Greentown Athletic Club Is a Long-Standing Supporter of Local Youth

Since the late 1950s, Greentown has been a part of the . What once was a high school that housed the Greentown Greyhounds is now an elementary school for the district.

With an initial goal to raise money to support youth football and give kids a positive experience in the midst of tumultuous times in this country, a concept was launched in 1969 that has helped change the lives of future Hoover High students for more than 40 years.

Steve Jordan, Jack Foughty and John Anderson, as part of a charter seven-man board, took an empty auction hall in Greentown and started the Greentown Athletic Club.

Hundreds of young people each year in the Greentown fire district get to participate in football, baseball, softball and cheerleading from third grade through middle school. Fees to participate in sports or cheerleading are an affordable $50.

GAC member Dave Michaels said the nonprofit organization relies on bingo and a few other fundraisers to sustain itself.

"The bingo operation runs every Thursday and Friday evenings," Michaels said. "That, along with some reverse raffles, funds everything from facilities to uniforms to scholarships."

"Our 22 members and other volunteers do the majority of the work that needs to get done," said Michaels, who's been a member since 2001.

As important as offering sports that teach the kids teamwork, dedication and self-esteem, GAC has awarded 235 scholarships since 1977 to seniors destined for college who attended , whose current home address falls within the Greentown fire district or participated in GAC programs.

In recent times, individual scholarships have increased to $1,000.

"In 2010 alone, we awarded 17 individual scholarships and another $1,000 to Hoover High School for a total of $18,000," Michaels said. "The Hoover athletic department and coaches made two $500 scholarships for a male and female athlete."

With the purchase of five acres in 2005 and the construction of two additional baseball fields, GAC facilities now entail five baseball and softball fields, two football fields, a bingo hall, pavilion, concession stand and various outbuildings.

As you enter the GAC parking lot, a sign greets you with following message: "We have faith in our youth and pledge our support." The Greentown Athletic Club and its members work hard to live up to that pledge and more than 15,000 kids in the Greentown area over the years would agree they have.

Current Greentown Athletic Club members are: Jim Fleming (president), Keith Barnby (vice president), Gary Delmonaco (treasurer), Jack Stayer Jr. (secretary), Steve Jordan, Vince Harris, Loyal Andrews, Don Masucci, Ron Fausnight, Tom Riegler, Ron Longellow, Bob Freeland, Dave Michaels, Jeff Fausnight, Vince Harris Jr., Mike Jordan, Tim Cross, Pat Grubish, Jeff Stoughton, Pat Fleming, Rodger Lanning and Randy Burns.