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It Took a Village... In 1970, it cost $1.00 for a boy to attend the “Boys Club” of Sarasota County, and if he couldn’t pay $1.00, the Club had a way that he could earn that money to attend. Well, $1.00 was destined to change, but the philosophy remains the same, no child is ever turned away from attending our Club due to financial hardship. In recognition of our 40th anniversary, we sat down with former board member and State Senator, Bob Johnson, recently to talk about the history of the Boys & Girls Club. Straight away, he remembered Helene Morris, long-time community leader and proponent of women and children. Yes, a smart, poised female spear-headed the Boys Club of Sarasota County. Johnson said that Helene, being very influential, easily convinced a group of colleagues to support a Boys Club in Sarasota—that group consisted of Johnson, Fred Soto, Wells Purmort, Elliott Metcalf, George Strong and other city leaders. At that time, the Fairgrounds had several acres on Fruitville Road and with the support of the above-mentioned community leaders, the Fair Board voted to offer part of their land (five acres) to the Boys Club and so it was agreed, in 1970, the Boys Club would open east of the Fairgrounds on Fruitville Rd. Programs and activities are similar today, but have evolved with new technology and a purpose to nurture the well-being of the whole child and instill in them the vision of a promising future. Johnson's personal experiences influenced him to support an after-school program. "I had to drop out of high school at an early age and was forced into being a care taker to my [siblings]," says Johnson. He knows what it’s like without the guidance of adults. Fortunately for Johnson, he had great internal strength and wisdom that jumpstarted him through life. By observing others and through spending time with friends’ families, he discovered that he wanted to become an attorney—eventually becoming a State Senator, serving as Chairman of Education. Johnson's role model was his step father, a sergeant in the Air Force. He believes that “all kids need a role model.” In the first newsletter of the “Boys Club” appeared an article that read “you don’t have to be rich to help a boy read, to run a party, to coach or to share your hobby.” This is as true today as it was 40 years ago. Today, we serve thousands of boys AND GIRLS. The support of our community is tremendous, and just like it was for Bob Johnson and Helene Morris, merely one person can rally a whole community. Program News
BGC Club Tech Members Win Awards This month, four BGC Club Tech Members in Sarasota County won top regional awards in the 8th Annual Club Tech Digital Arts Festivals, a competition among all the BGCs across the country. And our very own, Celeste Curtis, a member of the Robert and Joan Lee Club in Venice became the 2010 National winner for Photo Tech in the 13-15 age group winning an expenses-paid trip to Atlanta to learn about real world application of the skills learned through the program. In contests held locally, regionally and nationally, the Digital Arts Festivals celebrate creativity and technical abilities of area Boys & Girls Club members. Members are encouraged to combine these elements to generate a digital masterpiece in one of four categories—photo illustration, music production, filmmaking and graphic design. Members created artwork that reflected this year’s theme “BE CREATIVE.” From magazine ads and bumper stickers or billboards, to clay animations or PSAs and digital music, the artwork was judged based on age, artistic merit and demonstrated technological skills of the members.
Alex Gomez of the Lee Wetherington Club created a China Smith billboard advertisement to show that Boys & Girls Clubs positively influences kids to become successful adults regardless of ethnic background or financial circumstances. Courtney Hall and Kara Lescarbeau of the Lee Wetherington Club together created a “Be Great Graduate” public service announcement to inspire youth to work hard in school and graduate, because a high school diploma will get you a better job and a better life. The PSA also serves to educate kids on the benefits of graduating high school and the consequences of dropping out. Through Club Tech, members are introduced to the world of clay animation, robotics, game design, digital movie making, photo illustration, graphic design, music production and Web design. Youth follow an interactive, age-appropriate curriculum and complete various projects throughout the year. BGC Culinary Features Healthy Kids Program
Spring boarding off their “Health Starts Here” initiative, Nikki Heil, Whole Foods Market Marketing and Community Relations Specialist, has developed a two-week program to pilot at the Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club. Heil together with parenting experts Jim and Louise McKenzie, founders of 6KidsNFit.com, designed the program with success in mind—every participant signs an agreement to commit to healthier lifestyle choices. The program will run during the summer in three two-week sessions. Sessions include a nutritional overview and developing a budget-friendly shopping list with Heil and Jim and Louise McKenzie; tour of Whole Foods Market including label-reading guidelines; a sustainability session with Robert Kluson from the Sarasota Extension Office emphasizing the importance of supporting local producers; a cooking class with Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota Chefs; a cooking class with Chef Paul Mattison of Mattison’s Restaurants; lunch at Mattison’s City Grille to discuss healthy choices when dining out; and Cookbook author Vicki Chelf’s Vegetarian cooking class—discussing eating all the “colors of the rainbow.” With guidence from Heil and the McKenzie's, the program will be facilitated by Lee Wetherington BGC Youth of the Year, Alexis Montero, who has been very involved in the BGC Culinary Program for several years. Because of his involvement and his dedication to the Club, Montero is scheduled to attend Johnson & Wales in the fall to study culinary arts. Why a Healthy Eating Class at the Boys & Girls Clubs?
_____________________________________________________________ Resource Development News Day for Kids is Announced
One of the most important things adults and parents can give to kids is the gift of time. With two children of her own and as the product of a strong and dedicated family environment, internationally-known stage, TV and film celebrity, Robin Givens, will speak out about the importance of adults spending quality time with kids as the official spokesperson for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County (BGCSC) “Day for Kids.” Givens will advocate on behalf of BGCSC and touch many people with her story of family support, her quest for achievement and her relationships with caring adults who mentored her to a successful career in both performing arts and as a writer. Conceived by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, “Day for Kids” was created to build stronger relationships between adults and children with fun family activities nationwide. In Sarasota County, Day for Kids will be held on September 25, 2010 and features a “Walk for the Kids” fundraiser at each of the four Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County: the Lee Wetherington Club in Sarasota, the Roy McBean Club in Newtown, the Robert and Joan Lee Club in Venice and the Gene Matthews Club in North Port. After the walks, each Club will host free activities for kids and adults to do together. BGCSC has made it easy for everyone to be involved in Day for Kids. Here’s what you can do:
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Upcoming Fundraising Events Crow's Nest Treasure Hunt and Poker Run Cruise the waters of Venice, gathering clues to find the treasure and gather cards for your Poker hand. To benefit the Robert & Joan Lee Club in Venice. For more information, go to crowsnest-venice.com or call 941-484-7661.
Day for Kids Day for Kids' mission is to celebrate and honor America's youth through the gift of meaningful time with adults. Talk, listen, play and share the day with our BGC kids. There will be a 5K walk at all the clubs followed by games and activities. More details...
Dream Makers Ball All our BGC kids have dreams--some as simple as having a good job and a nice house or helping mother pay the bills; and some as complex as stopping hunger, curing cancer or being a scientist or astronaut. With encouragement and persistence, these dreams can become reality. Help us help them live their dreams.
Contact us:Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County www.boysandgirlsclubs.com |
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