Lacy Mills has spent almost her entire life involved with the Pell City chapter of the Boys and Girls Club of America, half of which in service. In grade school, she was a member. As a young teenager, she volunteered. Then, she was a counselor in training after which she became a counselor. Since 2013, she has been Unit Director.

The 29-year old wife of Brian and mother of Bryson takes no credit for her life in community service. She calls herself “blessed” to work with the young members in her charge.

“We couldn’t do it without the city of Pell City and we owe everything to our donors,” said Mills. 

Mills has been involved in many mentoring, art, and music programs that enrich the members of BGGCA. These activities give students opportunities to experience what they might not in schools where they often charge fees and the cost of supplies and uniforms.

The organization has a new program director, Travis Hanes. According to Mills, “He really has a heart for mentoring and helping young people. He is over the majority of our teenage programming and will be heading up most of their philanthropy and community outreach.”

There is a community program in its planning stages that will be put into effect this summer, a project that will benefit the members as well as the community. The members of the BGGCA will be visiting disabled veterans and nursing homes. They will go bearing gifts of toiletries, reading material, puzzle books, artwork, etc. 

Mills says the real gift will be the smiling faces of the children. The children will learn the joy of giving and community activism where it is much needed and deserved. Many of the patients in nursing homes have no family or are not visited on a regular basis. And our fighting men and women deserve whatever appreciation those for whom they risked their lives can show. 

But, like many community organizations, resources are limited. As Mills said, they rely heavily on their donors. Donations of toiletries, reading material, puzzle books, artwork, etc. would be appreciated. Those belonging to churches, clubs, or civic organizations expressing the need at the next service or meeting would be tremendously helpful.

These items can be mailed to or dropped off at 1816 3rd Avenue South, Pell City, Alabama 35128. For anyone wishing to offer kinds of aid, call 205-814-0405. Ask for Lacy Mills or Travis Hanes. Additional volunteer help will be needed this summer.