You Are Building Great Futures for Our Kids!

Because of Your Support... 400 Club members benefited from after-school programs every day. BGC of Indian River County received top honors from Charity Navigator. Four teens will be attending career camps this summer. Keegan got his first job! We broke ground on the new Boys & Girls Club in Fellsmere. Treyvon is developing his social skills and becoming a better reader. Camp Angel Acres provides scholarships for children in need.

March by the Numbers This past month was packed full of exciting activities and adventures. The kids raised trophies over their heads during basketball championships, fished off the docks at Riverview Park in Sebastian, toured Valencia college in Orlando, and even found time to finish their homework.

Here is a snapshot of the impact you had on our Club members: You helped us serve more than 400 kids every day! Our membership is growing. We enrolled 60 new members in our Vero Beach Club and 20 new members at our Sebastian Club. 40 Club members competed in the Junior Blue Water Open fishing tournament on March 30th. 132 Club members played in our basketball league this season, our highest number yet. 114 children are in our soccer league!

Boys & Girls Clubs Receives Highest Rating from Charity Navigator

For the sixth consecutive year, Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County received a 4-star evaluation from Charity Navigator! "Attaining a 4-star rating verifies that Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in your area of work," Michael Thatcher, President and CEO of Charity Navigator wrote in a congratulatory letter to the Boys & Girls Clubs. "Only 11% of the charities we evaluate have received at least 5 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County outperforms most other charities in America."

Destinations Update: Putting Teens on the Path to College and Careers As Destinations launches into its first full summer with a career counselor, we are piloting a few programs for our teens. Below are opportunities the teens are participating in:

Kiara is a tenth grader at the Fellsmere Club. She will be attending the Foundation for Teaching Economics seminar called “Economics for Leaders” at UCLA over the summer. The week-long program is sponsored by Bill and Carolyn Stutt! Kiara will learn the basics of economics and participate in leadership development activities.

Freshman Chad at the Vero Beach Club has been offered the opportunity to apply to a week-long engineering camp at the Florida Institute of Technology. This residential camp will give him the opportunity to live on campus and learn introductory concepts of various areas of engineering. Chad said that he feels blessed to have the chance to explore one of his passions.

Ashanti is pursuing an internship with Indian River Medical Center. Through the volunteer program there, Ashanti will participate in hands-on experiences in the medical field. She will also work with our career counselor for individual preparation.

Keegan Gets His First Job! Keegan, age 16, never thought of becoming an electrician. But he was turned on to the idea after hearing our guest speaker Kathryn Casano, Executive Officer at Casano Electric. Keegan then decided to apply for a job there, and we are thrilled to report that he was hired! He will continue to work at Casano Electric over the summer. Keegan plans to pursue a master electrician rank, and he said that he is already saving up to buy a home in Vero Beach. Career Counselor, Ms. Laura is meeting with Keegan to make sure he maintains his streak of success!

Olivia to Explore the Tech Field Sebastian Club member Olivia loves technology. She has been invited to participate in a week-long academic computer science camp at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne. During this camp Olivia will learn the basics of computer science programming with other teens and experience learning on a basic college level.

Our teens are on the move! In March, they toured Florida Gulf Coast University and Valencia College.

A panel of guest speakers from Nike, Publix and the Environmental Learning Center spoke to our teens about what it takes to work for them!

The Teen Talk program at the Boys & Girls Club in Vero Beach was a huge success this year!

Boys & Girls Club Groundbreaking  Unearths New Opportunity for Children On March 25th, we gathered in Fellsmere to break ground on the new Clubhouse for the kids! Completion is slated for late 2019 or early 2020. The building was designed by Edlund, Dritenbas, Binkley Architects and Associates, P.A. and is being built by Proctor Construction.

Board Co-Chairman Bill Munn started things off with a speech, recalling how one year ago, husband and wife Larry and Karen Mulder wanted something better for the children in Fellsmere. “We thank the Mulders for kick-starting this project with their dream and a generous contribution,” he said. “We feel that this new building will give us a safer environment for our kids. But it will also give us room to grow.”

Larry and Karen Mulder

Other speakers included Fellsmere Mayor Joel Tyson and Chief Executive Officer of the Indian River Community Foundation Jeff Pickering who presented the Boys & Girls Clubs with a $50,000 grant for the capital campaign. This grant put us even closer to our $2 million goal.

The children took turns speaking to the crowd about what excites them most about the new Club. Their responses ranged from having more space to do fun and educational activities to having a dedicated room just for teens.

Then it was time for the groundbreaking ceremony! Our kids put on hard hats and carried golden shovels over to the dusty patch of land next to the historic 1916 schoolhouse. There – joined by board members, city representatives and other stakeholders – they dug the first holes of what will soon be a state-of-the-art learning center for youth in the community.

“I thought the best thing to happen in Fellsmere in 50 years was getting the Dollar General out here,” Mayor Tyson joked. “But this outscores Dollar General. We are looking forward to [the Boys & Girls Club] being built. It is truly a great day for Fellsmere.” If you would like to invest in the children of Fellsmere by supporting the Capital Campaign, please contact Executive Director Elizabeth Thomason at 772-299-7449 or ethomason@bgcirc.org .

Club Member Spotlight: Treyvon Treyvon has turned over a new leaf since joining our Society of Angels Book Club! "He is much more confident," said Ms. Pamela, our Club Membership Coordinator. "Before he wouldn't say much to staff or the other members but now, he is the one starting the conversations," she said. Treyvon has already finished two books since joining our Book Club earlier this year. He plans to continue reading over the summer!

Give a Child the Gift of Summer Camp! Our Club members have a lot to look forward to this summer! They will be playing sports, sailing, doing science projects, reading new books, volunteering in their community, and much, much more. So far, generous supporters like you have provided 318 summer program scholarships! Our goal this year is to provide 370 scholarships, and we need your help. If you haven't done so already, we ask that you please consider investing in a child this summer. For $350, you can send a child to Summer Camp at the Boys & Girls Club. Please click here to make our Club members' dreams come true this summer. You can also contact Phil Barnes, Director of Resource Development, at 772-299-7449 or philbarnes@bgcirc.org .

Angels Dinner Will Help Make Club Members "Happy Campers" This Summer

More than 300 summer camp scholarships will be provided to Club members, thanks to funds raised during the 18th Annual Angels Dinner held on March 6th!

The theme of the event this year was “Camp Angel Acres.” Corporate Air Aviation Hangar was transformed into a massive campground, where nearly 400 guests enjoyed glowing campfire centerpieces, casual attire, s’mores, an RV, and a canoe. When Caralee Reid, a student at Indian River Charter High School, started playing Reveille on stage, everyone knew it was time to take their seats. The kids performed several camp songs, including Boys & Girls Club renditions of “Camp Granada” and “This Land is Your Land.” Everyone joined in for the closing ceremony, singing “Kumbaya” and “God Bless America.” The night ended with “Taps,” played by Alexi and Marlon, two Fellsmere Club members.

“Thank you to everyone who supported the Angels Dinner this year,” said Elizabeth Thomason, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County. “Camp Angel Acres was a huge success – we are going to be able to provide proven programs and life-changing opportunities to hundreds of children in need this summer."

Thank you to all the generous sponsors of our 18th Annual Angels Dinner: Presenting Sponsor: John’s Island Real Estate Fabulous Angel Sponsor: Veranda Cocktail Sponsor: Tocqueville Asset Management Chariot Sponsor: Coggin Automotive Group Angel Sponsors: Bill and Kate Antle, Bill and Mary Ann Becker, Eric and Marianne Billings. Raymond and Jeannette Brophy, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Burgoon, Janet and Tom Caputo, Jim and Sandy Johnson, Trudie Rainone, Warren and Virginia Schwerin, Marlynn and Bill Scully, Dick and Nancy Shoemate, Don and Jean Shropshire, Dan and Mary Jane Somers, Charles and Bonnie Tisi, Susie Hunter and Doug Watson, Pat and Carol Welsh, Ken Wessel

Cherub Sponsors: Dick and Maryanne Davis, Dick and Marcy DeWolfe, Dyer Automotive Group, Liz and Tommy Farnsworth, George E. Warren Corporation, Bruce and Sandy Hammonds, Barb and Sherm Hotchkiss, Martha and Don Keller, Roger and Nancy Lynch, David and Wilson McKane, Nelson Morgan Wealth Management, Susan and Bob Morrison, Bill and Judy Munn, Jenny Pettinga

Guardian Sponsors: Bradley and Francesca Anderson, Herb and Vicki Aspbury, Carol Atkinson, Cynthia and David Bardes, Mrs. Herman F. Becker, Campione, Campione & Leonard, P.A., Richard Canty and Hope Woodhouse, Jonathan and Priscilla Clark, John and Jeanette Corbett, Carole and Phil Coviello, Carol and Peter Coxhead, Chip and Kathy Cruice, Ned and Sherry Ann Dayton, Glenn and Virginia DeSimone, Martinna and Charlie Dill, Disney's Vero Beach Resort, Steve and Edie Dubord Jack and Glenda Floyd, Andrew and Betsy Forrester, Lou and Sandy Generali Tom Graul and Lynn Dudgeon, Bill and Anne Grealis, Griff and Mary Grimm McClellan John and Kathryn Hamill, Paul and Susan Hanson, Maureen and John Hendricks The Hill Group, Barbara and Al Horton, Mrs. R.B. Jennings, Jr., Doug and Kathy Johnston Paul and Michelle Julian, Pat and Regina Keeley, Brenda and Bruce Kelsey Lou and Judy LaFage, George and Madeline Long, Vero Insurance/Pure Insurance Jan and Rick McCoy, Ralph and Mary Ann McCrea. Bob and Susan McLean, Sandy and Mike McManus Bernie and Rita Murphy, Jean and Raymond Oglethorpe, Rod and Julie Parker, Michael and Kathie Pierce, PNC Bank, Katherine and Toms B. Royal, Dan and Bonnie Sandman, Van Schreiber Sassy and Mike Smith, John and Karla Spooner, Doug and Dhuanne Tansill, Jeff and Carol Twyman Jim and Jean Ueltschi, Steve and Anne Warhover, Tony and Sally Woodruff, Jay and Betsy Woodruff, Elizabeth T. Ziegler

Club members perform at Camp Angel Acres!

Smiling kids welcome guests. Youth of the Year Maleah gives a speech about her Club Experience.

Club members and staff were on hand to inform guests all about Boys & Girls Club programs!

Boys & Girls Clubs Co-Chairman Dan Somers is ready to enjoy dinner with his tablemates.

See What's Up at the Clubs!

Vero Beach Club members in Vero Beach were treated to wet noses and wagging tails after school! The therapy dogs and their trainers visited the Vero Beach Club during February and March. The Club members learned basic commands as well as how to approach a dog safely and how to care for a pet of their own!

Fellsmere Fellsmere Club members completed the Challenge Course at Florida Tech! Fueled by pure adrenaline, they conquered their fear of heights and walked along a tightrope suspended high off the ground. Trust and teamwork were essential to complete the course, and our kids demonstrated that they have what it takes.

Sebastian Just like you, the Club members in Sebastian are passionate about supporting local organizations doing amazing things in their community. This month, they held a cupcake sale to raise money for H.A.L.O. Rescue!

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 awesome 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 2020 Bridge Tournament date!

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.

Invest in a Child Today!

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