CAMDEN -- A Camden alderman became Santa Claus for the Boys and Girls Club of Ouachita County this Christmas after donating his annual pay as a member of the City Council to the nonprofit organization.
Alderman Danny Glaze, 61, gave $2,000 to help renovate the old Fairview Gym at the Boys and Girls Club. Glaze, who owns Green Pine Timber Co. in Camden, is serving his first term on the council and said he plans to continue donating his alderman's salary to different charities each year.
"It is wonderful to see a group of volunteers committed to our youth," Glaze said of the Boys and Girls Club. "This project will give our children a chance to develop an appreciation for music and the arts.
"We recognize this is a much-needed program in our community. To utilize an existing structure and renovate it for such a good use is a win-win for us. I look forward to seeing Camden's next talented generation utilize this facility."
The Event Center, as the gym is known, was constructed in 1937 but has fallen into a state of disrepair in recent years. A group of volunteers -- many of whom are alumni of the Fairview School System -- approached the Boys and Girls Club board in June 2014 with a desire and a plan to save the facility.
After a year and a half of work and fundraising, more than $110,000 has been raised to transform the gym into a music and arts center for the community, particularly the youth of Ouachita County. Volunteers have put in thousands of hours to clean the facility and prepare it for major renovation projects.
The first phase of the project involved replacing the roof and gutters, constructing exit ramps from the side exits of the building, and restoring existing windows of the facility, the release said. The windows project has already been completed. A special Boys and Girls Club committee of volunteers has been working at the facility for more than a year and is finalizing plans to renovate the roof.
News of Glaze's good deed spread quickly around Camden. Camden resident Susan Simmons said Glaze inspired her to donate money to local charities as well. By doing so, she hopes to get others in her family to follow.
"It's so nice to see an elected official doing something like this for the community, in addition to their political service," Simmons said. "These days, you mostly hear negative things about politicians. It's nice to have one to cheer about."
Frank Roberts of Camden also praised Glaze, saying more politicians should follow his example.
"Doing good for others is what humanity is about, and a true leader like Mr. Glaze can really make a difference in our world," Roberts said. "It's nice to have good news like this to spread during the holidays."
State Desk on 12/25/2015