Kiwanis Club Welcomes Hank and Harley Hill

PANAMA CITY, FL - Kiwanis Club of Panama City, whose members are “dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time,” were delighted to welcome, on January 31st, Hank Hill, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Boys & Girls Clubs of Bay County, and his daughter, Harley, who was recently promoted to Aquatics Director for Boys & Girls Clubs.

As a child, Hill’s mom wanted him to be involved and to be active. Thanks to a scholarship donation from an anonymous person, he attended summer camp at age seven, where he was introduced to all kinds of activities. He began to learn cooperation, leadership, teamwork, to play by the rules and to play fair, skills that are still taught at Boys & Girls Clubs, that kids can’t learn sitting in front of a screen all day. Hill worked his way up to being a Unit Director, eventually becoming CEO.

Harley went to Mosley High School, has been in the Boys & Girls Clubs “forever,” actually since age five, having joined before the minimum age of six, because “she knew someone.” Harley was honored as Bay County's Youth of the Year in 2023. Harley participated in the state competition last spring with youth from all over Florida. After participating in the annual national competition that includes essay contest and interview process. The winner of the National Youth of the Year is installed by the President of the United States. At age 15, Harley became a lifeguard and then a staff person at Tyndall Academy Teen Center. After completing WSIT Academy in Clearwater, FL, she was certified by the Red Cross as a water safety instructor (WSIT), resulting in the promotion to Aquatics Director at the Boys & Girls Club.

Founded in 1965, Boys & Girls Clubs help kids to graduate with a plan for the future, a pathway for success, whether it is to gain immediate employment, to be an entrepreneur, to enlist in the military, where there are many career options, to go to trade schools which are helping to address the deficit of people skilled in blue collar trades, or to go to college. Another pathway to success is politics, such as that which was taken by Bill Dozier, Bay County Commissioner for District 3, who was once a Club Kid.

Hill is looking forward to the day when we can finally finish rebuilding all of the clubs that were damaged by Hurricane Michael, but due to the lack of sufficient funding through insurance coverage, this effort is taking much longer than expected. Rebuilding the former club in Millville, the Joseph F. Chapman Jr. Boys & Girls Club, is of special interest to Kiwanians. Hill said that there is partial funding available for that club which used to help 120 kids each day. There is $1.6M available to fund this project, which is now undergoing an environmental review. However, it is estimated that $2.2M is needed. While Club buildings are inoperable, school facilities are being used to serve Club members in the Millville and St. Andrews areas.

One of Hill’s concerns is that while spending time on social media, kids see themes that depict inhumane treatment. Clubs teach kids to listen and respond without violence, to learn self-discipline and other things that parents aren’t doing a great job teaching, perhaps due to not making ends meet or to being involved with drugs, causing grandparents to raise their grandchildren. He mentioned that there are more kids in foster care than ever before.

Harley spoke about the many rewards working with kids at a club. Many are getting to the age when they are starting to get into trouble, starting to make choices that need to be good choices. Mentors can make a major impact by connecting with kids and shaping their lives.

She mentioned a program called Passport to Manhood, to teach boys basics like treating ladies with respect. Smart Girls helps teach girls basics like how to be strong women and value themselves. They’re trying to address high suicide rates, to teach kids to make healthy choices, and to be civic-minded such as helping to clean up their own club, to make a difference and give back. Kids are introduced to cooking. They learn self-confidence, to be a leader, not a follower.

A shocking statistic is that our area has a drowning rate that is three times the national average because there is so much water around Panama City. Nationally, many of those who drown are children ages zero to four. Last year, the 19th Street club gave swim lessons to 197 people. This included adult members and even military, who learned to float, water safety and those who learned to swim. Mommy and Me water safety and swim lessons are available and can begin when the child is at least six months old.

Hill believes that we should always lead with what is best for kids. Kiwanis members agree.