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William P. Aiken Honored by Boys & Girls Club of Chattanooga
May 7, 2009
William P. Aiken was honored for his outstanding service to youth, as one of three recipients of the Man & Youth Award. This award is the most prestigious honor bestowed upon board members, by the organization.
Thursday, May 7, 2009, at the Boys & Girls Club of Chattanooga annual fundraising event, the Steak N Burger Dinner, Mr. Aiken, was honored for his outstanding service to youth, as one of three recipients of the Man & Youth Award. This award is the most prestigious honor bestowed upon board members, by the organization. In the 54 years of this organization’s history, only eight other board members have received this award: Floyd Delany, J.T. “Jack” Lupton, George Lundy, Gordon Smith, Jr., Deadrick Montague, Mildred Montague, H.L. “Hacker” Caldwell, III, and Christine B. Smith.
Through 31 years of service on the board of the BGCC, Aiken’s dedication to the inner-city youth of this community has been instrumental in influencing and impacting the lives of children in our community. The award recipients have supported campaigns, raising over $10 million dollars for the organization. Aiken has supported hundreds of children attending college through the BGCC College Bound Program. He has allowed thousands of youth the opportunity to attend the BGCC’s Camp Kiwanis during the summer programs. He also rallied to change the organization’s mission, to begin incorporating girls into the programs and organization in 2002. Today, the Club serves over 1200 girls, providing opportunities for a better future. Bill Aiken has proven himself to be an advocate for the organization and for those youth who are often left with little resources and no one to champion their cause.
When presenting this award, Michael Cranford, Executive Director of the BGCC, noted “These gentlemen have created life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for thousands of young, inner-city kids…[and will leave] this organization a much better place than they found it.” The BGCC is proud and honored to have Bill Aiken as a board member, for his dedication and his service to youth and the community of Chattanooga.
Through the support of individuals like Bill Aiken, the Boys & Girls Club of Chattanooga continue to provide exceptional services to over 3000 children, at four different sites, across Chattanooga, offering children opportunities that supplement education, teach strength of character, teach how to make positive choices, and lead children down the path of creating a better future.