After 20 years, Elgin Boys & Girls Club board member still 'all about the kids'
After 20 years of volunteering on the board of the Boys & Girls Club of Elgin, and for the last six or so years as president of the statewide club organization, Tim Williams is showing no signs of slowing down.
"I have no idea what the next chapter is," said the 63-year-old, who lives outside Elgin and owns several Merlin automotive shops in the Fox Valley and Rockford area.
"When I started this thing 20 years ago, I thought I'd give it two or three years. Then we had this focus on building a new clubhouse, then we built it (in 2008) ... Then I got involved in the state aspect of it, and I've enjoyed that a lot. Now we're onto some new things locally (a new clubhouse in South Elgin), and that's going to be a new adventure for us. Those are things that keep us all energized and going. We have a great board and really solid staffing."
Williams recently received the "Heart of the Region" award at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Midwest Regional annual event in Chicago, an honor he received for his work in Elgin and as board president for the Illinois Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs. The region encompasses 13 states, more than 200 clubs and more than 2,000 volunteers.
Williams is the chairman of the Elgin club's outreach committee, which led the way for doubling the number of youths served, or 800 to 1,000 daily on average, including at the clubhouse on Dundee Avenue in Elgin and programs at 12 schools in Elgin Area School District U-46. The club serves the highest number of teens among clubs in Illinois, Williams said.
The outreach committee also a developed a plan to build a new facility in South Elgin, which was kick-started by a $1 million donation last month by the Wisdom Family Foundation.
"We've always said that kids vote with their feet," Williams said. "If you're not providing good programs to keep them engaged, keep them excited, keep them involved, they're not coming back."
The state organization is mainly in charge of working to secure state and federal funding and allocate it to its 27 clubs based on need and capacity. Funding for the Elgin club also comes from donations from foundations, individuals and businesses.
Cathy Russell, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Elgin, said Williams always asks tough questions to ensure any decisions are in the best interest of the youths and the community.
"Tim is a strategic thinker and an excellent communicator," Russell said. "He is all about the kids every day and is a true advocate for serving more kids and serving them better."
Williams said he got involved with the Elgin club when he worked in marketing for Merlin's parent company and met then-club board member Joe Wars, who persuaded him to get involved in the club's annual "duck race" fundraiser.
"The duck race was a really hands-on event, so I got to know quite a few people at the club," Williams said. "Back then it was a very small board and they were all involved in fundraising. They invited me to join the board within a couple months of that."
Over the years, his daughters, now ages 28 and 26, and his wife, Laurie, also got involved as volunteers with the club. "My wife is a very active volunteer. She has been on dinner committees and has sold countless ducks," he said.
As for his recent award, Williams said he was surprised and pleased, but said he can't take the credit alone.
"This award is truly a testament to the hard work and dedication of our volunteer board, club staff and the Elgin community that supports our mission," he said.