Ken Felten

Ken Felten , President - Ken@AFIns.com
...
Ken Felten , President - Ken@AFIns.com
...
Ken Felten , President - Ken@AFIns.com

Kenneth Felten, of Arden & Felten Insurance of Vero Beach, FL, was named 2002 Community Service Award winner for his work in creating and opening the first Boys & Girls Club in Indian River County.

"In 1997, when I was president of the United Way of Indian River County, our board established a task force to determine what were the real needs of our community," Felten said."We found that there were limited programs to address adequately the needs of our children, ages 6 to 18.We felt that we had to do something about it.But what?Then-purely by accident-I came across an article on Boys & Girls Clubs and how lives of these children were positively affected.I said, ‘That's it!'"

...
Felten learned that Boys & Girls Clubs provided safe havens for young people to go after school that had proven programs that would change lives.He then began his three-year task of bringing the club to Indian River County.

By the year 2000, Indian River County had its first Boys & Girls Club, due to those diligent efforts.Today two clubs offer some 400 youths a range of activities, both indoors and out.And a "power hour" provides time for children to do their homework after school in a safe setting.

"For parents who both work and for single parent families, the club is ideal," Felten said."Our next step is to build a state-of-the-art youth facility in the nearby town of Sebastian, and three more facilities are on the drawing boards."

The youth facility in Sebastian is particularly interesting because, as Felten points out, it represents a partnership of the community and government."The government in Sebastian is building the outdoor portion of the club and will manage it, and we will build and manage the indoor activities.The City of Sebastian also provided us with a long-term lease on 12 acres for only $1.00 per year.I am hopeful that other municipalities locally and around the country will learn from their positive example," he said.
...
It is said that Ken Felten "is a man with vision, the inspiration and the energy to make miracles happen."His special project to help the youth of Indian River County is extraordinary.His leadership in adopting the Boys & Girls Club has formed one of the premiere youth serving agencies in this area, which will positively impact thousands of children in the year to come.

Honorable mentions recognize additional actions

Five other insurance agents were "Honorable Mention" recipients for their special community service projects:

Kenneth D. Felten of Arden & Felten Insurance in Vero Beach, Florida, sits in on a homework session at the Boys & Girls Club in Vero Beach.Felten was instrumental in creating the first Boys & Girls Club in Indian River County.

The Rough Notes Company recently honored six independent insurance agents for volunteering their time, efforts and financial resources to help others within their local communities.Each agent has recognized the need and perhaps a responsibility to help others who are less fortunate.Each was willing to perform extraordinary services without any public recognition.

Kenneth D. Felten of Arden & Felten Insurance of Vero Beach, Florida, received The Rough Notes Company's 2002 Community Service Award for his untiring efforts to create and open the first Boys & Girls Club in Indian River County."In 1997, when I was president of the United Way of Indian River County, our board established a task force to determine what were the real needs of our community," says Felten."We found that there were limited programs to address adequately the needs of our children, ages 6 to 18.We felt that we had to do something about it.But what?

"Then, purely by accident, I came across an article on Boys & Girls Clubs and how lives of these children were positively affected.I said, 'That's it!' " Ken discovered that Boys & Girls Clubs provided safe havens for young people to go to after school, havens that would change lives.Ken then began his three-year task of bringing the club to Indian River County.

CSA 3Ken Felten, second from right, receives The Rough Notes Company's Community Service Award.
...
"For parents who both work and for single parent families, the club is ideal," says Felten."Our next step is to build a state-of-the-art youth facility in the nearby town of Sebastian, and three more facilities are on the drawing boards."

The youth facility in Sebastian is particularly interesting because, as Ken points out, it represents a partnership of the community and government."The government in Sebastian is building the outdoor portion of the club and will manage it, and we will build and manage the indoor activities.The City of Sebastian also provided us with a long-term lease on 12 acres for only one dollar per year.I am hopeful that other municipalities locally and around the country will learn from their positive example," says Felten.

CSA 8