Gratitude Overflowing: Your Support Enriches the Lives of Local Youth

Dear Friend of the Club,

As we embrace the spirit of the season, we find ourselves reflecting on the incredible support and generosity that continues to uplift our community. At Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia, we are humbled by the outpouring of kindness that fuels our mission and impacts the lives of countless young individuals every day.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who has dedicated time, resources, and unwavering support to our cause. Your commitment has been the cornerstone of our ability to provide a safe, nurturing environment where children and teenagers can learn, grow, and thrive.

It's through your contributions, whether through volunteer work, donations, or advocacy, that we can continue fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment among the youth we serve. Your belief in our vision has created a ripple effect of positivity that resonates throughout our Clubs and beyond, shaping brighter futures for our young members.

This season of gratitude serves as a poignant reminder of the power of collective action and the boundless impact of generosity. Thank you for being an integral part of our Boys & Girls Club family. Your support is a gift that truly keeps on giving.

Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday filled with warmth, happiness, and the deep satisfaction of knowing you've made a difference.

With gratitude,

Rebekah Meadows  

Chief Executive Officer

rmeadows@bgcswva.org  

We're thrilled to announce a dynamic shift in our development team, marking a new chapter of growth for our organization. Join us in welcoming Christina Ballard as our new Chief Development Officer. With her wealth of experience and passion for our mission, Christina is set to lead us into an inspiring future. 

In tandem with this change, Emily Pinkerton has transitioned to a part-time role as our Grants and Communications Manager. We are grateful for Emily's continued contributions in this capacity. 

Additionally, we're proud to announce Marie Moore's internal transition to the role of Development Coordinator. Marie's commitment and enthusiasm make her an invaluable asset as we expand our reach and impact in the community. 

These shifts represent a strategic evolution within our team, empowering us to enhance our support for the youth we serve.  

Christina can be reached at cballard@bgcswva.org.

Please note: There was an error in Rebekah's title in the email sent about this previously. Rebekah's title remains Chief Executive Officer.

HAVE YOU LISTENED TO OUR PODCAST SERIES?

If you aren't caught up on our podcast episodes, we encourage you to listen in! Four episodes have been released and the fifth and final will drop on Tuesday, November 28!

On the podcast, we address the critical issues facing local youth and share inspiring stories of hope and resilience. Please take time to engage with us in this way. We also request your advocacy by sharing the podcast link with your network so that our stories can reach more individuals who may wish to join us in our mission of enabling youth to reach their full potential.

One commenter on our YouTube page said about the Upward Mobility + Opportunity episode, "This is the best podcast that I’ve heard this year. This had excellent topics and guests."

TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR THE CHARITY CLASSIC ON 12/2

Looking for a holiday event to add to your calendar of festivities this season? Join us for the Charity Classic, a special event at the University Club of Virginia Tech on Saturday, December 2. Proceeds benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia. Tickets are $75 per person and include admission, access to enjoy carefully curated culinary & wine or spirit pairings, live music and more!

The planning team is also still seeking items for the silent auction. If you own a business or have access to an item or experience and would be willing to donate to the auction, please reach out to Angela Moench at the University Club at angela.moench@invitedclubs.com.

SAVE THE DATE

NOVEMBER 28 IS #GIVINGTUESDAY

It’s no secret that things are pretty tough in the world right now. But your support helps kids navigate through the chaos and ensures they have the simple things they need to take on the world — like a healthy snack after school or a caring adult to say “I believe in you.” 

This #GivingTuesday, your donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia will give more local kids the moments, mentors and safe places they need to make their world a little less complicated.  Plus, stay tuned for an exciting early morning announcement!

SPECIAL NOTE: Virginia NAP tax credits are available for gifts at our Impact Society level of $1,000+. Contact Emily Pinkerton at epinkerton@bgcswva.org with interest or for more information.

SAVE THE DATE

MAY 22-23, 2024

The 25th annual Delta Dental Pro-Am for Kids will take place on Thursday, May 23, 2024 at Roanoke Country Club. The ParTEE for Kids will be hosted the evening prior. All are invited to save the date and plan to join us for this special 2-day event. Pro-Am team registration and sponsorship opportunities will be available in early January.

VINTON COMMUNITY PLAYGROUND PROJECT

Our Vinton Baptist Church Club has a new playground to enjoy thanks to the combined efforts of Vinton Baptist Church, the KABOOM! organization, and Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth. What started as an opportunity that came across the desk at Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia became a beautiful show of community support and partnership, resulting in a new playspace for Club kids and families in Vinton. We thank our partner organizations, all of our volunteers, and especially the leadership and devotion of our friends at Vinton Baptist Church for making this possible for our youth. Click the link below to read the full article published in the Vinton Messenger after the three-day build project concluded last month.

WISE INSPIRATION WALL IS DEDICATED

It was a special morning on November 9 as we dedicated a beautiful new mural created by the talented Molly Kernan at our Roanoke City site. Founding board members, past board chairs, committee members, current board members, scholarship recipients, donors, and staff gathered for a Club update and to celebrate this work of art that 1) symbolizes the philanthropic investment by Jim Barker Scholarship Founders Mike and Danielle Wise, 2) recognizes the accomplishments of our scholarship recipients, and 3) serves as inspiration for younger Club members. The lead gift for this project came from our generous friends at Delta Dental of Virginia. Learn more about the scholarship fund by clicking the link below.

USCELLULAR HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH CONTEST WINNERS CELEBRATED

In September, UScellular hosted the Hispanic Heritage Art Contest and Club members across all sites participated. Our artists created works featuring Hispanic heroes in the STEM field. The public was invited to vote and the three members with the most votes were awarded a monetary prize at a special Club celebration. UScellular also donated a very generous $32,300 for STEM education and programming.

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO JERSEY MIKE'S

Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia was a recipient of a generous $15,388 gift from Jersey's Mike's as part of their month of giving campaign. Thank you Jersey Mike's!

CLUB ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS

On 11/9, our friends at Academy Sports + Outdoors, in partnership with The Hokie Way, provided our Eastern Montgomery High School members with a shopping spree during their Christiansburg Grand Opening store celebration.

Burlington Boys & Girls Club members recently ventured beyond their classroom to embrace a thrilling nature expedition. They had the chance to gather captivating items from their natural surroundings, including leaves, twigs, and rocks. Upon bringing these nature items inside, they harnessed the power of magnifiers to scrutinize and unlock the mysteries of their collected wonders. Through this process, they were able to independently draw their own conclusions about the intricate beauty of the natural world.

On 11/14, the Blacksburg Young Professionals visited our Christiansburg site to make ornaments with our Club members. Each year, the BYPs decorate a tree at the Main Street Inn in Blacksburg and, this year, they enlisted the help of our Club kids to fill the tree with beautiful creations. Each Club member also made an ornament to take home for their tree.

As a fun fall STEM activity, the students at Rocky Mount Elementary Boys & Girls Club tapped into their inner scientist to create an exhilarating fizzy pumpkin spectacle. These fizzy pumpkins encompassed a blend of chemistry and imagination, offering a delightful mix of excitement.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE EVERY DAY

We are looking for amazing people to join our team as Youth Development Staff. If you are passionate about working with young people and changing lives, please visit the link below to learn about open positions or contact Michelle Crigger at (540) 904-7401.

If you believe our program would be a good fit for your family, please visit www.bgcswva.org/locations to find the Club in your area and contact the Unit Director to inquire about program details and availability.

Thank you to these partners who committed at the $2,500+ level of support during our 2023 Annual Corporate Partner Campaign