Atlanta Resident Charlie Smith Honored with 2013 “Maytag® Dependable Leader” Award

ATLANTA, GA, July 15, 2013 /3BL Media/ – The Maytag® brand and Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) announced today that Charlie Smith has been named a “2013 Maytag Dependable Leader” in acknowledgment  for his dedication to keeping youth on the path to achieving great futures. The Maytag Dependable Leader Award recognizes club professionals and volunteers who are committed to making a difference in the lives of youth by being dependable and exceptional role models.

Charlie Smith was selected as one of 25 recipients to receive the distinction and a $20,000 financial award to help further extend his respective focus with the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Greater Atlanta. Smith intends to use the one-time grant to give the Bellwood Teen Center a makeover. Particularly by obtaining new furniture (presently the furniture is clean but dilapidated), a teen inspired lounge space, an updated computer lab and study room (in the teen center).

“Charlie Smith is truly a dependable leader who selflessly gives his time and efforts to The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Atlanta, and we are proud to see him recognized with this incredible award from Maytag,” said Leisa Smith, Executive Director.  “Through the Maytag Dependable Leader Award, Charlie Smith will continue making a positive impact in our community and build upon our reach. We are grateful to Maytag for supporting our organization’s efforts to serve young people and make a difference in their lives.”

Boys & Girls Clubs provides services and support that enable youth to reach their full potential. With a heritage of dependability dating back more than 100 years, the Maytag brand mission is to build high-performing products consumers can count on. The partnership between Maytag and BGCA seeks to promote dependability – a quality that the Clubs’ staff and volunteers strive for every day and is central to the Maytag brand.

“The Maytag Dependable Leader Award allows the brand to give back to Boys & Girls Club professionals and volunteers who continue to give tirelessly of themselves to the Clubs and the youth they work with,” said William Beck, senior brand director, Maytag.  “Charlie Smith provides his Club with passion and untiring devotion; it is our honor to recognize him with this award.”

About Maytag Brand

For more than a century, Maytag brand appliances have been synonymous with dependability and durability. Through the commitment of Whirlpool Corporation, Maytag brand’s enduring tradition of quality production and performance continues to thrive. Exceptionally durable, commercial-grade components are found in many Maytag brand appliances – including Maytag® Maxima® front-load and Maytag® Bravos® top-load washers and dryers. Maytag brand is part of the Whirlpool Corporation, the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $18 billion in 2012, 68,000 employees, and 65 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. For more information on any Maytag brand appliance, visit http://www.maytag.com.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,000 Clubs serve some 4 million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native American lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at http://www.bgca.org/facebook and http://bgca.org/twitter.
 

Contact:

Leisa Smith                                           Jetaun Adkins                                    Andrea Betts

Salvation Army BGC of Greater Atlanta      Boys & Girls Clubs of America                Ketchum for Maytag Brand

(404)486-2962                                     (404) 487-5945                                 (646) 935-4269

Leisa_Smith@uss.salvationarmy.org           jadkins@bgca.org                               andrea.betts@ketchum.com