Kara Latz knows the benefits of volunteering at the Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club firsthand. Her family has been involved with PNBGC since its inception in 2010.
For Latz giving back is a part of her civic responsibility to the youth in Greene County and her service to the Club has been rewarding not only for the youth, but in her life as well.
“My most rewarding experience, without a doubt, has been serving as a mentor for our youth. I feel extremely blessed to have the choice to be a stay-at-home mother, and the flexibility to choose how I organize my day,” she shared. “Since my children are at school, I feel an overwhelming responsibility to serve the parents of our club members, many who work 2-3 jobs, by ensuring that their children are thriving in a safe environment that will improve their life mission.”
So, how does a volunteer structure their time at Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club? Latz has advice and ideas on how to create a healthy balance.
“During my first two years, I was both working full-time and caring for my 3 small children. For that reason, my volunteerism was limited to roughly 1 hour a month,” she said adding she chose volunteer projects at that time that reflected her work experience, so she could plan and implement with relative ease. “I had been a volunteer blood drive coordinator at my company, AT&T for a decade, so I knew how to implement such an event and its importance in Georgia. I brought the American Red Cross blood drive program to PNC in 2015.”
The blood drive program has proved to be highly successful on multiple levels and most recently it helped PNBGC teens earn a leadership trip to Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Keystone Conference in Chicago. Keystoneis the Boys & Girls Club Movement’s most dynamic teen program. It affords teens an opportunity to gain valuable leadership and service experience. They conduct activities in three areas: academic success, career exploration and community service.
“Since leaving AT&T, I have been able to become a much more active board member and volunteer and have enjoyed immensely the opportunity to become more involved with the board and engaged with the kids,” Latz shared. “I have launched community events like Trash To Treasures and assisted with well-known fundraisers such as the Duck Derby, Moonlight & Motown, and If These Walls Could Talk. Depending on the season, sometimes my involvement is great, and during busier times, at a minimum.”
It’s scientifically proven that volunteering monthly can increase a person’s happiness by ten percent. So no matter if you can contribute one hour a week or two hours a day, volunteering not only changes the lives of the children at PNBGC but could change yours. And, that’s the picture Latz is painting for the community with her story.
Currently, Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club is currently looking for business people, parents, and retirees to volunteer as Ambassadors to our local organization.
“We are seeking individuals who do not have the time to attend regular meetings, but would still very much like to support Greene County's young people,” Latz shared. “An Ambassador is one who wishes to give back to the community by helping out either on site or from his/her desk for up to 10 hours a year. We have a variety of tasks that require caring people to help us behind-the-scenes. The needs are endless, but some tasks include light computer work, event set-up/clean-up, customer service, and marketing administration. A little bit of time goes a long way at the Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club. Your volunteerism is critical in providing a safe place for our children to go after school and grow into productive citizens.
If interested in volunteering for PNBGC, contact volunteer coordinator, Kara Latz at 404-316-0562. You can also visit, www.bgcncg.com/volunteerto learn more about the impacts of volunteering.