We Are The People Who Make Up The Foundation

Gary Matthews was born and raised in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. He and his wife, Trudy, settled in Mahomet in 1988 after retiring from the Navy where he served for 34 years as a Naval Engineer. Gary and Trudy originally created the MAYC foundation with the goal of establishing an endowment fund to ensure long-term financial support for MAYC.

“It [MAYC] was kind of a vision in 1994, following my retirement, when Trudy & I first talked of doing something in return for all the many blessing that God has bestowed on us. By providing a safe place and positive developmental programs for children from disadvantaged home environments. Trudy & I believe MAYC helps these children to stay out of trouble, succeed academically, and to break out of the poverty cycle and become productive citizens.”

Josh Jessup was born in Bloomington, IL and moved to Mahomet in 1978. Josh is a Firefighter for the City of Champaign and a father of 3 fantastic kids. When Gary Matthews approached Josh after his father, Lee Jessup, passed away he was asked to consider serving on the Foundation Board.

“It was a humbling offer and a distinct privilege for me to be given the opportunity to serve a place my dad was so passionate about. The drive and desire to maintain a place for Mahomet’s youth to be safe and cared for was clearly a part of the fabric of our house. Being able to be a part of this Club’s mission and legacy, by supporting its efforts to provide a safe, nurturing environment where Mahomet’s youth can become responsible, contributing, fruitful citizens is a tremendous honor.”

Patty McIntosh was born in Rochester New York, but went through grades K-9 in the Champaign Schools, graduating from Wethersfield High School in Kewanee.  She has lived in Mahomet for over 5 years with her husband and loves being in an outstanding small community like Mahomet, near by to Champaign/Urbana and the University of Illinois. Patty has been the Executive Director of a Foundation in Western Illinois for the last 15 years, supporting an array of health initiatives through grants and collaborations. Patty brings her experience to the foundation after noticing the amount of community involvement, the caliber of programming, as well as the amount of kids benefiting from MAYC. She believes that communities should help kids face today’s challenges and that MAYC provides that for Mahomet area kids.

“Bloom where you are planted.”

Mike Dillavou is the Vice President and Banking Center Manager at Hickory Point Bank and Trust located in downtown Champaign, IL. Mike is a strong finance professional with over 20 years background in the industry with a focus on retail services, loans and mortgage lending. Mike has been a Mahomet resident for more than 20 years with his wife; raising their three children. He is a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps with over 6 years of active service including Operation Desert Storm.

Debra Kimme was born in Granville, IL moving 10 miles south to Magnolia, IL when she was in second grade. She graduated from Putnam County High School and received a master’s degree in Recreation from the University of Illinois. She moved to Mahomet with her husband Dennis, marking it as the best decision they’ve ever made. Working as the Recreation Director for the village of Mahomet in the 90’s, Deb began to recognize there were families in the Mahomet community that needed a helping hand. During the same time, a local organization was being developed by Gary and Trudy Matthews, a plan to help at-risk and latch key children in Mahomet. She has a strong belief in MAYC’s mission and the opportunities it gives youth.

“To me, the mission of the MAYC Foundation represents a promise by community members to obtain financial security for MAYC in order to provide ongoing and nurturing programs that assist our local children to build a bright future.”

Darlene Baker comes to the MAYC Foundation Board in a strong partnership with MAYC – the Club. She has been on the MAYC Board since March, 2018, serving currently as the president and formerly as the secretary. Darlene believes that being able to provide for the youth of our community is so important. Because MAYC provides the services and opportunities and the Foundation helps ensure sustainability and scholarship opportunities for the youth Darlene certainly wanted to get involved with both organizations. Darlene has served on the local, state, and national board of the USBC for many years. And so, she brings experience with governance, legislation, strategic planning, finances, running events and tournaments, and even scholarship management to the MAYC Foundation Board. She is the Chief Financial Officer of Piatt County Mental Health Center. Darlene grew up in Clinton, IL and now resides in Mahomet.

“The youth are the future of our community, and the community needs to provide opportunities for our youth to succeed in whatever it is they pursue. That will only help support the community in the future.”

Brianna is originally from Danville, Illinois but currently lives in Champaign. She is our Executive Director for the MAYC Club which is a separate organization that works very closely with the MAYC Foundation. She oversees the day-to-day happenings on the ground level with all the Mahomet youth involved with the MAYC Club organization. As a key representative of the MAYC Club she has the vital role of updating and informing the MAYC Foundation on MAYC Club’s activities during program hours and lets the Foundation know of any help or assistance that may be needed by the Club. Brianna’s energy, enthusiasm and ability to jump right in is welcomed by the Foundation.

“The most important thing in life is to stop saying ‘I wish’ and start saying ‘I will.’ Consider nothing impossible then treat possibilities as probabilities.” -Charles Dickens

Alice Elder-Miller was born in Decatur, IL and grew up on a rural Christian County, Illinois farm. She received her undergrad degree from Millikin University in mathematics and her MBA from Illinois State University. She went to work for A. E. Staley in Decatur as an Accountant and later as a Systems Analyst. This is where she met and married her husband, Lee Miller.

In 1991, Alice and Lee moved to the Mahomet area because they felt that Mahomet met most of the desired attributes and values, they wanted to impart upon their son while raising him. In 1993, when she heard Gary Matthews give a talk on starting a Boys and Girls Club in Mahomet to support the youth, Alice and Lee wholeheartedly agreed and became supporters of it.

After moving to Mahomet, Alice no longer worked outside the home but decided to volunteer for many organizations. When asked to join the MAYC Foundation Board, she readily agreed. She hoped to bring her business background skills and knowledge of how Mahomet has developed over the past 30+ years of living here. She plans to help the MAYC Foundation Board move forward so that MAYC-the Club will continue into the future.

“I feel that we are put on this earth to share our blessings and make sure that the world is a better place when we leave it. The children in the Mahomet area deserve a place that is safe and nurturing. The future will be so bright and exciting when children are allowed to excel in this environment.”

Gretchen is originally from Peoria, Illinois. She has made Mahomet her home for the last 35 years. Gretchen is a Business Development Officer at Fisher National Bank and brings her financial background and expertise to the Foundation. More importantly she is also Gigi to Ike & Skip Jarvis. Gretchen joins the MAYC Foundation because she was drawn to the Foundation’s mission. The mission of MAYC/MAYC Foundation means that the ALL children in the community can grow and thrive. She absolutely adores children and is a great addition to the Board!

“It’s impossible,” said pride. “It’s risky,” said experience. “It’s pointless,” said reason. “Give it a try, “whispered the Heart. ~Unknown

“It is in giving that we receive.” Saint Francis

Lucas Schoonover graduated from Mahomet-Seymour HS and has lived in Mahomet for the last 10 years with his wife Stacey. He helps run his family business called Schoonover Sewer Service that specializes in drain cleaning along with televising and locating of drain pipes. Lucas joined the MAYC Foundation because he believes in the mission to help support MAYC-the Club and the desire to establish long term funding for the MAYC-the Club through the work of the MAYC Foundation. With the goal to improve all aspects of support/education for our current and future youth, Lucas looks forward to learning from and also adding to a great group of people already serving on the Foundation Board. He brings both his business and personal network to the Foundation.  He may not always have an answer, but he feels that he can contact multiple reliable sources, to help provide information that can help educate or lead the MAYC Foundation in the correct direction.

“The ultimate measure of a man (leader) is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” -Martin Luther King, Jr.

Kim Stelle is from Princeton, IL and moved to Mahomet with her husband to raise her  three children. She has always been involved with helping youth by volunteering for organizations that serve homeless children in Springfield, IL. Becoming involved with the MAYC Foundation aligned with her desire to help be part of something that makes a positive impact on the youth of Mahomet.

“I have three children in the Mahomet school district, so I am aware of the needs and challenges facing today’s youth. “

Kevan Melchiorre has lived in the Mahomet community for over 10 years and is originally from the northwest suburbs of Chicago.  He is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Tenet Wealth Partners, a wealth advisory and financial planning firm located in Champaign.  Kevan joins the MAYC Foundation to support a positive environment and future outcome for children in our local community.  As a father, he is a firm believer in providing a strong foundation for our children now so that they have the best opportunity to develop into successful, contributing members of society.  He thinks that MAYC-the Club does an incredible job of providing this foundation, so he wanted to join as a member of the MAYC Foundation Board to do his part and support the mission of ensuring the longevity of MAYC-the Club. Not only does Kevan bring his business know-how sense in financial management but also his local connections with other key people and business owners within the community. Kevan will surely prove to be an asset with his genuine enthusiasm to help support the MAYC Foundation cause.

Margaret King White grew up in Danville, Illinois. After graduating from Schlarman High School, she graduated from the University of Illinois, and completed her Masters in Social Work from the University of Iowa. She and her husband Ron have lived in Mahomet for 34 years, raising their son’s Mike and Andrew. In addition, they have a bonus daughter, Danielle Vietor Reed, who attended MAYC from grade school through high school.

Margaret has been involved in MAYC as a volunteer since its inception. During her time as MAYC Board President, MAYC began the BLAST Program, an after-school enrichment program for MAYC attendees and all children within the MS School district.

Margaret has worked as school social worker, Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Illinois School of Social Work, and as a Regional Coordinator of PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports), and Safe and Drug Free Middle Schools. She is a Past President of the Champaign County Mental Health Board, and currently volunteers for Mahomet Rotary, MAYC, MAYC Foundation, Mahomet Library and Habitat. Her favorite activity is playing with her grandchildren!

“MAYC has made an amazing difference in the lives of children and families. The MAYC Foundation will ensure kids will continue to have a fun, supportive, safe and educational Club within our community.”