Ally has spent the past few weeks reviewing wish lists, sending emails, and taking numerous calls, organizing our annual ‘Sponsor A Child’ drive, which gathers presents for our Club Kids during the holidays. Thanks to numerous donors, funders, and our generous Board members, hundreds of presents were given to our Club Kids last week. This is a big and meaningful job, but for Ally, it’s also deeply personal, as she began her journey with our Club back in 3rd grade.
“From the moment I walked through the doors here, I felt welcomed by numerous staff members who greeted me like I was family,” said Ally, who began attending The Club when her parents divorced. Her mom needed a safe and affordable place where her two children could enjoy enriching and educational activities with kind and caring adult mentors. Ally grew to love the Clubs’ activities, environment and staff. This once shy and quiet girl went on to volunteer with the younger kids in middle school. Later in high school, Ally represented our Club as the county-wide Youth of the Year.
Ally has worked for The Club since she was 15 years old, first at our Griset Clubhouse in Encinitas and now serving now as our Donor Relationship Manager, helping to make sure we have the funds needed to support all of our programs, especially for those kids who receive financial assistance to attend The Club, as she and her brother did all those years ago. She knows firsthand that one staff member, one Clubhouse, and one Boys & Girls Club can make a difference, as it made the difference for her Great Future here with us.
