BEDFORD – In December 2022, the Lilly Endowment gave 30 million dollars to the 31 Boys and Girls Clubs across Indiana to focus on mental health. These 31 Boys and Girls Clubs are planting trees for mental health awareness all across the state.
Gilstrap delivered a speech focusing on the dedication of the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence County to improve young people’s mental health. “Our mission is clear: to make a positive impact together.” Later in a quote to WBIW, she said: “We had a great day out here. It’s fun to watch these kids plant all the trees. We know how important it is for their mental health to get outside, so it’s fun for them and good for their mental health. It’s a good reminder, it’s cool to know that there’s kids all across Indiana today doing the exact same thing at the exact same time.”
The Chief Professional Officer, Frank Decker, had a similar thought, “Today is all about the Lilly Grant we got in December of 2022. Thirty-one clubs came together and proposed it to Lilly. They awarded 30 million dollars to all the Boys and Girls Clubs of Indiana, so today all 31 clubs are planting trees to represent the preservation of clubs and extended growth and sustainability.”
“I’ve been going to the club for a long time,” Sears began to remark to WBIW, “and being able to turn around work here and help the kids with planting trees has been a great experience, and I love it.”
Four trees in all were planted today by many of the of the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence County youth.
