The GREAT Summer Component was first
implemented in the Summer of 1996, sponsored by the Griffith and
Highland Police Departments. During the first two years, the
program was totally funded by donations raised by Corporals George
Georgeff (Highland P. D.) and Michael Kuhn (Griffith P.D.) from
local businesses and civic organizations. It was later learned
that this accomplishment was unique in that it was the only
privately funded G.R.E.A.T Summer Program.
In recent years, the program has been funded by federal and local
grants, including the generous support of The Partnership for a
Drug-Free Lake County.
Since 1996, over 500 middle-schoolers have benefited from this
skills-building program. Since the beginning by Kuhn and Georgeff,
Griffith officers Marlene Starcevich, Greg Stevens and Hector
Arroyo have continued the program. For 2002, Mike Kuhn and new
Highland GREAT Officer Shawn Anderson will continue the program.
Throughout the years, the students have been provided lunch for
the two week program, and have been inspired and educated by many
guest presentations from civic and governmental speakers. Trips
have been made to county parks, water parks, movies, and
major-league baseball games. The Summer 2001 students
attended a baseball in which the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the
Chicago Cubs by 2 home runs which were hit by future hall-of-famer
Mark McGuire. All in attendance of that game will be able to
relate that experience to their grandchildren.
In addition to the outings, the Summer program challenges the
middle-Schoolers with fun and physical competitions. Winning teams
are awarded valuable prizes provided by the program. During the
Summer, 2001 program, over 20 CD stereos and several bicycles were
given to the top students and those winning the poster design
competition. All participants left with t-shirts, basketballs,
footballs, soccer balls, sports bottles, and other valuable and
fun prizes.
The communities of Highland and Griffith should be proud of the
support given to its' GREAT Summer Component.
The Summer 2002 GREAT program runs for 2 weeks, Monday through
Friday, and the hours will probably be from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00
p.m. each day. Lunch is provided. The location is the
Lincoln Center in Highland, Indiana.
