Charisse Angco receives her Most Valuable Professional Award from Bill Parks, executive director for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield. (Photo submitted)
WESTFIELD – The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield held its 44th Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner at the Tekoa Country Club on Wednesday, October 9, where many local honorees were recognized for their service to the Boys & Girls Club and their community. Inducted into the Club’s Wall of Fame during the Awards Dinner were Matthew J. Trant and Michael R. Knapik for their support of the Boys & Girls Club and the city of Westfield.
Trant first began working with the Boys & Girls Club five years ago helping to secure funds for upgrades to the swimming pool.
“Matt not only helped generate funds for the Club, he also set us up with a private meeting with Senator Kennedy that turned into funding for the city and the Boys & Girls Club,” said Bill Parks, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Westfield. “Matt’s connections and influence have impacted the lives of thousands of kids from Westfield and the surrounding towns.”
The Trant family has established a scholarship in memory of Matt’s brother, Dan, a Westfield native, who was killed on 9/11. The Boys & Girls Club, the city of Westfield and the Trant Family Foundation will work together to build new basketball courts behind the Club in memory of Dan and hold an annual 3-on-3 tournament to raise funds for the city’s youth.
As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, former State Senator Mike Knapik, advocated for the Boys & Girls Club Alliance to receive funding from the state budget. This year, $1 million is being split among forty-one Boys & Girls Clubs in Massachusetts. These funds will help over 100,000 youth.
“Mike has a long history with the Club, most recently as a parent with two children who are members, to attending our local events,” commented Parks, “but also Mike has lobbied at the state level for Boys & Girls Clubs and their families.”
The Man and Youth award winner, Scott McCoy, was recognized for his active involvement in the Club since 2007, his involvement in many Westfield non-profits, and his commitment to the youth of our community.
“Scott has stepped up and offered his assistance with many, perhaps unglamorous, but no less important, needs of the Club, like replacing the valves on our water system, sending a truck to pick up donated items out of state, and putting a fence around our playground,” commented Parks. Currently, McCoy has volunteered to replace the lockers in the locker room.
Scott McCoy was honored as this year’s Man & Youth Award. Here, Executive Director, Bill Parks presents Mr. McCoy with a framed collage of photos taken by Westfield resident Bob Watson of then Senator Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline when they visited Westfield in 1958. (Photo submitted)
Joe Zazzaro was presented the President’s Award by Board President Bo Sullivan for his involvement in the Club since 1998. He started as a member of the Technology Committee, volunteered at our 5-8th grade dances, and also has been repairing our computers in all areas of the Club on his own time for the past 16 years. Zazzaro also served on the original planning committee for the Clubs ‘Raise the Roof’ campaign.
“Joe supports the Club both financially and professionally with advice and leadership,” said Sullivan.
“Without the time and efforts of Scott and Joe, and many volunteers like them, the Club just simply wouldn’t be the model Club that it is today,” said Parks.
The Kiwanis Club founded the original Boys Club of Westfield in 1969. This year, Bill Parks presented the Helping Hands Award to the Kiwanis Club of Westfield for their generous commitment to the guiding principles of the Boys & Girls Club movement.
“Their support is part of our history,” said Parks, “they have been a constant presence for the Club.” Kiwanis sends Keystone Teen members to leadership training camp every year, hosts events at the Club for all city youth, sponsors club members to attend professional baseball games, and supports the mission of the Club by asking individual Kiwanis members to contribute to the Club.
Club staff member, Charisse Angco, was honored with the Most Valuable Professional Award by Kellie Brown, director of operations.
“Charisse has risen above and beyond for this Club,” said Brown, “she runs the before school program, is the literacy coordinator, manages the Technology Center, as well as the huge responsibility of managing the breakfast, snack and dinner program here at the Club.”
Last year alone, the Club served over 89,000 healthy snacks and meals to children that would otherwise go without.
“This is a daunting task not only in logistics but in record keeping as well to make sure this program is compliant with federal grant guidelines. This is simply enormous,” praised Brown.
If you would like more information about programs at the Boys & Girls Club, or if you would like to get your child involved, please contact Kellie Brown, director of operations at 413.562.2301 or visit our website at www.bgcwestfield.org
