Volume 07 | March 4, 2019
MARCH 2019 NEWSLETTER
What a wild winter it has been! Record-breaking low temperatures and snowfall totals have led to several closures for Minneapolis and St. Paul Public Schools, requiring the Clubs to close as well. Through all of the chaos, our staff have worked hard to rearrange programming schedules and ensure that every Club kid gets home safe. We are grateful for their flexibility and dedication!
Great Futures Fair: Connecting Passion with Purpose

The Great Futures Fair will allow teens to explore the multitude of employment and educational opportunities that exist across the metro area, while prospective employers and educators interact first-hand with the next generation of employees and students.   

We are honored to welcome renowned entrepreneur, medical device developer, and Boys & Girls Club alumnus Manny Villafaña as the keynote speaker for our Great Futures Workforce Fair. Villafaña has founded several companies, including St. Jude Medical, Inc. and Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.

All organizations that register for the Great Futures Fair will receive complimentary admission for two (2) representatives to both the workforce fair and lunch/keynote session. To receive additional benefits, like logo inclusion on event marketing materials and tickets to future Boys & Girls Club events, consider becoming an Event Sponsor.

Spring Thaw Ticket Sales Extended Through Monday

If you have procrastinated purchasing your tickets for the 2019 Spring Thaw Gala, you're in luck--ticket sales have been extended through MIDNIGHT tonight! Don't miss out on your chance to enjoy a variety of delicious food stations, performances by Club youth, live and silent auctions, hosted wine and Fulton beer, and more. Get your tickets today!
Featured Live Auction Item: Como Zoo Private Tour & Giraffe Feeding Experience

Visit Como Park Zoo and Conservatory behind the scenes with a group of up to 10 guests. See what it takes to maintain happy and healthy animals and experience engaging exhibits with a professional zookeeper. Your tour will include exclusive access to feed the giraffes from your own hands! This is a priceless experience for you and your family and friends to remember forever. Tour must be scheduled with Como Zoo Monday – Friday, starting at 9:30 a.m. (prior to the park opening to the public and when the animals are most active). 
Skate the Star Surpasses Fundraising Goal

When we were presented with the opportunity to partner with  Mall of America  on their first-ever ice rink, we had no idea how successful it would be. But with your help, we raised $86,000 for the Clubs!

A HUGE "thank you" to all of you who volunteered with skate rentals and came out to  Skate the Star  this winter! 
Clubs Celebrate Black History Month

Throughout February, Club youth and staff engaged in conversations about important figures and events in Black history. Staff at our Southside Village Club took turns decorating the bulletin boards with interesting facts about Black History Month (pictured). Youth at our Jerry Gamble Club showed off what they had learned at a Black History Month celebration on Tuesday, February 26. The evening included educational performances and delicious food!
East Side Spreads the Love

This Valentine's Day, members of our East Side Club decided to spread the love for a good cause. Along with volunteers and members of the I WILL Project , a nonprofit dedicated to preventing suicide through community training and connection to resources, they  spent their Valentine’s Day passing out more than 500 flowers to strangers at the Mall of America. The flowers came with messages of hope, encouragement, and crisis resources.
Final Four Visits Jerry Gamble Club

The NCAA® brought the Final Four to our Jerry Gamble Club with a pop-up Fan Jam event on February 28! Youth were able to run drills with volunteer coaches, practice their shot, win prizes, and even take selfies with the real National Championship trophy.

The NCAA® and the 2019 Minneapolis Final Four Local Organizing Committee are committed to leaving a positive and lasting impact across Minneapolis, the metro area and the state of Minnesota.
You Can Change a Child's Life

With your support, we can continue to provide life-changing academic, leadership, and healthy lifestyles programming to youth across the Twin Cities.
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities | 651-726-2582 | info@bgc-tc.org | boysandgirls.org