Welcome Jason Barta - New Chief Executive Officer
The Boys & Girls Club of Benton County has new leadership! We are fortunate to have Jason Barta as our new Chief Executive Officer. Jason has been with Boys & Girls Club movement for 16 years, beginning as a site coordinator in Manhattan Kansas. He has served with Clubs in Kansas, Iowa, Oklahoma and now Arkansas.
He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Human Services from Washburn University in Topeka, KS and earned a Master's degree from Kansas State University in Adolescent/Youth Counseling. Jason's honors include being named the 2012 Executive of the Year in the Southwest Region of Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and this past May, he was the 1st recipient of the BGCA Blue Spirit award.
Jason and his wife Jaimee are proud parents to Campbell, Claire, and Jackson. He began his duties with the Club on Monday, 11/16. Please join us in welcoming Jason and his family to Northwest Arkansas and supporting him in his new role.
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The 4 facilities of the Boys & Girls Club of Benton County were all bright smiles with the 6th annual Johnson & Johnson Dental screening held this month. As part of our healthy Lifestyles program and in collaboration with Johnson & Johnson, hundreds of Club youth are screened for dental issues each year. Along with the screening, children receive education on daily care of their teeth and encouraged to pay regular visits to their dentists. With support from the Walmart Foundation, children with acute or chronic dental issues, and without a dental home, are referred to community resources for treatment. Pictured here is Creed Campbell getting instruction from one of the hygienist.
Walmart Builds Bikes for Kids
Approximately 30 associates from Walmart broke into teams to built 10 brand new Huffy Bikes. Once constructed, the group's model is to give back to the community by donating the bike to deserving kids. They chose the Boys & Girls Club as one organization to accept the bikes and put them to good use. Three 20" boys bikes and three 20" girls bikes were given to Club kids and put fresh smiles on their young faces.
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Accepting Change - Ray on the Defense
At the age of nine years, big dreams seem to fuel our imaginations and desires. Ray Fields is a young boy who, like so many others at the club, is very determined to make his peers and himself proud. He came into our new Flag Football Program with ambition of being the star quarterback. Ray was given a chance to win the position, but he fell short. His dream of scoring touchdowns seemed shattered. In late October, Ray was having doubts about staying on the team. He came to a staff member after practice with tears in his eyes asking why he wasn't making progress catching the ball. Knowing it would be hard to sell a defensive position to a child who only wanted to score touchdowns, staff convinced him to make the transition. After a few weeks of practice and defensive drills, Rays found his niche. He was hard to stop, contain, or get away from at the defensive line position. During scrimmages he is a force to be reckoned with. Any quarterback has difficulty getting the ball to a running back or receiver before he's met by Ray. Ray realized that there is great satisfaction that comes with making a stop on defense or even causing a fumble. Every practice, every play he 'gives it his all'. He is an inspiration and encouragement to his fellow teammates. We are proud to say that Ray is a standout player, teammate, and club member at the Bella Vista Unit. We are proud to have him as a part of our family and, more importantly, we know that he is happy and confident with himself and how far he has come as a player. The Flag Football Program was made possible with support fro Buffalo Wild Wings.
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Black Friday and Cyber Monday are fast approaching, but we'd like to bring to your attention #GivingTuesday- a global day dedicated to giving back. On Tuesday, December 1, people and organizations around the world are coming together to celebrate generosity.
We encourage you to join this tradition of generosity. And contributing to our mission is a great place to start.
Donate Here
During this time of giving thanks, we are thankful for the great communities in which we operate and your generous support in making great futures for our kids!
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Future Engineers
Ms. Abby, the McKinney Unit's Unit's science, technology engineering, and math (STEM) program coordinator, led the kids in a unique engineering project. The kids were tasked to make M&M catapults with using only popsicle sticks, spoons, and rubber bands. The purpose of the activity was to learn about engineering through trial and error. They had 30 minutes to design and create a catapult that could stand-up on its own and to shoot M&M's the greatest distance. The team that got their M&M's to shoot the farthest won a prize.
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Animals for a Cause
The Kid at the Carl & Alleen McKinney Unit went out of their way to collect stuffed animals for the Springdale Police Department's stuff animal drive for less fortunate children. The McKinney kids 'stepped up to the plate' and collected 350 stuffed animals for the cause! The police officers came to the Club to pick-up the animals and ended up hanging around and interacting with the kids for the remainder of the day.
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The Bella vista Unit held its 2015 Fall Festival. The kids played a variety of games, enjoyed the company of their friends, had treats, and generally had a good time.
It takes a Community
150 Boys & Girls Club families received Thanksgiving meals thanks to the generous support of the Ronnie Brewer Foundation, Ladies Auxiliary, Mondelez International, General Mills, Smithfield Foods & The Pack Shack. Pictured are a few of the items in their "blessings baskets".
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Can You Help a Youth Reach Their Full Potential?
Caring Adults are needed to be trusted guides to middle school age youth. If you can commit 1 -hour per week to be a mentor to a youth who needs you, inquire
HERE.
Not interested in being a mentor? You can see other volunteer opportunities
HERE
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 When: January 3oth, beginning at 12:30 PM
Where:
Avondale Chapel, 2005 E Central Ave, Bentonville
Registration Fee: $90 in advance $100 at door
(all fees are considered a donation)
Lunch Provided
Register HERE
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Josh Johnson and Adam Chittum. the Bella Vista Unit's Director and Assistant Director, were invited to participate in this year's Sam M. Walton College of Business Experiential Week. They were "on-call" resource to answer MBA students' questions and provide information, as the students focused on the issues our community faces. The pair also served as judges for the final presentations of the students. Event coordinator Meredith McKee Adkins told Josh and Adam "We, and the students, really value your participation, as you came at the issue as a key stakeholder, and it was so critical for us to paint the bigger picture."
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Boys & Girls Club of Benton County is a
Agency
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DEVELOPING HEALTHY CHILDREN
WHO ARE SUCCESSFUL IN SCHOOL &
MAKE POSITIVE LIFE CHOICES
Stay Connected
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October '15 Youth of the Month
Lilliana France - McKinney
Kody Bolin - Bella Vista
Cash Arnhart - Rogers
Joshua Chester - HLM Teen Center
Walmart
is a Sustaining Supporter of
Boys & Girls Club of Benton County
Mondelez Team Gives Back
The Mondelez International team spent an hour packing baskets with food for our families. We have many opportunities for team building at Boys & Girls Club of Benton County.
Contact us to learn more about what your corporate team can do to make a difference in our community.
Anyone Hungry for a good Cause?
The Rogers Unit staff members organized a fundraiser with a pie to the face competition. Staff members took a pie to the face to benefit a local family in need. The group raised a total of $135 to provide the family with relief! Last year's Junior Youth of the Year, Yolanda Larios took 3rd place for most pies in the face while Bryan Collom, a Youth Development Coordinator got 2nd place. Unit Director, Cindy Menjivar, took top pie to the face honors with 1st place.
2nd Grade football All-Stars Play Ft. Smith
On November 14th The Boys & Girls Club of Benton County Athletic Program 2nd Grade All-Stars play against the Ft. Smith team.
Have Something Laying Around You Don't Need?
Maybe we can put it to use. Check out the list of needs for the Clubs and our families
HERE.
We wish to extend our gratitude for the hundreds of volunteers who have given thousands of hours towards making the Club a better place for our kids!
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