Over the last few weeks, we have been giving you a look into the past leadership of our organization and some fun facts from our early years. We have previously discussed the founding of Kids, Inc., and our earliest leaders. CLICK HERE to find those posts. By 1962, Kids, Inc. had grown so much that the organization now needed a full-time director. Earl Smith happily stepped into the role and stayed in the position for the next 11 years.  

     Smith inherited a part-time staff of employees back in 1962. He quickly realized a full-time staff, even a small one, was a necessity. Even with this full-time group in place, volunteers contributed a great amount of work to the organization. Finding volunteers was, and still is, one of the greatest challenges faced by Kids, Incorporated. At this time, “Round-Up” groups had the responsibility of recruiting volunteers. Smith saw the importance of these volunteers and made it his mission to “recruit the recruiters”. To accomplish this, he created the Round-Up Guardian Club. Members of this club were top-tier Round-Up coordinators and usually met Sunday mornings before church. During Smith’s time with Kids, Incorporated, the organization also began utilizing gymnasiums and facilities provided by AISD and further built their relationship with the City of Amarillo Parks and Recreation department. Overall, Smith led Kids, Incorporated through a major period of growth and change.