Mahomet after-school program receives $50K donation at anniversary celebration

MAHOMET, Ill. (WCIA) — One Central Illinois after-school program has been awarded a big boost at their 25th anniversary celebration. A $50,000 donation is aiming to help fund 25 more years of supporting local children.

Kids have always known the Mahomet Area Youth Club (MAYC) as an after-school program where they can meet with their friends, but a quarter century ago it was a little more than an idea of Board Member Gary Matthews and a local principal. "I had retired from the Navy, and we had settled in Mahomet, and we were kind of looking to get involved with the community," Matthews said. "And I started driving a school bus." Now the endowment that helps fund the program is celebrating a major milestone. At the anniversary celebration they were given the donation from George Schoonover, in honor of his late wife.

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"The endowment, one day, will fund all of the expenses of MAYC," said Board Member Alice Elder-Miller. "That is our goal, we're a long way from that right now." MAYC started as a branch of Champaign's Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club. They have since moved to their own organization, making the endowment that much more important.

The organization doesn't just give kids activities and help with homework after school, but they also give scholarships for children involved with the program. MAYC has handed out 225 grants.

"We've seen a lot of success, and it brings happiness and joy to my heart," Elder-Miller said.

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Since its inception, community members have made sure MAYC succeeds, like when they received pro bono help from an attorney and realtor to upgrade their building.

Elder-Miller said for 25 years, MAYC has been giving kids an after-school retreat. She knows it's been making a positive impact, partly because of former club members who've come back to help, like volunteer Hannah Frank.

"I love looking back and seeing all the kids I know and all the staff I knew that still work with me," Frank said. "And it's just fun being around the environment."

MAYC holds two events every year: a race to raise money in the fall and a spring fundraising drive. You can find information on how to donate on their Facebook page .