Happy New Year

Dear Friend of Youth,

We hope you had an amazing Holiday and that you are closing out 2012 with enthusiasm and excitement as you prepare for an exciting 2013.  The Boys & Girls Club of Garfield is thrilled in anticipation of serving  more children at greater levels with even deeper impact in 2013.  As you may know we had a great 2012.  We increased our membership and the impact we have on the children we serve even more than we ever have before.  So with a successful 2012 about to close we are very excited about the prospects of even greater success in 2013.  But, we know that we cannot do that without your help!

Since 1959 the Boys & Girls Club of Garfield has provided a safe, nurturing environment for all young people, especially those who need us most.  Today’s youth face greater challenges.  The Boys & Girls Club of Garfield has stepped up to meet these challenges.  This year the Club has received National recognition in the form of the Gold Gateway to Impact Award for our continued positive impact on the children we serve.

Without places like Boys and Girls Club, children have fewer opportunities to receive positive guidance and support.  We need your help to continue to provide this support and meet these challenges.

                      

                                          

People have a lot on their minds these days as we end a rocky 2012.  As an organization we are ensuring that we provide a safe, fun facility with wonderful adult role models.  As communities and the nation recover from the unthinkable acts of recent violence, we make sure that the children we serve are always safe.   Following the tragedy in Newtown and Hurricane Sandy, the Club became a respite for those who needed our help the most.  The Club continue to provide Holiday Fun, a Talent show, and even a place for Santa after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary and heat, hot water,  a place to sleep, showers, charging stations, hot meals, donations and more for individuals and families affected by the storm.  While the impact of Sandy and how the Nation responds to the horrible violence has not even been truly determined, one thing that is certain is that there is no better time to support our Club and provide a safe place for our kids and help change and in some cases, save, the life of a child.

As you end 2012, please consider giving generously and invest in our vital work   No investment is too small to ensure the future of our children.  After all, it is our future.   Please consider giving your year- end gift to the Boys & Girls Club of Garfield, Great Futures Start Here Annual Campaign.  You can do this by clicking on this link http://www.bgcgarfield.org/content/make-donation to our secure donation page.  Your help is so important and we are so thankful for your continued support.  Have a very Happy New Year!  If you'd like to volunteer or help out the Boys & Girls Club of Garfield or would just like to find our more about what we do please don't hesitate to contact me at pcasey@bgcgarfield.org or leaving a comment below.  

With sincere appreciation,

Paul J. Casey

Chief Executive Officer

Great Futures Start Here Annual Campaign

Dear Friend of Youth,

You have the opportunity to positively influence and impact the youth of our community by supporting the Boys & Girls Club of Garfield to ensure that Great Futures Start Here!

This past week former members of the Club Stephany and Koraima hosted our annual Wall of Champions Holiday Gala, where we recognized three fantastic Club friends.  What some don’t know about Stephany and Koraima is that they both joined the Boys & Girls Club of Garfield while they were high school students.  Through their Club involvement, these two young ladies improved their grades, became leaders in the community and are the first in their families to attend college.  Now less than one year removed from Club membership, we watch them give back to the Boys & Girls Club of Garfield.

Since 1959 the Boys & Girls Club of Garfield has provided a safe, nurturing environment for all young people, especially those who need us most.  Today’s youth face greater challenges and stresses than ever before.  The Boys & Girls Club of Garfield has stepped up to meet these challenges and is serving more children than ever before.  This year the Club has received National recognition in the form of the Gold Gateway to Impact Award for our continued positive impact on the children we serve.

Without places like Boys and Girls Club, children like Stephany & Koraima have fewer opportunities to receive positive guidance and support.  We need your help to continue to provide this support and meet these challenges.

                         Boys & Girls Club of Garfield Alumni, Koraima Hernandez & Stephany Oretega

                                          

People have a lot on their minds these days as we recover from Hurricane Sandy, reading headlines and hearing troubling news about the recovery and wondering how we are going to move forward.  One way to move forward is to focus on those organizations who were able to step up and provide services that were needed most in a time of crisis.  Following the Hurricane, the Club became a respite for those who needed our help the most.  The Club provided heat, hot water,  a place to sleep, showers, charging stations, hot meals, donations and more for individuals and families affected by the storm.  While the impact of Sandy has not even been truly felt yet and economic forecasts are uncertain, one thing that is certain is that there is no better time to support our Club and help change and in some cases, save, the life of a child.

This holiday season, please give generously and invest in our vital work   No investment is too great to ensure the future of our children.  After all, it is our future.   Please consider giving your year- end gift to the Boys & Girls Club of Garfield Great Futures Start Here Annual Campaign.  You can do this by clicking on this link http://www.bgcgarfield.org/content/make-donation to our secure donation page.  Your help is so important and we are so thankful for your continued support.

With sincere appreciation,

LouAnn Visotcky                                                            Paul J. Casey

President, Board of Trustees                                Chief Executive Officer