Teen Leadership Corps hosting fundraiser

SANDUSKY — The area organization Teen Leadership Corps is putting on an upcoming fundraiser. It's scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 20 at the Sandusky Yacht Club, 529 E. Water St., Sandusky. "This event is our primary source of funding," said Erie County commissioner Matt Old, who also serves as the local organization's executive director. Randy Gardner, the state's chancellor of higher education, is the event's featured speaker. Tickets are $75 per person. Sponsorships are available for $250, $500 and $1,000. People can purchase tickets and ask questions by emailing Old at matt@teenleadershipcorps.org Looking at TLC Often shortened to TLC, Teen Leadership Corps motto is "lead, serve and inspire the world," according to an organizational statement. It's considered a nonprofit funded by individual and corporate sponsors. The organization was started in 2007 by a Huron High School teacher Mary Ann Creamer. "We teach high school students leadership skills through planning and carrying out service projects around our community," Old said. Currently, the organization has more than 600 students in 32 schools spanning 14 counties taking part in activities. Locally, Edison, Huron, Perkins, Sandusky Central Catholic School and Vermilion are Teen Leadership Corps schools. "Throughout the school year, students work with their teachers to choose impactful service projects that they believe are needed around their school and community," Old said. "The students figure out what supplies are needed and how to raise the money to pay for each project," he added. "This gives them the opportunity to work with local businesses and develop relationships while practicing their soft skills: communication, professional writing, making phone calls, teamwork, creative thinking, etc." Additionally, the classes also invite business, community and political leaders to speak to them about what role they play in the community and their own leadership style.