As part of the program, Simmons will receive an $1,000 scholarship towards her collegiate pursuits. The check presentation will be held at the Murphey Felton Tindall Unit on 841 Anthony Rd at 4:00 on Wednesday, February 9th. This scholarship is an integral part of Youth of the Year nationwide and encourages candidates to look beyond high school, towards their next steps. The recently established Lamar Geddis and Family Youth Empowerment Fund has chosen the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Georgia as their first grant recipient. The grant will be used to establish the Lamar Geddis Youth of the Year Endowment fund through the Community Foundation. This fund will ensure that scholarships can be provided for all future Youth of the Year recipients like Aliayah. Contributions to the Lamar Geddis Youth of the Year Endowment Fund or to the Lamar Geddis and Family Youth Empowerment Fund can be made to the Community Foundation of Central Georgia.

Lamar Geddis lived and served in Macon after graduating from Mercer University, making the lives of countless youth more hopeful and purposeful. He had a special connection to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Georgia, serving as the Unit Director of the Second St. Club for over 15 years. More recently, he was honored as an inductee to our Hall of Fame. His family chose to honor his love of this community by setting up a fund at the Community Foundation of Central Georgia that will provide grants in his name. Now the community he loved so much will be able to keep his spirit alive, and more young people may realize their own potential because of him. 

“Lamar had such a strong love for this community, and an even stronger love for uplifting and supporting youth,” said his wife, Lynda Geddis. “We are so pleased to know that his legacy of caring for others will live on through this endowment. He would be so proud to see the many ways his leadership and compassion continues to make a difference to youth throughout this community. We are pleased to launch this youth empowerment scholarship endowment with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Georgia. 

Lynda Geddis will join Aliayah Simmons at the Murphey Felton Tindall Unit on 841 Anthony Rd at 4:00 on Wednesday, February 9th to present the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Georgia with this grant. Press is invited to attend.