Meet the Youth of the Year

Please join us for a scheduled guided tour of any of our facilities to meet with our Youth of the Year, and see our life-saving programs in action. Tours are available every Wednesday at 3 p.m! Appointment is necessary. Please RSVP at 941-366-3911 or email vmiller@boysandgirlsclubs.com

Boys & Girls Clubs Week

For more than 100 years, the Boys & Girls Clubs have steadily saved lives and changed futures for millions of young people.  Through this success, which is a result of the community’s commitment to children, the Club invites the community to celebrate National Boys & Girls Club Week March 25-31.  As part of our weeklong celebration, the Clubs encourage the community to attend our Open House of the Lee Wetherington Club on March 26th, the Roy McBean Club on March 27th, and the Gene Matthews Club on March 28th – all are open from 2-4pm.

In addition, on Thursday, March 29th, we will be hosting, along with Cold Stone Creamery located at 1900 Main Street, “Celebrity Scoop” from 1pm – 4pm. The Celebrity Scoop will feature three “Flavors of the Day” developed by Club members that will be scooped by local celebrities along with Club members. Please stop by and show your support and enjoy some delicious ice cream!

The week will close with a Fishing Clinic. Kids’ Fishing Clinics are one-day educational events hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. One of the main goals of the Clinics is to create responsible marine resource stewards by teaching children the vulnerability of Florida’s marine ecosystems. The clinic is open to all youth ages 5-15. Space is limited to the first 200 participants and a child must be accompanied by an adult. Each child will also receive free rod & reel and tackle to take home while supplies last. Volunteers and Sponsors are also need to help with the clinic.

“This should be our most exciting celebration,” said Mack Reid, president/CEO. “We plan to show the community the rich diversity of programs and benefits the Club provides to our young people.”  For more information about Boys & Girls Club Week activities, please contact Cheryl McDuffee, Director of Special Events at 941-366-3911 x121 or cmcduffee@boysandgirlsclubs.com.

Saving Lives Luncheon

"You saved my life." The Boys & Girls Clubs hear this quote a lot. And it’s true. The Clubs have helped enrich the lives of millions of children, and has allowed them to enhance their talents and improve their education, and we could not have done it without the generous support of our donors. Please join us on Thursday, April 5th from 12pm – 1pm at Michael’s on East, to hear testimonies from the kids we serve, and find out how you personally can help save a life. To RSVP, please call 941-366-3911 or email vmiller@boysandgirlsclubs.com

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Volunteer of the Month

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County are thrilled to announce that February’s Volunteer of the Month is Joan Verizzo.  Joan is currently a lieutenant with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Department -- the highest ranking female, and has been employed in law enforcement for 23 years.  As a previous teacher and Librarian, Joan’s support to the Clubs includes an extensive resume as serving on the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Founders Club, and many committees including currently serving as Chair of the Program Committee.

“Joan is such a wonderful and dedicated person, and we are blessed to have her not only serve the Sarasota community – but also the Boys & Girls Clubs.  We could never be able to repay her for all that she has done for the kids at the Clubs” states Mack Reid, President/CEO of the Clubs.

“I am so proud of the achievements of all the kids who have attended the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County.  We tend to highlight the ones who have gone on to college, won awards, or achieved fame, but we are just as proud of the ones who are contributing to our community by working hard, being loving family members, and being good citizens.  I am a single mom of a 15 year old daughter.  Helping her to grow up to be a wise, caring, and responsible adult is my most important mission in life.  Likewise, the mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs is important so that all our members will develop their full potential.  But none of this would be possible without the hard work of the amazing staff and wonderful volunteers.  I feel privileged to be a part of this dedicated group” states Joan.

Joan regards her most rewarding position as the School Resource Officer at Booker Middle School and Booker High School working with students. She has attended New College and USF, and has received her J.D. Degree from the University of Florida. GO GATORS!!

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Women Leadership Council

The Boys & Girls Clubs’ Women's Leadership Council and Take Stock in Children have teamed together to create a pilot seminar for children using the book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens", by Sean Covey. The program is geared for children in the 8th and 9th grade and is being developed to help bridge the gap from middle school to high school. The program was made possible by a generous donation from the Hedge Family Trust and will start in April. To learn more or to help support this program by making a financial contribution, please call Veronica Brandon Miller at 941-366-3911 ext. 126 or vmiller@boysandgirlsclubs.com

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Partner of the Month

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County is forever grateful for all the support we receive from the Carpenter Public Relations Firm. The President, Scott Carpenter has donated countless hours in helping the Clubs develop and implement an annual marketing plan.

 “Scott is very talented and has been a sincere asset in helping the Clubs spread our message through ads, press releases, and more”, states Veronica Brandon Miller, V.P. of Marketing and Development.

Scott is passionate about his involvement with the Clubs and states; “I can’t think of a better investment than making a difference in the life of a child.  There are so many that need our help and I’m proud to have my public relations agency be part of the mission.  I invite everyone to join us by investing your time, energy and money into creating a better tomorrow for these children.”

Please contact Carpenter Public Relation 941.586.6312 or scott@carpenterpr.com, and say “Thank You” for helping the community and the children at the Boys & Girls Club.

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Alumni of the Month

Growing up in Clubs offers many opportunities to kids that they normally don’t have.  Our Alumni of the Month of February, China Smith states that “he feels blessed to have had the opportunities he received at the Boys & Girls Clubs”, and is now coordinating activities for the Clubs.  China is a heavy-weight boxer and CEO of his own personal training and life development counseling company called “Best in Class”.  Please visit him on the web at www.myspace.com/chinadsmith.

“One of the greatest rewards in working for the Boys & Girls Clubs, is knowing that you have helped a kid continue his dream and be successful, and we are very proud of China,” states Bill Sadlo, Chief Operating Officer for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County.

If you are alumni of the Boys & Girls Clubs – please contact Tonya Huber @ 941-366-3911 x101 or e-mail thuber@boysandgirlsclubs.com.

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Celebrity Scoop

Make sure you mark your calendars for Thursday, March 29th and join us at Cold Stone Creamery, 1900 Main Street for "Celebrity Scoop". Sam Franzone, owner and Boys & Girls Club alumnus, is partnering with the Clubs during National Boys & Girls Club week to help raise awareness. Local celebrities, such as Mayor Fred Atkins, will be joining Club members and spending the afternoon scooping ice cream. The event will feature three "Flavors of the Day" designed by Club members, with a portion of the proceeds going back to the Club. Door prizes will be given away hourly. So come on down to Main Street from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m., show your support and enjoy some of the best ice cream in town!

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Why I Work at the Boys & Girls Club

The Boys & Girls Clubs have been saving and changing lives for many years. In fact, many of the youth that attend the Clubs become counselors or volunteers, because they want the kids that come after them to have the same hope and opportunity that they had.

This is true also for Fred Monix, Unit Director at the Roy McBean Club in Newtown, who states "Just knowing that I was able to touch or change not just a young person’s life but someone’s life. Whether people realize it or not we change parent’s lives too, and that’s a great reward."

Member Highlight

Name: Jamai
Age: 10
Favorite Color: Blue
BGC Member: 1 Year

"I love the Boys & Girls Club. My brother and I play sports, have fun and stay out of trouble."

"My mom likes it cause we do our homework and it keeps us safe."

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Thank You To Our Supporters

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County rely on grants, through both the federal and state governments and local foundations to sustain our Club programs. We would like to thank the following foundations and organizations for their support of these Club programs:

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Donations

Are you or your office about to redecorate and retire some furniture that is still in good condition?  Or, would you like to donate your car? Please think of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County. Everything is tax deductible and helps the Clubs continue their life-saving mission.  Call 941-366-3911 for more information on vmiller@boysandgirlsclubs.com.

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