Middle school student David* has been a Club member for over seven years. Now 13 years old, David - along with his three siblings - has made the Jerry Gamble Club a positive and important part of his everyday life. David loves the Club culture and is always willing to get involved in Club activities. He is a football and baseball enthusiast, and he often heads to the gymnasium to play sports and other games as soon as he finishes his homework.
David is very focused on his education, and although he’s had a tough time with some of the COVID-19 restrictions, he has adjusted well to his distance learning and is working hard to excel in his course work. Even though he misses his classmates and playing sports at school, he says that being careful and staying safe is the right thing to do during these challenging times.
Coach John Bryant, program coordinator and longtime athletics director at the Jerry Gamble Club, praises David’s growth and character development over the years. “David is determined and caring; he’s a passionate young man, smart and resilient,” says Coach Bryant. “He challenges himself to become a better person and make good decisions because he has to be a role model for his younger siblings. What a great young man – I'm looking for great things in the future from him!”
*Name changed for privacy.
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Please consider making a gift NOW to help us continue providing valuable support to youth like David.
This holiday season, BGCTC invites you to Give in Gratitude, empowering young people to achieve bright futures in 2021. Al & Kathy Lenzmeier believe so strongly in BGCTC's impact to meet the needs of our youth and families that they are generously offering a $50,000 dollar-for-dollar match on contributions through through January 31! Your donation is especially critical to help our families experience a safe, joyful holiday season and start to the new year.
Thank you for your continued support of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities. Happy Holidays!
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Join us for BGCTC's Premier Holiday Auction - a perfect way to spread more joy this season to your loved ones and your community!
Finish your Holiday shopping by bidding on exclusive items such as a Polaris ATV, a Clam Outdoors ice fishing package, incredible memorabilia packages from the Vikings, Timberwolves, and Twins - and so much more! Proceeds support the mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities and our important work to meet the increased needs of young people and their families during these difficult times.
This event will run online until 11:59pm on Wednesday, December 23 and features an array of packages that are sure to appeal to everyone. Check out the Premier Holiday Auction and support Great Futures for the young people we serve!
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Kids Can Give!
There's still time left to make a contribution to our Kids Can Give holiday gift drive! Even though Kids Can Give looks different this year, we are still working hard to bring holiday cheer to our kids and families.
This week, Club staff members will assemble hundreds of wonderful gift packages and coordinate safe, social-distanced deliveries to our Club families. You can take part in bringing this joy to our kids by making a donation to help us cover supplies, deliveries, and other associated costs!
Given the challenges our community and nation have faced this year with the impact of COVID-19, BGCTC is especially dedicated to ensuring a joyful holiday experience for each one of our Club kids and families. Please consider donating to Kids Can Give to help a child fulfill their holiday wish!
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Marquitta Frost
Director of Human Resources & Organizational Safety
BGCTC is thrilled to welcome Marquitta Frost, our new Director of Human Resources & Organizational Safety!
Marquitta has spent her career working as a leader in the areas of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) and Human Resources with specialization in organizational safety. She began her career as a human resources generalist in the government sector, and she has also worked in the arenas of higher education and federal government as well as previous nonprofit experience.
Throughout her career in human resources, Marquitta has provided expertise in the areas of recruiting, performance management, coaching, consulting, training and facilitation. She graduated summa cum laude with a Master of Science Degree in Leadership and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Resources Management.
Several of Marquitta’s community activities include volunteering for the Atlanta chapter of Dress for Success, serving on the human resources committee of the Charlotte affiliate of Habitat for Humanity, and as a board member and officer for the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity affiliate. Her most memorable experiences include working with high school youth and young adults in developing career skills for employment and post-secondary education through Achieve Minneapolis.
Marquitta loves the opportunity to engage with and coach others to help themselves discover their skills, strengths, abilities, and natural gifts. As a home-grown Twin Cities resident, she's looking forward to bringing her wide range of talents and expertise to the BGCTC team, and we're so excited to welcome her to the family!
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Cooking With The Clubs
Coming Soon!
We are very excited to announce that a new ((virtual)) event, Cooking with the Clubs, is premiering in February 2021—an exciting event you will not want to miss! This fundraising event is hosted by our Associate Board, a group of young professionals dedicated to helping the Boys & Girls Clubs expand our supporter base through volunteerism, networking and fundraising.
Cooking with the Clubs will feature popular local chefs, mixologists, and sommeliers. Attendees will choose from a selection of cocktail, wine pairing, and meal options then will receive a video and ingredient list to prepare the meals and beverages at home. The event will also have one live ((virtual)) program featuring an appetizer cooking class and inspiring entertainment from Club teens!
More information on this event will be available soon. Stay tuned!
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Support BGCTC with a Year-End Gift |
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Earlier this year, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act expanded charitable giving incentives to allow taxpayers who take the standard deduction to make up to $300 of charitable contributions to qualified charities this year. For those who do itemize their deductions, the new law allows for cash contributions to qualified charities, like Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities, to be deducted up to 100% of your adjusted gross income for the 2020 calendar year.
Please consider making a year-end gift to BGCTC to help us support our youth and families into 2021 and beyond. Your contribution makes a big difference to us!
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Cub Foods, Coca-Cola, & Old Dutch
Earlier this fall, every Coca-Cola or Old Dutch product sold at Cub Foods resulted in a $1 donation to our Clubs, up to a total of $15,000. We're very excited to report that the full $15,000 amount was raised and will support BGCTC’s work to ensure bright futures for the young people we serve.
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Minnesota Vikings
Three Vikings players -- Kirk Cousins, Jeff Gladney, and Danielle Hunter -- supported the Boys & Girls Clubs for My Cause My Cleats on their December 6th game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Following the game, each player has the option to donate their cleats for auction, with proceeds from each sale benefiting their chosen charity.
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While social distancing measures are currently limiting the types of volunteer opportunities available at our Clubs, please consider supporting BGCTC in the following ways:
- Donate non-perishable food items, hygiene and cleaning supplies, school supplies, games, and activities for Club kids and families
- Sew or donate masks for Club staff
- Promote our organization on social media to build awareness
- Share employment resources for families
- Write encouraging notes to our kids or Club staff
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Make a monetary donation online, by mail, or by texting OURKIDS to 243725
To make an in-kind donation of any of the items listed above within the coming weeks and months, please contact Molly Hemes at [email protected] to arrange a drop-off time at one of our Clubs.
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Share Your Club Story
Do you have a story to tell about our Clubs? We'd love to hear about your experiences as a member, alumni, volunteer, or partner. Your story could even be featured in an upcoming newsletter or social media spotlight!
We appreciate opportunities to share the stories of our BGCTC family. Please send your stories to [email protected], and we will reach out to you soon. Thank you!
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You Can Change a Child's Life
With your support, we can continue to provide life-changing academic, leadership, and healthy lifestyles programming to youth across the Twin Cities.
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Thank You to our Corporate Partners! |
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