KU's Carl Kurt finds student support for Boys and Girls Club
By Julie Sachs
Carl Kurt, professor of civil
engineering, became involved with the United Way when he began
volunteering with the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence. Kurt, a former
member of the board of directors of the United Way of Douglas County, is
now vice-president of the Boys and Girls Club board of directors.
At the club, which receives funding from United Way, children from age 6 to 18 can engage in many activities, such as team sports, Kurt said. They also are encouraged to be successful in academics; the club has a study hall so that children can catch up on their homework. Kurt said that the goals of the club are to provide a safe place for the children and provide them with opportunities they may not have had the chance to experience, such as bowling trips, music lessons and holiday celebrations.
Although the club does its own fund raising, United Way funding is integral to the club's many programs.
The club also would not be a success if it were not for the many volunteers who give their time to the children. Kurt said that he has been impressed with the number of KU student volunteers, especially those from the Rock Chalk Revue.
"I try to never miss an opportunity to mention the KU students. They do so much for the community of Lawrence," he said.
Every minute that a person takes the time to volunteer has an impact on a child. Anyone who has time to spare can volunteer at the club. All they have to do is call the club and ask what they can do.
The amount of time that Kurt has devoted to the club varies with the positions he has held, he said. He recently finished organizing the club's golf tournament fund-raiser, which raised $20,000. Organizing such an event took a great deal of time, but he said that someone was always willing to help out. The children at the club helped as much as they could, he said.
"They were willing to help just because I was willing to pay attention to them," he said. "Just being able to go down and talk to a kid is really important."