Boys and Girls Club Investment Winners Honored by Governor

(Columbus, Miss.)

Statewide winners of the Colom Foundation and Primerica Financial Services Boys and Girls Club Investment Competition were honored on Friday, March 26th at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson. Governor Haley Barbour and First Lady Marsha Barbour were on hand at the Capitol to recognize the winners and present prizes to the winning student participants and their respective Boys and Girls Clubs, including a winning team from West Point.

The investment club competition was a joint project between the Colom Foundation of Columbus, Miss. and Primerica Financial Services, a member of Citigroup. Primerica Financial Services volunteers worked with the Boys and Girls Clubs members on how money works and the principles of investing, budgeting, and other areas of financial literacy.

The program is the brainchild of Colom Foundation President Wil Colom. The idea for the investment clubs was one he had had for several years, he said, before joining with Primerica to bring the plan to fruition. The competition was held among thirty Boys and Girls Clubs across the state and featured categories of 9-11 year olds and 12-15 year olds.

“ We are so excited about the outcome of this program,” Colom said. “It is amazing the number of children who know so little about financial matters. Not understanding the rules of finance limits the future of many young people. The Colom Foundation thought this would be an excellent way to help young people begin to understand the language of money while having fun and earning money for themselves and their Boys and Girls Club. We were most fortunate in partnering with our friends at Primerica Financial Services to make this program an outstanding success.”

Primerica spokesman, Tony Dean added, “This program was so much fun for our Primerica Representatives who worked throughout the state with the Boys and Girls Clubs to really make this a unique partnership. We can’t say enough about the fine folks who run the Boys and Girls Clubs across the state and we are really excited about the kids coming to Jackson to receive their prizes from Governor and Mrs. Barbour.”

The winning clubs received a cash prize, as well as the students who represented the club. The winners in the 9-11 year old category are Pass Christian Boys and Girls Club, West Point Clay County Boys and Girls Club and the Tupelo Boys and Girls Club. The winners for the 12-15 year old category are Pelahatchie Boys and Girls Club, Pass Christian Boys and Girls Club and Tupelo Boys and Girls Club.

The winners received their prizes and recognition on Friday, March 26th at 10:30 a.m. on the third floor of the state capitol and were given a special tour of the Governor’s Mansion.