Greetings!
From all of us here at BGCIRC, Happy Holidays to you and yours!
As 2021 draws to a close, I'm happy to share that we finally had our first event since early 2020 - our three golf tournaments - and they were a big success! We are also looking forward to having the Angels Dinner, which will take place on March 10, 2022. Please visit our website to learn more about how you can purchase tickets or become a sponsor.
All things considered, the Clubs have been doing well. After the first of the year, we plan to get back to pre-Covid numbers by recruiting new members and reopening the Sebastian Club. I am confident that we will be able to achieve this in the first quarter of 2022 and begin serving more children in our after-school programs.
On behalf of the Boys &Girls Clubs of Indian River County, we wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday! It is through your generosity and support we are able to continue to change kids’ lives.
With Gratitude,
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Elizabeth Thomason
Executive Director
Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County
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Purchase Tickets & Sponsor Opportunities
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SHARE THIS EMAIL WITH A FRIEND
Please forward this email to anyone you feel may be interested in attending or sponsoring this event.
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It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...
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The Board of Directors, Staff, and Club Members wish you and your loved ones a very happy holiday season and a prosperous and healthy year ahead!
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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 nationals.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of IRC had the Club competitions earlier this month and the winners and participants are featured below. The County competitions will be held on January 11th for Junior YOY and January 13th for YOY. Then, on January 18th we will announce the County winners LIVE on our Facebook page. We hope you will join us to congratulate our 2022 County Youth of the Year!
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We hope you enjoy this video where some of our participants expressed why they love competing in Youth of the Year and what the Boys & Girls Club means to them. (Click the picture below to play the video.)
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Congratulations to our Youth of the Year
Participants & Club Winners!
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⭐Chad, 12th Grade
WINNER - Vero Club
Chad is 18 years old and a senior in high school. This is Chad's second year participating in the Youth of the Year competition and he loves it because it has helped him overcome his fear of public speaking. He would be thrilled to win the overall County title and see his name listed on the Club wall along with all the previous winners before him. His goal is to go to college and pursue a career in Engineering or anything to do with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
He shared that by being a BGC member, he has thrived academically, including life skills. He recommends anyone thinking about participating in Youth of the Year to just go for it!
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⭐Emmanuel, 12th Grade
WINNER - Fellsmere Club
Emmanuel is 17 years old and a senior in high school. His goal after high school is to get a degree in education or another field that helps other people. He decided to participate in the Youth of the Year competition so that he can tell others about how the Boys & Girls Club has helped him become the person he is today.
He loves being a member of BGC because he says it feels like he is part of one big family. Some of his favorite things while attending BGC are his volunteering experiences and all of the fun activities and trips.
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⭐Chad, 12th Grade
Vero Club Winner
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⭐Emmanuel, 12th Grade
Fellsmere Club Winner
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Brigida, 10th Grade
Vero Club Participant
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Congratulations to our Junior Youth of the Year
Participants & Club Winners!
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⭐Elena, 7th Grade
WINNER - Vero Club
Elena is 12 years old and in 7th grade. She has set her sights high on attending Harvard University and becoming a surgeon one day. She wants to have a profession where she can help others and save lives. She knows she has her work cut out for her and it will not be easy, but she is thankful for the Boys & Girls Club because it has helped her a great deal academically. She chose to participate in this year’s Jr. Youth of the Year competition to broaden her skill set both personally and intellectually.
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⭐Lizeth, 7th Grade
WINNER - Fellsmere Club
Lizeth is 12 years old and in 7th grade. She loves all animals and her dream is to go to college to become a vet. She was excited to partake in the Jr. Youth of the Year competition for the 2nd year in a row because she wants to show the world that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. It doesn’t matter what age you are or your background. Two things she loves most about being a Member at BGC are the friendships she has made and the support from the staff.
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⭐Elena, 7th Grade
Vero Club Winner
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Gabriella, 8th Grade
Vero Club Participant
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⭐Lizeth, 7th Grade
Fellsmere Club Winner
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Iyanna, 8th Grade
Vero Club Participant
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Ayanna, 8th Grade
Vero Club Participant
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Sandy, 8th Grade
Vero Club Participant
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Athlete of the Month
Jimmie, 3rd Grade
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Jimmie, a Member of our Vero Club, is 9 years old. Besides being active in the gym, he is a great teammate and is looking forward to the basketball season starting up! Congratulations Jimmie!
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Soccer and Dodgeball ended this month with championship games held in Fellsmere and Vero. Sign-ups are underway for the IRSA with practice and games starting in January and February. Swimming will also start up again in January for all Clubs.
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The 2021 Soccer Championship was held at the Fellsmere Club. The championship title goes to the "Manchester United" team (pictured above) who won 6-3 over the "Real Madrid" team.
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Thanks to all our amazing teens (and alumni) who donated their time and energy to Wreaths Across America. On December 18, they placed wreaths on the graves of veterans who served in the United States military. We are very proud they volunteered for this wonderful cause.
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We are so proud of our preteens for their commitment to helping others. These Members who are part of the Torch Club prepared packages for families in IRC and volunteered at United Against Poverty. Way to pay it forward!
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Once again, the Torch Club raised over $200 to donate to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital by selling raffle tickets for the chance to win a special Christmas dinner basket.
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High-five to our Torch Club Members again. They recently donated boxes of clothing as part of a Haiti relief initiative for those affected by the August earthquake.
The Torch Club is a program for members ages 11-13 that teaches leadership skills and focuses on volunteer opportunities in the community.
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Big kudos to the Keystone Club for their successful hotdog fundraiser at our Fellsmere Club! The proceeds of this fundraiser helped buy gifts for families in need at Christmas.
The Keystone Club is a BGC program that encourages teen members ages 14-18 to become leaders through civic engagement and projects.
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Fellsmere Club
TEEN OF THE MONTH
Emmanuel, 12th Grade
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November's teen of the month for our Fellsmere Club is Emmanuel! Emmanuel is a remarkable young man. In addition to being an IB scholar, a Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy member, a student government representative at SRHS, as well as being on the Student Council, he is also active in BGC and is the President of the Fellsmere Keystone Club. Emmanuel is kind, has a great sense of humor, and is liked by all. Congrats, Emmanuel! Thanks for being amazing!
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Vero Beach Club
TEEN OF THE MONTH
Zavier, 9th Grade
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November's teen of the month for our Vero Club is Zavier! Even though Zavier is a new member, he has demonstrated a capacity for leadership in his short time here at BGC. Zavier is a friendly presence in the room and very involved in athletics at the club. During last month’s volunteer trip to the Salvation Army, he helped prepare Thanksgiving meals for IRC families in need. He involves himself in all activities and was even elected Secretary of the Keystone Club. Congrats, Zavier! You are a wonderful addition to the club!
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Donor Spotlight
Bill Munn
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The Association of Fundraising Professionals of Indian River celebrated its 16th Annual National Philanthropy Day event at Quail Valley River Club on November 4, 2021. Several Honored Leaders were acknowledged for their dedication and support in our community, including one of our own, Mr. Bill Munn.
Bill began his journey with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County in 2007 when he and his wife, Judy, made their first gift to the Vero Beach Club capital campaign. With all his significant non-profit and entrepreneurial experience as a company owner, Bill was invited to join the Board of Directors in 2009. After several years of Board service, Bill was appointed Co-Chairman of the Board. Although Bill retired from the regular Board in June, he still gives selflessly of his time and talent as the Treasurer of the Foundation Board.
Under Bill Munn’s leadership, BGCIRC has built two state-of-the-art clubhouses, a gymnasium, and the only astro-turf field in the county. Thanks to Bill, the dream of expanding the clubs’ footprint and serving more children became a reality.
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Pictured above from l to r: Elizabeth Thomason, BGCIRC Executive Director and 2021 NPD Co-Chairman and Bill Munn, NPD Honored Leader
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A big thank you to the Paralegal Association of Florida - Treasure Coast Chapter, for dropping by so many cool Christmas gifts for the kids!
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Meet Ashanti!
Ashanti, former Boys & Girls Vero Club Member and 2021 County Youth of the Year winner, graduated last year from Vero Beach High School and is attending her first year of college at the University of North Florida. We asked Ashanti to share a few words about her college experience thus far, and this is what she said: "College has been fun and a big learning experience. I can honestly say the hard work and dedication I had in high school has followed me to college. I have learned countless lessons that will help me in the long run."
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Meet Kiara
Kiara, former Boys & Girls Fellsmere Club Member and 2020 County Youth of the Year winner, graduated last year from Sebastian River High School and is attending her first year of college at the University of Florida. When we asked her about her college experience thus far, she shared:
"I am having such an amazing experience at the University of Florida. I have made so many great friends with people on my floor, have met lots of new people at gator events and can connect with my roots through the Mexican American Student Association. Overall, college has been an amazing adventure with great opportunities!"
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💰 End of the Year Giving
Before year-end, consider making a tax-deductible gift of stock. Click here for instructions.
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😇ANGELS DINNER
Mark your calendar! Let's Get Reacquainted! Our signature fundraiser will be March 10, 2022 at the Boys & Girls Vero Club Gym. Proceeds support our scholarship program for the kids
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We appreciate your support!
The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens.
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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.
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