Boys & Girls Club of M.C. seeking increased monetary support from City of Plymouth

Andrew Fitzpatrick, CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Marshall County, and board member Gina Howell recently presented to the Plymouth Common Council seeking the continuation of their annual funding.

Fitzpatrick explained to the council that the funds received from the city are deposited in the annual campaign fund.  He said, “We were surprised for the first time.  We have received $35,000 from the city over the last eight years.”  Fitzpatrick said when he started in 2019, the instructions to him were to send an invoice to the city, and they would send a check.     

The CEO said they were surprised when this year’s check was $25,000.  He said they have been surprised by other government entities that have reduced their annual donations, and even their federal funding has been reduced from the Juvenile Justice Department, along with the State of Indiana’s Homework funds. 

Fitzpatrick asked the city council to consider increasing their donation back up to the $35,000 during this year’s budget process, if possible. He mentioned that their annual budget for the county has grown to one million dollars.

Fitzpatrick explained that the Boys & Girls Club isn’t a babysitter. He said their programs have so much impact on the kids.  The number one priority of the Marshall County Club is to make sure kids are safe, they are making the right decisions, and they aren’t doing things in the community that hurt other people or harm themselves. 

Mayor Listenberger told council members there has never been a formal agreement.  There has been a verbal agreement year after year. The mayor said the funding for the club is from the mayor’s promotion budget.   

Council members were supportive of the club, but with so many other requests and the changes from the state that will have a major impact on the city’s revenues, no decision was made. 

This is the 30^th anniversary of the Plymouth club.