The Fayette Rotary Club procured a grant to construct a concrete pad with a basketball coach for the Boys and Girls Club of Fayette. For the project, Rotary partnered with the club and St. Paul United Methodist Church, which hosts the Boys and Girls Club.

The grant covered the materials and labor to build a 20-square-foot concrete pad and install a basketball goal behind the church. Chase Leaton of Chase Leaton Concrete donated his labor to complete the pad.

Boys and Girls Club site director Miranda Atwood said club participants have already enjoyed the new facility and are looking forward to using it even more when the weather improves.

Members of the Fayette Rotary Club chose to use grant funds to support the Boys and Girls Club of Fayette, believing that it would benefit the community. The club’s mission is “to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.” These young people are the future of the community and will help it to grow and thrive.

After consulting with members of the board of the BGC, Rotary members decided to create an outdoor basketball area. The court provides an outlet for energy for children attending the program. It benefits their health by increasing physical activity and encourages teamwork and conflict resolution. In addition, it is expected that the youth of Fayette will also use the court when the BGC is not in session.

Each year, the Fayette Rotary applies for grant money through the Rotary District Simplified Grant (DSG) Program. The amount the club may be awarded is based on the amount that the club and individual members have donated to Rotary International in past years. This year’s DSG grant was for $600 and has been matched by the club. In addition, the club applied for and was granted a FLEX Matching Grant of $300, giving the club a total of $1800 for the BGC project.

Fayette Rotary is part of a worldwide service organization of community leaders actively working for health, education, peace, and economic well-being. Rotary International provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. Its Polio-Plus initiative has helped to almost eradicate polio around the globe.