The Malon D. Mimms Boys & Girls Club of Cherokee County has received a major financial boost and will be welcoming new leadership next month.

Kristine Pruss, the executive director of the Franklin Road Boys & Girls Club in Marietta, will take over the same position with the Cherokee club.

David Carriker, regional vice president for the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta, said she is "very sharp" and has grown the Cobb club since taking over its leadership.

Ms. Pruss is filling the position formerly held by Jeff Brooks, who left the Cherokee club this summer after 12 years of service to work for a software architect company.

The Cherokee club received more good news on Thursday as The CarMax Foundation presented a $15,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta. The money will be used to enhance education programs at the Cherokee club.

Carriker said the donation is important, especially in a time of an economic slowdown, which means difficulty in raising funds.

"If they don't stay on grade level and don't graduate from high school, doors close like crazy," he said about the need for the club to keep its members focused on their education.

When the Thursday gift is added to previous donations, the CarMax Foundation has given $23,000 this year in support of the club.

Club board member Larry Woolard of Concept Interstate Properties Inc. said CarMax not only give money, its employees also volunteer at the club. The employees entertained club members with a water fun party in the summer and help with the annual Christmas party.

"We are truly overwhelmed by the generosity of this organization," he said. "They are wonderful, caring individuals and exemplify what it means to truly get involved in your local community."

Ed Ragsdale of Cherokee County, Atlanta regional giving committee chairman for CarMax, said he sees the results of the club's efforts in the community.

"They are well-behaved, polite, good members of the community," he said about young people who participate in the club.

Ragsdale, the general manager of the CarMax location in Kennesaw, said the company's employees make the recommendation on charities they would like to see receive donations from the company.

Tyrone Gates, program director for the Cherokee club, said the nonprofit organization also is doing better attracting members.

So far this year, the club has enrolled close to 300 young people at its facility on Univeter Road in Canton.

At this time last year, he said the club had closer to 200 children enrolled. The enrollment period began at the beginning of October.