Dear Friends,

As we gather 'round the glow of the season, we’re filled with gratitude and excitement. This upcoming year marks a monumental milestone for Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County: 25 years of empowering youth and transforming futures!

Inside this newsletter, we’re delivering a sleigh full of updates from our Clubs. We hope you keep reading because there’s lots to share.

To kick things off, our Fellsmere and Vero Beach kids are here to spread holiday cheer with a special song and dance just for you. Click below to watch our adorable stars in action!

Reflecting on the past 25 years, we’re deeply grateful for you. Your generosity fuels life-changing programs that ensure over 850 youth annually have access to the support, mentorship, and opportunities they need to thrive. Your belief in our mission has made the past 25 years unforgettable — and together, we’re ready to make the next 25 even brighter.

From our Club family to yours, we wish you a joyful holiday season and a spectacular new year!

With Gratitude,

Elizabeth Thomason

CEO

Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County

Coming Up March 11th, 2025:



Angels Dinner Silver Jubilee

Celebrating 25 years of changing lives!

Sharing is caring!

Please share this email with anyone who might be interested in attending or sponsoring this milestone event.

When our Vero Beach kids heard that Fellsmere prepared a special number just for you, they wanted in on the action! Enjoy this mini holiday variety show from our members!

Youth of the Year

Since 1947, Youth of the Year has been Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier recognition program, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of Club members. The journey starts locally with the opportunity to progress to state, regional, and national.

A panel of community leaders judges each participant after reviewing their grades, written essays, 1:1 interview performance, public speaking skills, community service logs, letters of recommendation, resumes, and more.

Our Club competitions commenced earlier this month and will wrap up by mid-January. We are so proud of our participants! The amount of work and dedication that goes into this program is impressive. Each participant deserves a standing ovation!

Our County competition will be held next month. Stay tuned for more exciting news celebrating our bright Club kids!

Athletics

Athletics Update from Mr. Gardy!

2024 was an incredible year for BGC Athletics! We had 118 kids participate in the Indian River Soccer Association, where our U11/U12 team had a successful undefeated season and is eager to repeat this achievement next year. Additionally, 24 kids engaged in our Flag Football Season this spring. We also celebrated the accomplishment of 50 girls who completed a 5K through the Girls on the Run Program.

This summer, we saw a total of 191 participants in our clinics, which included Flag Football, Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball, and Esports. Furthermore, 61 kids successfully finished the Float Hope Learn to Swim program during the summer.

We collaborated with Crossover Mission and the Indian River State College Basketball Team for a successful community basketball event. We also participated in an excellent community basketball game between law enforcement and teens, organized by Thrive Coalition. A highlight of the year was our trip to the City of Orlando, where we took 40 kids to watch the Orlando Magic play. During this event, 22 of our members had the exciting opportunity to high-five players while participating in the kids' tunnel. 

We also took 40 members to see the Orlando City Soccer team, with 21 kids getting to participate in an on-field experience by waving the team flag.

Overall, we had a fantastic time in 2024! A big shout-out to our parents and guardians for their tremendous support of the organization. Our team works hard every day to provide high-quality experiences for our members. To our members, I am extremely proud and thrilled with the successes each of you has achieved this year.

"Keep up the hard work as you pursue your goals for 2025, and remember, Don’t try to find yourself; CREATE yourself!" 

~ Mr Gardy, BGCIRC Athletic Director

Honoring an Unforgettable Journey

After six years of unwavering dedication, our Chief Operating Officer, Laura Luettger, is embarking on a new adventure. What began as a role as a Career Counselor blossomed into a leadership journey marked by passion, heart, and a relentless commitment to our youth.

This photo represents just a glimpse of our Club members' love, respect, and gratitude for Ms. Laura. Two dozen alumni (and even some of their parents!) returned to honor her at her farewell party — a beautiful testament to her lasting impact on their lives. We are so proud of Laura as she embarks on her next chapter. We know she’ll continue to change lives, just as she’s done here in Indian River County.

Thank you, Ms. Laura, for everything. Your legacy of mentorship will continue to inspire for years to come.

National Fine Arts

Our talented Club kids are working hard preparing for the upcoming National Fine Arts Competition! Judging kicks off in February, showcasing creativity across categories like Applied Arts, Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Literary Arts, and Digital Arts.

Last year, our very own Vero Pre-Teen placed at the national level for her incredible poetry!

Here’s a sneak peek at some fun and festive creations from our Vero Beach littles.

Meet Our Club Directors

Mr. Monds (Vero Beach):

My name is Wonderful T. Monds II, and I am excited to introduce myself as the new Club Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Vero Beach!

I am committed to working with you as a team to ensure each child’s growth, development, and well-being. Open communication is key, and I invite you to reach out anytime with questions or discussions.

As a professional athlete, I was always learning the game to get better. As a professional educator, I’ve started teaching more than the game taught me.

I look forward to being part of the Boys & Girls Club family and supporting our children on their journey toward greatness. Together, we’ll achieve amazing things! 

Ms. Teresita (Fellsmere):

I have been proud to be part of the Boys & Girls Club family for nearly three years. My journey began in February 2022 as a Youth Development Professional, and in November 2023, I was honored to step into the role of Program Director. Most recently, in October of this year, I became the Club Director — a role that has been both exciting and deeply fulfilling.

What I love most about working at the Club is the meaningful connections I’ve built with both staff and members. Coming to work each day and hearing members share stories about their day or their lives is truly rewarding. These interactions remind me why I’m passionate about creating a supportive and welcoming environment for everyone at the Club.

Outside of work, I enjoy baking (even if cleaning up isn’t my favorite part), staying active, and focusing on my health. I’m also in the process of pursuing a degree in Business Administration.

I am deeply grateful to the Boys & Girls Club for believing in me. This organization has helped me realize my potential and opened doors to opportunities that continue to inspire me to become the best version of myself.



Mr. Robert (Sebastian):

Hello all! My name is Robert, I was born and raised in Vero Beach, and I have the pleasure of serving as the Club Director of the Sebastian Club!

I've been in my current role for nearly three years, but started with the movement originally in 2017 as a part-time staff member at our Vero Beach Club. I just graduated in December with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Outside the Club, I enjoy getting into the outdoors through camping, fishing, and barbecuing!

Being a part of the Boys & Girls Clubs movement allows us to make a positive impact in the lives of every child who walks through our doors. Children have it tough nowadays! Being able to mentor children and help them achieve their goals is deeply meaningful, both personally and professionally.

This next year, our Club is placing a larger focus on supporting our members' academic success through engaging STEM programs, intentional academic check-ins, and gathering important feedback from our members and families to inform our best practices.

When it comes to building up our children for future success, we'll do whatever it takes.

Thank you!

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our very own BGCIRC alumni and longtime supporters, Patriot Response Group!

Their thoughtful donations and presents will make this holiday season brighter for the kids at our Clubs. We are so grateful for their compassion, giving spirit, and dedication to spreading joy during this special time of year.

Thank you for making a difference and bringing smiles to so many young faces!

In Memoriam

Click here to learn more about Mr. Davala and The George A. Davala III Scholarship Award.

Your support helps fund after-school programs and educational services to the youth of Indian River County. When each child steps foot into the Boys & Girls Club, they are in a safe and positive environment where they are given the resources to realize their full potential. Every donation helps us build a stronger community together.

We appreciate your support! See you next year!