A group of Kyrene Corridor young men is quietly bringing desperately needed help to the less fortunate, at the same time learning lessons that will last them a lifetime. East Valley Boys Service Club has been providing philanthropic opportunities for boys in grades 6-12 and their families since 2005.

The non-profit organization was first envisioned in 2004 when Angie Thornton and Marci Beaudoin were brainstorming for ways young men and their families could work together to give back to their community.

“We pictured something similar to the National Charity League, which is a philanthropic group that encourages mothers and daughters to work together,” said Thornton.

Their vision became reality a year later and has grown to include 80 families with a total of 108 boys as members who have provided more than 4,000 hours of community service during the past three years. The group’s goals, in addition to fostering a lifelong desire to serve and give back to the community, are to develop personal growth and strengthen relationships.

These goals are achieved by members completing at least 15 hours of community service per year in such designated philanthropies as Paz de Cristo, United Food Bank, Rock ‘n’ Roll Paint-a-thon, Tempe Park Beautification, Koman Race for the Cure, Project Cure, Arizona Special Olympics, Walk for Cystic Fibrosis, Habitat for Humanity and, just added, Feed My Starving Children.

Membership is geared to 20 boys per grade level and their families, with opportunities to join occurring February-March each year.

In the spring, EVBSC says goodbye to members of its senior class, who will take with them life lessons learned while helping others in need of assistance.

At the winter meeting, held Jan. 27, the EVBSC members honored 10 seniors who provided a total of more than 400 hours of community service during the past three years to Valley charities.

Honored were seniors Calvin Burns, Austin Cartwright, Johnny Fortune, Chase Gertsch, Dustin Hayes, Connor Iroio, Marc Jerde, Scott La Cava, Erik Schmeckpeper, Colby Thornton and Alex Zener, all of whom had many opportunities to participate in memorable experiences while giving back to their community.  

For instance, most of the seniors liked the Rock n Roll Paint-a-thon, where members divided into groups of 10-15 boys and their families to paint a less-fortunate individual’s house in one day. It was especially gratifying because the boys could see the results right away.

“We had the opportunity to help out an elderly gentleman in Guadalupe,” reminisced Chase Gertsch. “We all worked together and got the job done; we also got to play a little dodge ball on the side, which made it lots of fun.”

Other seniors liked the Walk for Cystic Fibrosis because, said Austin Cartwright, “It’s a good thing to do with your friends and family and after you are done, it feels good--like you did the right thing.”

“I liked volunteering at the United Food Bank and Paz de Cristo because we got to help people get basic needs like food and water,” said Erik Schmeckpeper

Why should you join other than to provide community service and do good things for people in need with your friends and family?

“This program gives you a sense of fellowship with your community, and it’s worth it,” said Johnny Fortune, a member for three years.

“It was a great learning and growing experience that helped me mature as a person and prepare for college and the real world,” said Marc Jerde, who has been a member for only one year.

Who can apply for membership?

Membership Q&A

In addition to the 20 memberships available for next year’s sixth graders, each grade level has openings.

Applications for membership will be taken through the 11^th grade.

When can you apply?

EVBSC’s annual membership drive will continue through March 31. Any boys and their families, in grades 6-11, who have an interest in giving back to their community while feeling good about themselves, are encouraged to contact Ellen Bolton at eabolton@cox.net  or Jeff McLaughlin at 602-750-4949 for additional information.

You can also visit the group’s website at http://evbsc.org/  for more membership details.