Volume 05 | January 7, 2019
JANUARY 2019 NEWSLETTER
NEWS & NOTES
Vikings Mania at the Boys & Girls Clubs

December was full of excitement, thanks in part to the Minnesota Vikings! Here are a few highlights:

On December 4, CJ Ham, Xavier Rhodes, Laquon Treadwell, and Danielle Hunter paid a visit to the Al Lenzmeier West Side Boys & Girls Club. They signed autographs, played football in the gym, and even spent time in the music studio singing Frozen karaoke. But most importantly, they unveiled that they would be supporting the Clubs as part of the My Cause My Cleats initiative.

When 35 Club members attended a recording of Vikings Live later that week, 9-year-old Judah was in for a special surprise: two tickets to Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta, Georgia! Watch Judah receive his Super Bowl Surprise here.

The fun continued on December 18, when Xavier Rhodes went on a shopping spree at Mall of America and surprised the Clubs with a holiday gift: a truckload of video games and equipment, which will be distributed among our Club locations. While Rhodes was busy delivering presents to the Clubs, Dalvin Cook was in the kitchen at Hy-Vee helping some of our members create delicious and nutritious treats!
Holiday Sale Teaches Youth to Give Back

On December 21, we celebrated our annual Kids Can Give Holiday Sale. In return for a small donation, Club members were able to "shop" for gifts for their loved ones. This event is more than just a fun way to celebrate the holidays; it is a way to teach our youth the importance of giving back, as all donations go toward the Clubs.

Thank you to all who made Kids Can Give possible by donating gifts and volunteering as gift wrappers and personal shoppers!
Black Student Union Promotes Unity at Patrick Henry High School

Patrick Henry High School's Black Student Union is committed to promoting unity throughout the African American community and among all students at Patrick Henry. Club members involved in BSU have been busy this year planning a variety of events for the school. 

Most recently, BSU facilitated a discussion focused on healthy relationships. They also created, planned, and implemented a Positive Club Climate, committed to improving the Club climate by providing a space to better understand the diverse opinions of their peers.
St. Paul Club Members Compete in Junior Basketball League

On November 28, the St. Paul Boys & Girls Clubs Junior Basketball League held their first regular season game of 2018-2019. The co-ed league is comprised of members ages 9-12 from our Mt. Airy, East Side, and Al Lenzmeier West Side Clubs and plays every Wednesday evening. The regular season runs through January 16, followed by an end-of-season tournament the weeks of January 30 and February 6.

"This league is intended to give the kids an opportunity to play competitive basketball in a fun and friendly environment," said Rudy Lugo, athletic director at the Al Lenzmeier West Side Club. "It will help the members develop not only their on-the-court skills, but will also help them become good citizens by developing the important skill of sportsmanship."
There's Still Time to Skate the Star!

Earlier this winter, we announced a new partnership with Mall of America: SKATE THE STAR – a custom-built ice rink located at the North entrance of MOA. The 12,000 square-foot ice rink opened to the public on Saturday, December 8 and will be open through January 27. Admission is free, and skate rentals are available for $5 with 100 percent of skate rental proceeds going directly to the Boys & Girls Club of the Twin Cities. 

UPCOMING EVENTS
Mark Your Calendars: Spring Thaw 2019

Even though we have had a mild winter so far, we can't help but look forward to spring. Our 7th annual Spring Thaw Gala will be held on March 9, 2019 at Aria Event Center in Minneapolis. The evening will include a variety of appetizing food stations, hosted wine and Fulton beer, live music, a photo booth, and exciting auctions.

You Can Change a Child's Life
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With your support, we can continue to provide life-changing academic, leadership, and healthy lifestyles programming to youth across the Twin Cities.
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities | 651-726-2582 | info@bgc-tc.org | boysandgirls.org