The new leader of Cherokee County's Boys & Girls Club said she would like to see its young members become more active in the community.

Kristine Pruss of Acworth recently started in her new position as executive director of the Malon D. Mimms Boys & Girls Club in Canton, coming to the center from the Franklin Road Club in Marietta.

"There is only one club here, so there is a lot of opportunity to help grow the club," she said about her interest in coming to Cherokee.

To make the club's children more visible in the community, she wants to involve them as volunteers at places such as the Cherokee County Animal Shelter and Cherokee County Senior Services senior center. Both agencies neighbor the club's center, which is adjacent to Kenney Askew Park in Canton.

"I'm big on civic involvement," said Ms. Pruss, 27, who graduated from Florida International University with degrees in English, sociology and anthropology. "Cherokee has been so kind to the club. It is important for the kids to be involved. It will put us on people's minds and let them know who we are."

She would also like to bring in more tutors to help kids improve their test scores and grades.

Working with young people is something she has been doing since high school.

"It just felt like the path that I needed to take up," she said.

Ms. Pruss is replacing Jeff Brooks, who stepped down as executive director of the club in August after 12 years of service.

The club has grown in membership over the past year. There currently are 293 children registered, up from 264 children registered at this time last year. The club sees between 150 and 160 children a day.

David Carriker, regional vice president for the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta, said membership has been increasing since the club moved into its new building on Univeter Road about two years ago.

He said this year has been "OK" for fundraising, saying that individual and corporate donations "have been tough."

The club did receive a boost from the fall's successful charity "roast" of Cherokee County School Superintendent Dr. Frank Petruzielo, which made an estimated $55,000. The club has also received more than $20,000 in donations this year from the CarMax Foundation.

Carriker said he is excited about Ms. Pruss coming to Cherokee County.

"She is a real go-getter and loves to get out in the community," he said, adding she was successful in growing the membership of the Franklin Road Club. "She learns in a hurry and understands our mission. The folks in Cherokee County will really enjoy getting to know her."