9-year-old Maddy and her friend Taylor, both of Kennewick, made a donation of almost $100 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties to help kids just like them have a safe and positive place to go after school.

Maddy and Taylor have been spending their after school time caring for two horses. Work includes cleaning stalls, brushing and feeding the animals six days a week. They have been working hard for two months and receive $20 every two weeks for their efforts. In lieu of keeping the money, Maddy and Taylor decided to donate their earnings to a charity. The girls are working hard to learn the responsibility that comes with caring for a horse. Their actions are exactly what the Boys & Girls Club strives to teach in young people. With help from the leadership and philanthropy that Maddy and Taylor have shown, the Boys & Girls Club can help more young people become productive, caring and responsible citizens.

Their donation will go toward purchasing additional art supplies for the newly renovated art room at the Main Branch in Pasco. Maddy is the daughter of Chris and Sarah Eerkes, and eldest granddaughter of Craig and Marilee Eerkes. The family is the namesake for the highly anticipated and deeply impactful Eerkes Memorial Golf Classic for Kids in August. The Boys & Girls Club is extremely grateful for the generosity that has been shared by three generations of Eerkes.

For information about the golf tournament and auction, visit our special events page.