Back in 2009, Don Clark approached Brandon Thurman about coaching football at the Boys & Girls Club of Western Benton County's Siloam Springs location.
Thurman, who was named the club's Chet Hobart Volunteer of the Year during an awards banquet on Thursday, said it changed his life forever.
"It's always been a passion of mine to be a coach and (Clark) said, 'Listen, if you want to be a coach one day, I want you to come down with me to the club and help me coach with these guys and you won't regret it,'" Thurman said. "I tell ya, that's the best decision I've ever made because I'm getting ready to graduate college and I'm going to go (coach) full-time and get paid to do it."
Siloam Springs site director Stephen Johnston said it was "crazy" to see how Thurman has grown as a person and into an adult because they graduated high school together. Johnston said it's "awesome to see him do the work with our kids," after Thurman was presented with the biggest award of the night in front of hundreds gathered inside the gymnasium at the Siloam Springs location.
The award is named for the late Chet Hobart, who led the building committee that built the Siloam Springs location where the event was hosted. He also served four consecutive years as president of the club's corporate board. His wife, Hazel Hobart, joined club CEO Chris Shimer in presenting the award to Thurman.
"Wow, what an honor," Thurman said. "If you are not involved in the Boys & Girls Club, you really need to because these kids are the future. If you have a passion for helping the future, this is a great place to exercise that.
"I'm thankful for this and I'll never forget Siloam Springs and these great kids."
Thurman was among several recipients of volunteer of the month awards. Others announced from the Siloam Springs location were Mark Hansen, Chuck Hyde, Abby Mahan, Darcy Ireland, Ken Jennings, Stacy Warder, Brad Edwards, Johnna Thurman, Yeremi Flores, Gabby Deleon and Kyle Twist. Volunteers from the club's other locations -- Decatur, Gentry and Gravette -- also were recognized.
In addition, junior youths of the month and the year were announced for each location. From Siloam Springs, monthly honorees were Baylee Morris, Robbie Webb, Madison Workman, Hunter Husong, Corbin Crook, Reagan Farmer, Ridley Floyd, Paula Matamoros, Caleb Skidgel, Tyler Johnson, Yesali Flores and Asa Mojica-Loftin, who also was named the junior youth of the year.
"Parents, my goodness, you guys have done a great job," Johnston said. "We have 215 kids a day in Siloam and picking 12 a year to come to this event is a tough task. So congratulate yourself on a job well done because they all have bright futures.
"All of you kids, I just want to tell you, don't let anyone tell you you can't. I've seen big things from you and I know there are great things to come. I know you all are going to be future leaders of our community and you're going to do awesome things. And I'm excited to see it happen.
"But I've got to go from 215 down to 12, and then from 12 down to one. (Mojica-Loftin) has been coming to our club for a long time. I've seen him grow up and he truly is a leader who brings that every day to our club."
Toby Moppin was named junior youth of the year for the Decatur location. Gentry's youth of the year was Aiden Eller and Gravette's youth of the year was Rhiannon Bombar.
The nearly two-hour event was catered by Rib Crib, which Johnston said "stepped up and donated 100 percent of the food," after Johnston had to "cold call them a week out" when another restaurant found out it wasn't able to cater the event.
Shimer echoed what Johnston said about parents, grandparents and volunteers making a difference in these children's lives and in the club as a whole.
"This is what we're all about," Shimer said. "Our volunteers are a tremendous part of our program overall. We cannot exist without our volunteers. The importance of volunteers to our organization cannot be overstated, whether serving as a coach, a board member or helping out our clubs during special events or on a committee. The passion, dedication, resources and time you've given has transformed this club into one of the best organizations in the boys and girls club movement.
"You can be proud of the positive impact you have made on the lives of children."
General News on 02/28/2018