The Interact Lifeguards Keystone Club of the local Boys and Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale McKee Branch proudly brought home the Pacific Regional Award for the 2009 National Keystone Project of the Year.

According to local BAGC Teen Development Specialist Heidi Benson, the Keystoners worked hard from September through November on their four-part project entitled, “Project A.C.T.,” which stands for Awareness, Community and Truth.

“The mission of our project was simple; we wanted to ACT to fight against poverty by creating awareness among our club members and local community,” Benson said.

“We also wanted to connect the community to our efforts by taking actions that would result in large and small scale outcomes.

“Finally, we wanted to spread the truth about what poverty is, its effects and how everyone can help in the eradication of poverty, one step at a time.”

Benson said Keystone wanted to remove the misconception that the issue of poverty is too large to tackle.

“We wanted it to be known that poverty can only be addressed when people are willing, determined and passionate about doing their part, be it large or small,” Benson said.

“Whether it be collecting items for the homeless or giving a child in an impoverished country the chance to live, gain education, and achieve more, we set out to do all of this, to make changes on a large and small scale basis, to touch the lives of those who are suffering within our own community and those on the other side of the world.”

Project A.C.T. was broken into four parts.

First was a presentation to the club’s youth members about what poverty is and its effects. Second, to hold a supply drive for the Phoenix Rescue Mission. Third, to collect money to aid in Rotary International’s fight against polio (PolioPlus) and, finally, to help children in destitute nations by supporting children through ChildFund.org. 

To spread the truth about poverty, Keystone members made a presentation to club members about poverty in the world.

Keystone created a PowerPoint presentation and club members were able to understand the effects of poverty and the various levels in which poverty exists. Keystone used pictures and other creative media to present the information.

The supply drive for the Phoenix Rescue Mission also allowed Keystone members to show creativity. Keystone decorated large bins for donations and placed them at both entrances of the Club.

They also made daily announcements to all youth and teen members about donating and set up a contest to see which group could donate the most. Keystone partnered with the Fountain Hills Noon Rotary Club and got Rotarians to donate many items.

The partnership with the Rotary Club allowed Keystoners to get even more creative and make a greater impact.

Keystone hosted a lunch for the Rotarians and presented the project and its goals. Keystone chose to fight polio through Rotary’s PolioPlus Program and to raise money for polio eradication.

“Our Keystone members stood outside local grocery and hardware stores on their weekends,” Benson said.

“Keystoners informed local patrons about what polio is and how they could help eradicate it.”

Benson said the planning and promotion behind all of this was intense and lengthy.

Keystone chose three different Saturday dates to collect money for PolioPlus and took the time to research and learn about polio. Because of their efforts, they were able to inform customers about polio and promote donating effectively.

Through their initiatives, Keystone raised more than $1000 in donations for polio eradication, enough to save more than 500 lives through vaccination.

The final stage of the project was to raise money for childfund.org.

“Keystone wanted to find a fun, creative and meaningful way to raise money for their cause,” Benson said.

“They decided to host a western-themed prom for Fountain View Village, and the Keystoners convinced a local western quartet to donate a performance for the event.”

Keystone members learned a square dance to perform for the residents during the “Western Hoe-Down.”

Keystone spent time making flyers and talking with the Fountain View Village residents about their project and its goals.

They also discussed where the donated money would go and what it would be used for. Not only did Keystone raise money to fight poverty in another country, they found a way to raise the money that reached out to the local elderly community.

Keystone raised more than $100 during their two-hour event. The money went to ChildFund’s Children’s Greatest Needs Program, which provides impoverished children with health, nutrition, and educational services.

“The outcome of our project and all its parts was considerable,” Benson said.

“Keystoners collected hundreds of pounds of items for the Phoenix Rescue Mission, raised over $1000 for PolioPlus and raised money for childfund.org to help children receive the basic life necessities. The club also donated over $100 to the Child Fund Organization’s Children’s Greatest Needs Program.”

Setting out to fight against poverty by creating awareness among club members and the local community, it’s easy to see the Interact Lifeguards Keystone Club has done exactly that and so much more.