Thanks for making April awesome for our kids!
This Month in a Minute...

  • April by the Numbers
  • Athletics Update: Club Members Meet an NCAA Champion
  • Bridge Tournament Attracts Sold-Out Crowd
  • Vero Beach Easter Parade Benefits Boys & Girls Clubs
  • Destinations Update: Maleah Competes in State Youth of the Year Competition
  • Children Graduate from Society of Angels Etiquette Program
  • The Kids Go Fishing with Vero Beach Power Squadron
By the Numbers

We can't believe April is over already! Time flies when your having as much fun as our Club members. This month, they started new programs, finished up the soccer season, went on field trips, and more!
Here is a snapshot of the impact you had on our Club members:

  • 60 Club members completed mental health enrichment activities.

  • 13 kids learned how to play guitar and piano in our Jake Owen Players Music program.

  • 70 teens participated in Lyricism 101, a Boys & Girls Clubs of America helping them express their positive visions through the culture of hip-hop.

  • 80 Club members participated in our swimming league, made possible by our partnership with Float Hope!
NCAA Champion Inspires Kids
at First Annual Athletics Award Show
More than 150 parents and family members packed the gymnasium at the Vero Beach Club for our first annual Athletics Awards Show on April 25th.

 “We have enhanced our Athletics program tremendously over the past year,” said Athletics Director Jordan Adams. “We had 252 Club members participate in eight different sports, including soccer, flag football, track and field, basketball, swimming, golf, rowing, and tennis,” he said. “Most of these sports overlap, which leaves little to no time for recognition and celebration. That is what we want to do this evening.”
Children received recognition for outstanding sportsmanship, team spirit and athletic achievement.
Our guest speaker was none other than Chloe Jackson, NCAA Champion and WNBA player for the Chicago Sky. After the kids received trophies and medals for their accomplishments, Jackson took the stage.

“I was sitting in your chair at one point in time,” she told the kids. “Even though it may not always seem like it, anything is possible for you. Just keep working hard and you can get there.”
Jackson started playing soccer when she was 6 years old. She said the sport was her “first love,” helping her become the basketball player she is today. She grew up attending the Boys & Girls Club in Oxon Hill, Maryland, and recalled how the Club helped introduce her to values such as teamwork and leadership.

Jackson recently was named Most Outstanding Player of the Women’s Final Four Basketball Tournament. In the final game against Notre Dame, she scored a season-high 26 points with five assists, propelling the Baylor Lady Bears to their first championship since 2012. Days later, Jackson was selected by the Chicago Sky in the 15th round of the WNBA draft.

“I can now say that I am a national champion, which has been my dream since I was a little kid,” Jackson said.

After her speech, Jackson met with the Boys & Girls Club members and signed autographs.
“It was really inspiring to meet a WNBA player!” said Chloe, age 9. “I like that she expressed herself and told us to keep on trying, no matter what.”
Chloe Jackson and Jordan Adams with a few of our accomplished young athletes
The kids brought certificates, shoes, and even ping pong balls for Jackson to sign!
Club members Reuben and Williona receive awards for outstanding athletic achievement!



Calling All Alumni!

Are you a Boys & Girls Club Alumni like WNBA player Chloe Jackson? If so, join our Alumni Program by contacting Phil Barnes at 772-299-7449 or philbarnes@bgcirc.org .

For more information, click here !

Seventh Annual Bridge Tournament Supports Club Members

With nearly half of our Club members being raised by a single-parent and 80% coming from low-income families, one might say the cards are stacked against them. However, funds raised from our Seventh Annual Bridge Tournament will help ensure that our kids have access to proven, Boys & Girls Club programs that will help them achieve great futures.

This year's tournament was our most successful to date, raising nearly $40,000 for our Clubs and our kids! A sold-out crowd of 100 guests arrived at Orchid Island Golf and Beach Club on the morning of April 5th. They enjoyed a continental breakfast and perused raffle prizes donated by local businesses. Then they headed into the main dining room to play an intense round of duplicate and party bridge. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop! Once the game ended, guests met with the children from our Sebastian Boys & Girls Club. A raffle and awards ceremony capped off an incredible event.
2019 Bridge Committee: Mary Grimm McClellan, Sheila Connors, Linda Ferrari, Chris Talbot, Linda Lemmon, and Ginny Powers
We would like to thank our Bridge Sponsors:

Presenting Sponsors: John and Sheila Connors
Spade Sponsor: Nancy Paul
Heart Sponsor: Jan McCoy
Club Sponsor: Debbie Brower
Club Sponsor: Connie McGlynn
Also, we would like to thank all the wonderful local businesses that supported the tournament this year!
Anthony's, Autobahn, Bee & Flower, Belle Cose, Bottle Shop, Cashmere Beach, Chealsea's, Coastal Comfort, Consider the Cook, Elegance by the Sea, Flowers for You, Hanlon's, India Hicks (Leigh Barbour), J. McLaughlin, Kountry Kitchen, Lemon Tree, Maison Beach, Park Place Salon, Polished, Polo Grill, Sara Campbell, Seabags, Sequin, Studio Gabriel, Toyota & Kia of Vero Beach, VB Home, and Village Beach Market
The Club members enjoyed interacting with guests and took in some impressive ocean views at the Orchid Island Golf and Beach Club!
Mary Rita Sheehan, Elizabeth Thomason (BGCIRC Executive Director), and Lynn Wiksten
Dale Sorensen Real Estate Easter Parade
Supports Boys & Girls Clubs

Ocean Drive was the place to be on April 18th. Hundreds lined the streets for the Third Annual Easter Parade, hosted by Dale Sorensen Real Estate. The event featured a bonnets and baseball caps competition, a golf cart parade, and an Easter egg hunt with 25,000 eggs!

The Boys & Girls Clubs was once again selected to be the beneficiary of this wonderful event. Proceeds will help us continue providing a safe, positive place for 1,200 kids in our community.
This year, Sebastian Club members decorated two golf carts for the parade with Art Director, Mr. Will! BGCIRC Board Chairman, Bill Munn, graciously offered his driveway as a space for the kids to decorate.
It was GREAT to be in the parade lineup this year alongside so many local businesses, government representatives, and individuals.
We hope you and your family had a very "hoppy" Easter!
Destinations: Youth of the Year Maleah Heads to Destin
for State Youth of the Year Competition
Teen members Maleah of Vero Beach and Olivia of Sebastian both had the opportunity to attend the Florida Youth of the Year competition in mid-April where they participated in a number of team-building and networking activities with teens from across the state.
Maleah represented the Boys & Girls Club of Indian River County as our Youth of the Year candidate. She interviewed with a panel of judges and delivered her speech about how she wants to impact the youth of America. In this role, she competed with other candidates for the Florida Youth of the Year spot, which ultimately went to Leonela Tase Sueiro, a teen from the Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota County. Despite not winning at the state level, Maleah has stated that she learned from the experience and wants to come back next year better prepared to represent our organization.
During the competition, Olivia was able to tour the Eglin Air Force Base, where she learned about the history of the base and made friends with other teens.
In the afternoon, both Olivia and Maleah participated in a beach clean up with their peers. Then they joined teens at an adventure park where they built friendships that carried into the evening glow party!
The Youth of the Year competition is hosted each year at the local, state, regional, and national level. All participants have the opportunity to earn scholarships for college and implement programming geared toward helping youth across America. Information regarding next year’s competition will be available beginning in September.
Ms. Laura (Career Counselor), Olivia, Maleah, and Queila (Teen Director)
Children Graduate from Society of Angels Etiquette Program
On April 18th, our Society of Angels volunteers hosted a graduation ceremony to recognize children who completed our Etiquette program this year. The kids received certificates and enjoyed a delicious meal of pizza, fruit, and ice cream.

We would like to honor our Society of Angels Etiquette instructors for teaching our children to keep their elbows off the table, refrain from burping, and always demonstrate good manners and respect!

Thank you to: Don Kittell, Betsy Swanhaus-Kittell, Karol Lynch, Jan McCoy, Sheila Mills, Trudie Rainone, Kathy Royal, Sandy Smith, Cathy Sommers, Kathy Strickland, Carole Taylor, and Betty Ziegler.
The instructors quizzed the kids on how to set the table properly. It took a few tries but the kids eventually figured it out!
The children all waited until everyone was served before they started eating. They did this without anyone having to tell them!
The Etiquette instructors congratulate Club member Celene on a job well done!
A Whale of a Tale: Club Members Go on Fishing Trip
Hello! I'm Victor and I am a Boys & Girls Club member in Vero Beach. Let me tell you about my weekend on the Indian River Lagoon with my friends!
We got up super early in the morning, and the staff drove us down to Riverside Park. As soon as we walked into the Vero Beach Power Squadron building, Dr. Carlin and his helpers gave us life jackets and cool glasses to keep the sun out of our eyes while on the lagoon!
Next, we learned all about boat safety. I was so excited about fishing, and had a hard time paying attention. But I still learned a lot! If a boat beeps five times, it means danger. Also, the red light on the boat shows the port or left side, and the green light means the starboard or right side. Pretty neat, right?
Here is the really fun part! All the captains took us out on the Indian River Lagoon in their boats. We saw dolphins, stingrays, and birds. I caught a fish and my friends did too!
We headed back to land for hot dogs and hamburgers. I got a t-shirt and some of my friends won fishing poles for catching fish! Thank you to the Vero Beach Power Squadron and Dick's Sporting Goods for this experience. I can't wait to go next year!
See What's Up at the Clubs!
Vero Beach

Did you know that 1 in 5 teens experiences a severe mental disorder during their life? Vero Beach Club member Ashanti led a discussion on addressing mental health concerns among our teens on April 10th.

They talked about how to address bullying, stress and other issues in their young lives. “If you change your perspective and stop judging a book by its cover, you can achieve anything,” Ashanti told her peers. 
Fellsmere

The Fellsmere Club celebrated Easter on April 18th, and there was no shortage of cupcakes! In addition to providing sweet treats, the staff organized an Easter egg hunt for the younger kids.

“We made sure the kids had a fun day, and all of them went into Easter weekend with smiles on their faces,” said Fellsmere Club Director Ms. Keisha. 



Sebastian

The Sebastian Club held a door decorating contest to celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd. Six different age groups each decorated a door and presented in front of a panel of judges.

The winners were our Kindergarten and first grade age group. “It’s important to save the planet and recycle so that all the animals can be safe,” said Dakota, age 7.

See How You Can Help
Donate

Join the Chairman's Circle, a new group specially recognizing donors who invest a cumulative $5,000 or more in the Clubs each year. 

Join the President's Circle, our group of donors who invest a cumulative $1,000 or more in the Clubs each year.

Become a Business Booster or Partner, and showcase your business while helping the kids. Donation levels start at an affordable $100.

Provide a scholarship for a child in need to attend our after-school or summer program. No child is turned away for an inability to pay.

Donate supplies. 
Attend

Participate in our special events! 

Save the Date: 

November 4th - Pro Am Golf Tournament

November 11th - Amateur and Nine-Hole Golf Tournament

January 14th - Chairman's Circle Reception

March 2nd - 19th Annual Angels Dinner

Stay tuned for the date of our Annual Bridge Tournament!
Volunteer

We are always seeking tutors, mentors, reading coaches, and caring adults to spend time in one of our three Clubs.

Need more information? 
Email or call Phil at 
772-299-7449.

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.