Cox is a dedicated partner of Boys and Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia and the featured sponsor for this quarter's newsletter. Learn more about them here.

On Monday, August 28, Cox organized an inspirational visit from NFL Super Bowl football player Malcolm Mitchell at our 9th Street Club. As a digital literacy champion with Cox, Malcolm shared about the importance of reading with Club members. Read more about his visit and see additional photos here.

Photo credit: Aaron Spicer Productions

Turning Lemons into Lemonade: A Heartfelt Thank You to our Amazing Community!

Dear Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia Community,

It is said that when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. Well, our community has taken this adage to heart and turned a sour experience into a sweet blend of unity and support. 

As you may have heard, there was a bike theft incident that occurred on our Club premises. This unfortunate event could have left us disheartened and discouraged. However, what transpired in the aftermath has truly warmed our hearts.

In the face of adversity, the community stepped up in ways we could have never anticipated. The outpouring of kindness, generosity, and resilience has been nothing short of remarkable. From individuals offering their assistance to local businesses extending helping hands, your response has not only replenished our spirits but also reinforced the sense of togetherness that defines our Boys & Girls Club family. Between the $14,262 that was raised in partnership with our friends at K92 through the radio campaign and bike donations, our cycling program will be back better than ever, in addition to measures taken to enhance security on our property. 

Once again, thank you, dear community members, for reminding us that even in the face of adversity, together we can turn lemons into the sweetest lemonade imaginable. We are immensely grateful for your continued partnership and look forward to creating an even brighter future for the youth of Southwest Virginia.

I invite you to read ahead for more stories that reflect the impact of your generosity. Learn how donor support benefited kids this past summer and how to engage with us and support our mission as we transition to our school year programming this fall.

With heartfelt thanks,

Rebekah Meadows  

Chief Executive Officer

[email protected]  

Thank you to everyone who supported the 24th annual ParTEE and Pro-Am for Kids this past May and the 12th annual Four on the 4th this past July. Combined, the events raised more than $180,000 in gross proceeds for our Clubs! The success was made possible by our sponsors, participants, volunteers, and partners. We are grateful to all who engaged with us - what fun we had!

SUMMER CAMP BY THE NUMBERS

We are grateful to everyone who supported our Summer Camp Club Experience. Because of generous donors, local youth had an accessible, safe, and productive place to spend their summer days when school was out. 481 Club members participated in activities that kept their minds engaged and bodies active. 156 field trips were taken providing opportunities Club members may not otherwise have had. Summer 2023 was one for the books!

"What I loved most about being a Club kid this summer was going to the pool with my friends." - Breniyah, Grade 6

MURPHY USA CAMPAIGN

An easy way to support our Clubs! Between August 2nd and October 31st, Murphy USA employees will ask customers to roundup or support Boys & Girls Club by donating $1, $5 or $10 at the register. Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia will receive proceeds from this campaign.

“Giving back is part of our broader mission and commitment as an organization to our team members, customers, and communities. We are passionate about providing opportunities for the next generation,” said Andrew Clyde, President and CEO of Murphy USA.

DON'T MISS OUR SPECIAL FALL EVENT ON 10/10!

The annual Power of Moments Experience will take place on Tuesday, October 10th (World Inclusion Day) at The Jefferson Center from 5:30-8:00 p.m. and is FREE to attend. We often say that magic happens when young people enter the doors of Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia. The stories that arise from these magical moments are powerful. Building upon the storytelling success of the past two years, the 2023 not-to-miss event, presented by P1 Technologies, celebrates the launch of our podcast series, allows attendees to hear from featured podcast guests about issues facing youth today and Club impact, and provides the opportunity to invest in our meaningful mission. Food and beverage will be served. Come ready to be amazed as we kick off the program with a mesmerizing performance!

THE MAGIC WITHIN PODCAST LAUNCHES IN OCTOBER

We are launching a 5-episode podcast mini-series this fall! Each episode will focus on a challege local youth in our community face. We will bring together voices of community experts, Club partners, Club staff, and Club members to discuss Boys & Girls Club programming that helps young people overcome these challenges and sets them on the path toward great futures. You won't want to miss this informational and inspiring series. Keep an eye out for launch information this fall!

SHARING THE MESSAGE OF OUR MISSION IN THE NRV

Journalist Jo Clark recently wrote an article about Boys & Girls Clubs of SWVA that was featured in the July/August edition of New River Valley Magazine. We were thrilled with this opportunity to share more about our mission with members of the NRV community.

CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

Sponsorship opportunities are still available for our Power of Moments Experience and podcast series. If you or your company are interested in learning more about the options available, we would love to connect!

CLUB ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS

On August 3, our friends from Feeding Southwest Virginia and The Hokie Way made a visit for a pop up farmers market at our Salem Club. Club kids used play money to shop for real fruits and veggies to take home.

Club members enjoyed a week at Apple Ridge Farm this summer. When asked during their hand drawing activity to write three things that they bring to Apple Ridge on three fingers and two things that they want to get out of Apple Ridge on the remaining, one camper wrote "curiosity" while several wrote "learn to fish!"

Armed with buckets, hoses, and a whole lot of energy, young change-makers from Burlington Boys & Girls Club embarked on a mission over the summer to serve their community by offering a free car wash. Their passion and dedication were evident as they eagerly approached the vehicles, ready to make them sparkle and shine.

Rocky Mount Elementary Boys & Girls Club students recently had an exciting opportunity to delve into the wonders of DNA during a captivating STEM class at their summer camp! With enthusiasm and ingenuity, they crafted their very own DNA models using a delightful combination of Twizzlers, gumdrops, and toothpicks. Witnessing their scientific exploration and hands-on learning was truly inspiring.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE EVERY DAY

We are looking for amazing people to join our team as Youth Development Staff this school year. If you are passionate about working with young people and changing lives, please visit the link below to learn about open positions or contact Michelle Crigger at (540) 904-7401.

If you believe our program would be a good fit for your family, please visit www.bgcswva.org/locations to find the Club in your area and contact the Unit Director to inquire about program details and availability.

Thank you to these partners who committed at the $2,500+ level of support during our 2023 Annual Corporate Partner Campaign