The Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield and the Springfield community has lost a great friend and member of our Board, Mel Saunders. Mel has been involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs since 2003. He was a leader in our Invest to Invest program, participated in the Missouri Area Council and was a financial supporter.
Mel was one of the first to come forward and become a mentor to a young man in our Mission to Mentor program. Mel visited with his mentee each week at the Musgrave Unit and enjoyed learning about his family, playing pool and providing guidance. When Mel headed out of town and wasn’t able to make it to the club, he called his mentee on the phone and talked to him to see how he was doing and how his week was going. That’s how dedicated Mel was.
As a member of the Sertoma Club of Springfield, Mel could be found at countless fundraising events such as Wingapalooza, Chili Cookoff and Summer Sizzle.
In a recent article, when Mel was asked if he could spend 24 hours as a fictious superhero, who would it be, his response was so fitting of Mel: “Iron Man. By day he is a successful business man and by night an unforgettable superhero.”
Mel Saunders was a true friend to many and an overall great man. He will be missed by many.
We ask that you keep Mel’s wife, Theresa and son, Tyson and the rest of his family and friends in your prayers at this difficult time.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Tyson Saunders Education Trust, Wells Fargo Advisors, Attn: Joe Froehle, 1720 E. Bradford Parkway, Springfield, MO 65804.
