A Message from Debbie Wagner, CEO |
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Happy Fall,
As we move into the last part of this challenging year, I want to thank all of you for supporting
our BGCT young people and mission over the past seven months. We are all running so fast right now and I wanted to make sure during this sometimes crazy and uncertain time to take a moment to recognize all that we have accomplished and are doing to serve our kids and the community.
We have continued to offer full-day, distance-learning and BGCT programming at all six of our Clubhouses, as well as virtual Club On-the-Go and member outreach opportunities through the month of October.
We have been exploring many new program and community partnership opportunities to enrich our Club members' experience, including with Tu Nudito, which is offering grief counseling training for our staff, Tucson Girls Chorus, Body Works Pilates, as well as participating in a U of A juvenile obesity study. We are also beginning to develop a special TMC diabetes study through a grant we recently received to serve our Pascua Yaqui young people.
Thanks to Greg Taylor and Arizona Complete Health, we are working to partner to bring newly updated Mental Health First Aid and Trauma Informed Care training to our staff. The pandemic is impacting the lives of everyone, but we are particularly concerned about the many new mental health concerns we are seeing and hearing about from our youth, families and staff.
In addition to our youth programs and the amazing job our Club staff is doing to support remote-learning, our administrative and development teams are retooling and finishing the year out with special virtual events, funding and grant opportunities and recognizing our amazing partners, as well as beginning the planning, starting the conversations and presenting programing partnerships and funding opportunities for a successful 2021.
We obviously could not keep our Clubhouse doors open and serve the kids that need us most right now without the support of our amazing and committed board, sponsors, partners, foundations, individual donors, volunteers, and community. We truly appreciate all of you - Thank you!
Stay well everyone,
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Introducing Our Newest Board Members |
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Liby Lentz
Pima Medical Institute
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Liby Lentz is the Vice President and Corporate Human Resources Director for Pima Medical Institute (PMI). Liby has served the company for 27 years.
During her tenure, she has developed a Human Resources department responsible for the implementation of several innovative employee programs and policies, many of which have contributed significantly to the company's growth and long-term success.
Liby is an advocate for advancing opportunities for people in our community, especially those who are under represented. She looks forward to leveraging her passion to ensure our youth reach their full potential.
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Leigh Branston is the General Manager for Comcast, having been with Comcast for the past 15 years.
During his time with Comcast, he has been in many different roles - everything from financing and engineering to operations.
Leigh has also served in the military, and enjoys being part of local nonprofit organizations that serve Tucson's youth.
Leigh has served on the Board of other youth serving organizations and looks forward to sharing his experiences to enrich the Clubs' future fundraising endeavors.
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Sam Deneke
Raytheon Missels & Defense
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Sam Deneke is the Vice President, business execution for the Land Warfare & Air Defense Mission Area at Raytheon Missiles & Defense, a business of Raytheon Technologies. He brings more than 20 years of program management, engineering and operations experience specific to aerospace and defense to his current role.
Sam is a native Tucsonan and looks forward to advancing the mission of the Clubs and empowering the youth in our community.
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Fall Membership and Distance Learning - October |
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As we move into October, the Clubs will continue to serve our community Monday through Friday with extended hours of 8:00am until 6:00pm. Every Club is staffed with amazing Youth Development Professionals who are ready to support youth with virtual learning linked to their schools. After our members complete their school day, the Clubs will engage them in recreation, art and other enrichment activities focused on their development. |
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Distance Learning - A Look Inside the Clubhouse |
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Distance learning has presented many of Tucson's youth and their families with obstacles including access to reliable internet and technology, access to an available and dedicated adult who can support their children in learning, and the patience to navigate the social emotional well-being of the youth experiencing remote learning. The Clubs have been a natural and welcome solution!
Hear from two parents about their experience at the Clubs...
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The Clubs are Doing Whatever IT Takes! |
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“Boys & Girls Club of Tucson has helped my three kids during the pandemic in so many ways! They were there in April for my kids as a safe, nurturing and fun place to go when their school closed. During the summer, they continued to be open and offered day camp. When the school implemented remote learning this fall, once again the Clubs stepped up and provided a supportive environment for my kids to learn. I temporarily placed my kids back at their school which only provided a proctor and they didn't get much support or attention. I moved the kids back to the Club because the quality and attention is there for my kids. Thank You Boys & Girls Club!” - Isa's Mom |
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“I appreciate all the hard work of everyone from the Boys and Girls Clubs to help my children. They have gone above and beyond to help when others would not. My two kiddo's have required extra assistance more than others and I know that this has been even more difficult than ever anticipated in an already chaotic time. The staff has done a great job.” - Keira’s Mother |
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Gratitude and Appreciation |
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- Amy & Sean Miller
- Hughes Federal Credit Union
- Hydro Flask (Parks for All)
- Jersey Mike's
- Komatsu Mining Corp. Foundation
- Laurie & Larry Wetterschneider
- Patsy & Ron Sable
- Vance Foundation
- Walter & Juliet Absolon Foundation
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We'd also like to thank all our community sponsors who have continued their support even through the cancellation of events during the pandemic. We can't do it without everyone's support! |
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Desert Diamond Casinos & Entertainment
Nova Home Loans
Lerner & Rowe Gives Back
Sam Levitz Furniture
Ashley HomeStores
Rusing, Lopez & Lizardi
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- Taco Bell/ TacoBocci
- TMC Healthcare
- Topgolf Tucson
- Long Realty Cares Foundation
- The Hard Rock Ranch - The Garretts
- Crest Insurance
- Precision Toyota
- Southwest Gas
- Julie & Dale Butcher
- Falbaum Investment Group, RBC
- COX
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- Perfection Plastic Surgery
- California Closets
- Pima Federal Credit Union
- Debbie & Ron Welch
- Andy Courtney Properties
- Patio Pools & Spas
- La Paloma Academy
- Public Defense Services - Dean Brault
- Tucson Electric Power
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And let's not forget our community's restaurants. Please support them during this challenging time. Click below for a list of our event restaurants with links to their fine establishments. |
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Swing for the Kids Day of Play
Sunday, October 25th
Topgolf of Tucson
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Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson’s Associate Board is hosting its 3rd Annual Swing for the Kids Charity event on Sunday, October 25 at Topgolf of Tucson. Health & safety measures will be implemented during this “Day of Play” including: responsible social distancing, safely-spaced hitting bays, highest standards of cleanliness, and associate health and safety.
Swing for the Kids “Day of Play” will be a fun and safe afternoon of golfing, food, and a chance to support Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson to ensure the Clubs can provide its members with Thanksgiving Dinners and Holiday Gifts. Your support will make certain that the Thanksgiving and Holiday programs at the Clubs are fully funded, as these programs are an integral part of a Club member’s experience – oftentimes being the member’s only holiday dinner and only gift they receive this time of year.
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Many Thanks and Much Gratitude to This Year's Supporters |
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Southern Arizona Barrel Racing Association
14th Annual Charity Barrel Race to benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson
October 24th - 25th
Pima County Fair Grounds
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SABRA is excited to announce its third year partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson for its 14th Annual Charity Race! To learn more about how you can participate or make a donation, click HERE.
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Round UP at Taco Bell and Support the Clubs and Tucson’s Youth |
All funds collected through the Round Up program at locally owned and operated Taco Bell supports our local Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson and provides Live Más Scholarships which are awarded to local teens. These dollars provide grants for the Clubs focused on education and career readiness, and funds the Live Más Scholarship which supports the educational needs of future young leaders here in Tucson. Together, we are creating great futures. Be sure to visit our locally owned Taco Bell and Round UP your next purchase. |
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Millions for Tucson Charity Raffle - DEADLINE November 29th |
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SUPPORT BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF TUCSON
with your purchase of
Millions for Tucson Raffle Tickets!
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GRAND PRIZE:
Win one of THREE great prizes!
Grand Prize: New 2020 Ford F-150 Platinum
2nd Prize: Two Round-Trip, First-Class Airline Tickets to Anywhere in the World
3rd Prize: $5,000 in CASH
The Jim Click Millions for Tucson Raffle 2020 Edition is in full swing! This year Mr. Click is raffling off a 2020 Ford F-150 Platinum as the grand prize. In addition, there are two other prizes! Second prize is two first-class, round-trip airline tickets anywhere in the world (restrictions apply – please see guidelines) and the third prize is $5,000. 100% of your contribution will help Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson continue to provide more than 12,000 of Tucson’s youth and more than 4,200 Club members with proven, affordable distant learning and after-school programming that promotes healthy practices, skill building and pathways to GREAT FUTURES!
5 tickets for $100 (best value) or 1 ticket for $25.
**Last day to purchase raffle tickets is on Sunday, November 29th, 2020**
Grand Prize drawing will be held on Friday, December 11th. Winner need not be present.
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Other Ways to Support the Clubs |
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Help Tucson’s Youth and Accrue Tax Benefits |
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The CARES Act, designed to help the nation recover from the pandemic, has five important implications for charitable giving.
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New Charitable Deduction for Non-Itemizers: Taxpayers who take the standard deduction can claim a charitable deduction of up to $300 for cash donations in 2020.
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Higher Deduction Limits: Individuals will be able to deduct cash gifts in 2020 to the extent of their entire adjusted gross income (AGI) rather than a cap at 60%.
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Increased Deduction Limits for Corporations: The contribution limit for corporations has been raised to 25% for cash contributions this year.
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Required Minimum Distributions Waived: For the year 2020, there will be no mandatory distributions from retirement accounts, thus allowing those accounts to recover. Once they do recover, retirement funds are a tax-wise giving strategy.
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Waiver of Penalties When Retirement Funds Are Used for Coronavirus Purposes: If you are under the age of 59½ and withdraw money from your retirement plan to cover expenses incurred by you or a family member related to the treatment of the Coronavirus, the 10% tax penalty will not apply. In the future you may consider a retirement fund gift.
Please reach out to Jill Long, VP of Fund Development to discuss what type of gift may make sense for your situation. Jill can be reached via email at jlong@bgctucson.org or direct line 520.308.3332.
Information provided above does not substitute for the advice of your tax advisor or attorney. Please see your tax advisor or attorney for full advice on implications of the CARES Act.
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AMAZON SMILE
Shopping online with Amazon? Shopping at the world's largest marketplace is an easy way to help Tucson kids! Simply click HERE (need to give the link) start donating a portion of your Amazon purchase to Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson.
Not sure how to select Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson as your "Charity of Choice?" Click HERE.
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FRY'S COMMUNITY REWARDS
Every time you shop at your local Fry's Foods Stores you can help Tucson kids. Register your Fry's VIP card and a portion of every purchase will help Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tucson.
Click HERE to sign up and use BGCT’s organization code JS668.
Together with Fry's Foods, you can make a huge difference in a Tucson child's life.
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The Clubs' Blue Tiles Campaign is an opportunity to make an investment in our community’s youth and to leave a legacy for future generations.
The support and commitment of the entire community is needed for this project to succeed to support the transformational growth of the organization. This growth will include capital improvements at each club, scholarship funds for more youth, an increase in STEAM activities, Workforce Development Programs, and sports.
Blue tiles will hang on front of the Harold Ashton Resource Center at 3155 East Grant Road. Each tile will be engraved with your personal message or tribute. Please consider securing a lasting tribute by purchasing your own blue tile today. To learn more, click the link below or contact Jill Long at 520.730.3369 or jlong@bgctucson.org
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Census - Make Sure You're Counted |
Help ensure that everyone living in Arizona gets counted by September 30. Act now in order to help get what Arizona needs for health and well-being statewide. Visit azcensus2020.gov for more.
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Thank You To Our Partners |
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