Member of Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri Holds Carnival for Peers

Several months' worth of work came to fruition Wednesday as Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri Smithton Site member Thomas Evans threw a carnival for his fellow Club members. The event was for Evans’ Eagle Scout project for Boy Scout Troop 300 and despite the threat of rain, went off without a hitch.

“Thomas came to me several months ago with this idea,” said Smithton Site Manager Judy Moore. “In talking to his scout masters, Thomas could do any community service project he wanted to, but he chose to have this carnival specifically for Boys & Girls Club members.”

Evans has been a Club member since seventh grade and had a rocky start.

“He did not want to take responsibility for himself, there were constant fights about homework and other issues we dealt with on a day-to-day basis,” Moore said. “But Thomas has really grown and matured over the years. It’s been inspiring to see him pull off a big project like this for the kids.”

The carnival featured numerous games and prizes, a bounce house, photo taking care and even snow cones. Smithton Site teen members helped Evans run the games, along with several Boy Scout volunteers.

“Thomas is a leader at the Club now. He mentors younger members in math and technology, which are his strengths,” Moore said. “We talk to Club members a lot about how we are a community, a Club community, and it’s important to help those in around you. This is just a great example of Thomas giving back to his community.”