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The Reminder Local Newspaper : Griswold — 07/11/2008

Youth Center continues to blossom
BY VITO J. LEO Staff Writer Contact Vito J. Leo with story ideas by e-mailing him at vleo@remindernet .com

Director Ryan Aubin is strategically guiding the Griswold Youth Center as it continues to blossom into a key component in the
town’s echelon of resident services.

Final tabulation of the recent “Youthhopia” event held at Griswold Veterans Memorial Park shows that the annual family
celebration organized by Aubin and youngsters from the center now holds a singular position in the town.

“This year’s event has officially been the biggest community fundraiser in the history of the town of Griswold,” Aubin said.
“We raised a total of $1,915.”

That amount didn’t just beat the previous Youthtopia’s total of $400 – it raised almost five times the amount netted from the
2007 event.

Aubin broke down the proceeds as follows: The Youth Center made: $990 from entry sales and raffles; $300 in soda/water sales;
and $125 in donations from vendors.

That sterling effort by this dedicated group of young people did not go unrecognized or unrewarded by a local business .
The Armstrong Chimney Service in Baltic topped the amount raised from the “Youthhopia” celebration with a $500 donation.

“Call the Armstrong Chimney Service for all your chimney needs!” says Aubin enthusiastically.

Talking to the ownership of the chimney company specifically and to the entire Griswold community in general, Aubin issued a
statement of gratitude: “Together, we are changing the whole vision of youth services, and I thank you for all your support.”

Aubin lists upcoming projects at the center which will be extra busy now that summer is here and school is on vacation. Many
working Griswold parents depend on this and other programs sponsored by the Griswold Recreation Department.

“We also received a grant for $10,000 from the state which is going to be used for three different things. The recreation department
will be working with the state troopers to set up a trip to Vermont for a ropes course,” Aubin said. “About 20 members of the Youth
Center will go for the weekend trip along with two state troopers, myself and one of my staff.”

Also in the works, a basketball tournament featuring members and staff of the youth center taking on a formidable team of state
troopers.

Regardless of the final score, the center will end up being a winner again because the troopers have agreed to help out with the
purchase of a new basketball court – complete with hoop – funded with some of the money received in that state grant which Aubin
successfully attained.