAKER_08:

I think so far my favorite part, because I haven't won the hole in one yet. My favorite part is really just spending time with the team. Yeah, um, it's good to get out of the office, right? It's um it's great to have a job that I can enjoy. It's fun selling toys. Yeah, but it's also about the people we work with every day. Um, it's about doing things other than work.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah, absolutely. Um, what is one skill you learned as a kid that still helps you in your career today?

SPEAKER_08:

I moved around a lot as a kid, and I think the ability to just kind of talk to new people, like start up a conversation with strangers, asking them about themselves and being curious has helped a lot. You know, sales is a lot about asking questions and being able to learn how to do that with anyone has been something that served me well.

SPEAKER_05:

Okay, that's good to know. Um, a lot of people, all of our youth may struggle with that, so that's sound advice for that. Um, do you have any other advice that you would give a youth that's wanting to try something new, but maybe don't have that confidence and communication to be able to do stuff?

SPEAKER_08:

Everyone at some point was new at something. Yeah, right? Like you always start off like not knowing how to do something, and then you get like with that grit, you can get out of that awkward phase before you become good at it. Yeah. So I'd say like you're not gonna be good at the start, and that's okay. Right. But keep going and you will be. Okay. Are you good at golf? I am not good at golf. So maybe by the time I leave today, it'll be a little bit better.

SPEAKER_05:

Okay. I mean, I'm not good at golf either, so I have I can't really say anything else. But um, do you have anything else that you'd like to share with us or we're uh or this podcast?

SPEAKER_08:

Uh thank you for having us. It's really it's really great that we can be involved. Um, super excited to continue to be involved with the Boys and Girls Club. Uh we have a couple of events that we're thinking about for y'all next year. Awesome. Specifically around some water balloon fights, uh showing up with some construction bricks and building some fun things. So we're excited.

SPEAKER_05:

Awesome. Well, thank you so much for being here supporting the club and everything that you do for us. Thank you, Ashley. I appreciate it. Appreciate it. So, what was your favorite sport, Clayon?

SPEAKER_13:

From a boys and girls club standpoint, football. Football. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. We uh we were fortunate to start playing tackle football in second grade. So things have changed, right? Right. But boys and girls club tackle football started when we were in second grade. Wow. So that's probably the when I think about playing boys and girls club sports growing up, football's the the focal point.

SPEAKER_05:

Okay. You know, what is when working with youth, what shaped you personally or professionally?

SPEAKER_03:

Honestly, I take a lot of the things that I've done because I worked at the boys and girls club because the kids, they'll ask you anything. Oh yeah. They're so I'm very in the workplace, I'm a little more shy than I'm an outgoing, talkative person, but I think the kids definitely taught me that. Like, you can just say what you feel. Yeah. You can say what's on your mind, and it's fun and you don't need to be shy about it.

SPEAKER_05:

Stephanie, how long have you been a board member with the boys and girls school in Ben County? Uh, right at five years. Five years. Yes. I feel like I've known you a lot longer. Thankfully we have just because that's just me and the energy, the energy. This this one. It's our energy. We we go all in. Yeah. Go all in. I love her energy. I love her inspiration. So can you tell us what is one skill that you learned as a kid that helps you in your career today?

SPEAKER_11:

Uh okay, so I played a lot of sports growing up. Uh played a lot of baseball, a lot of basketball, and I was far from the most athletic kid on my team. Far from the most athletic kid on my team. Um, but I worked really hard. I was the first kid to show up to practice every morning. I was the last kid to show up, uh last kid to go home every night, um, because I loved the game. And, you know, that finding something that you love and being the first person to show up and the last person to go home is a skill that has paid dividends kind of over the last 20 years for me because, you know, just like playing baseball, where I was far from the most talented kid on the team. I'm far from the smartest person in my office, but I'm willing to outwork a lot of other people, and that's helped to pay dividends over the last couple of decades.

SPEAKER_12:

Uh, what has kept you staying with the club for this long? I'm just seeing the impact and firsthand and being able to get in so engaged and interact with the kids as well as staff and raising money and all the rest of it.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah. So what's your favorite part out of all of that?

SPEAKER_12:

Uh Youth of the Year is a pretty is a pretty big one. You know, I like that all that stuff. Um you know, the the fundraising part of it. Uh maybe not so much the knocking on doors part of uh of fundraising, but the events like today.

SPEAKER_05:

Thank you to all of our supporters uh for showing up at our top golf event today. Um if you could just go like, subscribe, and follow us on any podcast platform. And now I'm handing it back over to my best friend Holden.

SPEAKER_00:

Thank you all for tuning in. Again, I am Holden, your host. Please like this video and subscribe to Youth Unmuted wherever you get your podcast. Until next time, peace.