Well deserved honor

Published 3:01 pm Thursday, April 12, 2007

By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Cassopolis Vigilant
CASSOPOLIS – Receiving $5,000 for the Youth Club of Cass County was certainly a surprise for Mary McFarland of Cassopolis.
When Deb Wiggins asked if she could feature McFarland as someone who donates her time to help others, McFarland said to go ahead.
Wiggins entered a contest in her Country Living magazine, writing a tribute to McFarland for her dedication to her community and her efforts which brought the youth club to life in 2003.
The article featuring McFarland was the grand prize winner and recipient of a check which will greatly help the club.
Country Living Comfort Contest is in its sixth year and this year received more than 500 submissions.
The story appears in the May issue, which hits newsstands today, April 10.
McFarland hadn't even gotten to see an actual copy yet, only a photocopy her husband Tony made at the library.
The club acts as an after-school haven for local youngsters, providing them with free tutoring, conflict resolution training, art and theater classes, outdoor sports and leadership workshops.
The money will go toward "a good summer" for the kids, improving daily programs and special events, McFarland said.
Unfortunately the club isn't open as much as she would like, just three days a week, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from after school until 6:30 p.m., due to the lack of enough volunteer adult helpers and transportation for the children.
"If we had enough people we would be open five days a week," she added.
"My goal was to provide a safe place for the local young people to socialize and learn respect for adults, their peers and themselves. Kids need to be inspired in order to make good decisions as they grow and mature into adulthood," McFarland was quoted in the article.
The magazine called to ask for some photos, but didn't let on that she was the winner. "I didn't give it much thought. I didn't think we had a chance," McFarland said, but she added Wiggins was much more optimistic.
Before concentrating on the Youth Club of Cass County, also known as YC3, McFarland was well known for establishing and operating Helping Hands in Cassopolis, which distributes food and clothes to the needy and operates a thrift store.
"I have seen donations wane away, with disasters and the Red Cross. The kids are sometimes forgotten," she said.
Her 50 years of volunteering was highlighted by Wiggins, who has also donated time to the youth of the area.
The club is located in a 100-year-old barn, offered to the club for no cost by the Edward Lowe Foundation. A great place with lots of room for them to roam around, she added.
Recently the Optimist Club of Cassopolis has started meeting at the Youth Club and is helping with projects.
"We appreciate all the community, churches and business support. We couldn't do it without them," she added.
Wiggins ended her tribute with the following quote from McFarland, "There's no words to describe how it feels when a child succeeds and accomplishes something he or she couldn't before."
"Time spent with kids – there is nothing more important," McFarland said.