NEWPORT-The Ninth Annual Board of Directors Awards Banquet was held Monday evening at the Boys & Girls Club of Newport/Cocke County.

President of the Board, Tammy Francis, welcomed everyone to the event.

The club handed out pamphlets highlighting the goals of club's program, as well as the milestones. The biggest milestone for 2012 was being able to purchase a new activity bus with funds made available through at $30,000 grant through the Wright Foundation. Shane Borie, Unit Director, said something new to club recently is a pavilion that was built so the youth can better enjoy their lunches and snacks outside during warmer weather.

The guest speaker for the evening was Alex A. "Bo" Shafer, Jr., of Knoxville.

Chris Triplett introduced Shafer, noting that Shafer attended the University of Tennessee-Knoxville from 1955 to 1959 where he played football. Shafer graduated from UT with a degree in Business Administration. From 1959 to 1960, Shafer served with the military police in France. After his service, Shafer returned home to Knoxville and became the second-generation president/owner of Shafer Insurance Agency. He is the Chairman of the Board for Shafer Insurance and works with several non-profit organizations including the Salvation Army and the United Way. Shafer has also served as the International President of Kiwanis.

For more details, please see the Thursday edition of the Newport Plain Talk.