When Tina Guirguis was elected president of Bridgeport High School Key Club this past May, she presented a challenge to members.

 

“She wanted us to each have a personal project and to come back to school knowing how to get it done and do that project during the school year,” said Nate Madden, BHS sophomore and Key Club member.”

 

Madden’s project – a “Take a Book, Leave a Book” stand – is already complete and ready to service residents at Bridgeport City Park.

 

Built by the father of Division Key Club Lt. Gov. Will Snider, - Larry Snider, owner of Snider Construction in Weston - the wooden stand is filled with books and protects them from elements of weather. Among the approximately three dozen books are those appropriate for children and teens, as well as some adult reads, Madden said.

 

“If you see a book you like, you’re welcome to take it home and read it,” he said.

 

Ideally, if someone borrows a book from the stand, he or she would replace it with another, but that’s not mandatory, Madden said. On the flip side, if someone has some books they feel are appropriate and would like to donate them, they are welcome to do so.

 

Madden said the idea for his project came from his mom Wendy, who volunteers time with Literacy Volunteers of Harrison County. When her son asked for suggestions for his Key Club project, she thought that would be ideal for the city. Her son agreed and put a plan into action. The stand was completed last week and placed at City Park, just to the left of restroom facilities. 

It was Madden’s idea to put the book stand at City Park because it is so well populated by kids and adults. He asked Parks and Recreation Director Don Burton for permission and Burton was very receptive of the idea.

 

“Anything that enhances our park and our city and provides a service to our residents is always welcome,” Burton said.

 

There are a couple of other BHS Key Club projects in the works that will benefit city residents. Member Megan Rinker is working on implementing an arts festival at City Park and Doug Soule is working on a recycling project through Bridgeport Farmers Market Labor Day weekend.

 

Madden said the BHS Key Club does a lot of good work in the community, including Zul's Lemonade sales during BHS football season, organization of the Bridgeport Homecoming Parade and assisting Johnson and Simpson elementary schools with their fall festivals and – his favorite – playing bingo with the residents of Meadowview Manor each Wednesday. That was the project that got him hooked.

 

“I joined Key Club last year as a freshman honestly because I thought it would look good on my resume to be part of the club all four years of high school,” he said. “But when I went to play bingo the very first time, I thought it was the best thing ever.”

 

From that point on, Madden’s membership meant a lot to him as he got more and more involved.

 

“I became chair of the bingo committee and ran for treasurer of the school club – and was elected,” he said.

 

Schools including BHS, Robert C. Byrd, Notre Dame and Lincoln are included in the same Key Club Division. Schools work together and help each other with various projects. In the works right now is a second “Take a Book, Leave a Book” stand at Notre Dame High School, Madden said. 

 

Nate Madden is the son of Wendy and Dr. Jeff Madden. 

 

Editor's Note: Pictured are Madden and other members of the BHS Key Club installing the book stand at Bridgeport City Park. Photos are courtesy of Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Director Don Burton.  Faculty sponsor of the BHS Key Club is Charlene Keener.