Fun Photo Friday: Future All-Stars

DeAngelo, Stephanie, Jasmine & George are BGCC's Future All-Stars!

With the Indians' home opener only hours away, I thought, why not celebrate the start of the baseball season by honoring our "Future" All-Stars. Whether their dream is to become an architect, pediatrician, college graduate, or a candy-maker, we want to ensure that ALL of our kids receive the tools they need to follow their dreams.

We could always use even more caring adults to help lead the way for our future community leaders. For more information about how you can give back, visit http://www.clevekids.org/index.php/support/volunteer/ or email Sherri Buehl at sbuehl@clevekids.org.

Now, let's PLAY BALL!!!

A Safe Place

Nick J. Cool, PR News Foto

Guest post by Traci Christler, Annual Fund Coordinator, 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland 

 

Growing up in the suburbs of Cleveland, I never worried very much about my safety. My family lived in a safe and quiet neighborhood with the biggest problem being an occasional barking dog. My mom was always home when I returned from school, so, for me, home was a safe place to be. 

 

Life is much different for the youth of Cleveland today. Many of our kids live in single parent households and would otherwise be alone when they got home from school if it weren't for the Boys & Girls Club. At the Club, kids are safe to do what kids do best...be kids. Club members are given a snack and hot meal while they do their homework, play games and make friends. 

 

When children arrive at the Club, they are checked in by a staff member before they can participate in any activities.  Our dedicated staff is available to not only facilitate with games and programs, but to nag about homework as well.

The safety of the Boys & Girls Club members is paramount to the staff and they keep an eye on our members to ensure everyone has a safe and fun experience.

If you are interested in taking a tour of one of our Clubs to see for yourself, please contact Kara Copeland at kcopeland@clevekids.org.

Out with the Old...

Guest Post By:

Samanth Martin, BGCC Intern

Spring has officially sprung! It is definitely noticeable in the weather, the blooming tulips and… your closet?

Spring is the sign of new life and new beginnings; the flora and fauna return and our beautiful Northeast Ohio is alive again after a treacherous winter. Along with this rebirth comes our own need for “out with the old, in with the new.” That’s right; I’m talking about spring cleaning.

It’s a process many of us go through every year; some despise it and others enjoy every minute of it. Whatever your case may be, it is undeniable that spring cleaning is not only rejuvenating, but can also be utilized to help many families and youth in our region.

We are all aware that Cleveland is a needy area. There are people without homes, children without toys, and babies without clothes. When we think of all that we really do have, we all have something to give, right?

Your favorite blouse from five years ago that you just can’t seem to part with, yet never wear? Donate it! That end table sitting in your garage that you just don’t have a use for? Donate it! How about your children’s favorite toys from years ago? Donate them! Bought a new toaster? Don’t throw the old one away—donate it!

So after all that rummaging, you found that you do indeed have some things to donate, but where do you take them? There is a great resource on the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste Management District website. It’s a list of area locations that accept various donations. Each of the donation spots take various items, ranging from clothing to cell phones to toilets! See that list at: http://cuyahogaswd.org/en-US/pass-it-on.aspx

Have any basketballs to donate? Maybe an baseball glove you son didn't want? The Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland are always accepting donations of new and lightly used recreational items. These items are greatly valued by our Club members, who may have never had a glove to play catch with or a basketball to keep them active.

Okay, you’ve searched and cleaned and can’t seem to get rid of ANYTHING? Donate a few extra dollars! The Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland are working hard to bring in 57 new donors of $57 or more in celebration of being a positive place for kids for 57 years! Can't part with $57 at this time? No problem! No amount is too big or small. Make your donation today to start reshaping the lives of Cleveland's youth!

Can’t spare ANY change? Then donate your TIME! Check out www.clevekids.org to see how you can help inspire our youth.

Whether it is shoes and purses or even just few extra minutes on the weekend, we all have too much of something. This springtime, tap into your giving side and donate what you can. There are many families out there who would appreciate things that we may take for granted every day.

What on Earth is a Twestival?

The Twestival in Cleveland is part of an international event that brings Tweeps together to meet each other face to face and support a worthy cause in the process. This year's Twestival will be held at AMP 150 on Thursday, March 24th from 5-9pm.

All proceeds from the event will benefit We Run This City, a collaborative program run by The Y of Greater Cleveland, Cleveland Department of Public Health, and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. During a 14-week program, students from CMSD schools train to run the Rite Aid Marathon, showing that they can realize their goals.

As a big believer in promoting healthy lifestyles in our Clubs, we are excited to see a program that truly challenges youth to push beyond their boundaries and reach their goals will benefit from such a fun, social engagement! I don't know that I could ever run a marathon, so I tip my hat to those kids that are in the midst of training! 

So what are you waiting for? For only $10, you can have fun meeting hundreds of others in the Twitterverse, all while supporting a good cause. @Clevekids (that's us) will be there and you should be too!

Fun Photo Friday: Taco Bell & the Club

What do Taco Bell and the Boys & Girls Clubs have in common? We all want to help teens succeed!

The local Taco Bell Franchises and the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens have been long-time supporters of Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland. The local Taco Bell stores were even named our "Corporate Partner of the Year" for their commitment to working with our youth!

And what does this car have to do with any of that? Earlier this week, we hosted several franchise owners at our Broadway Club for their annual meeting and this car ended up parked in our parking lot! How fun would it be to drive around town in this?  

No Place Like Home

Guest post by Traci Christler, Annual Fund Coordinator, 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland

Growing up in the suburbs, I couldn’t wait to leave Cleveland and move to a state that wasn’t “round on both ends and hi in the middle.” I was positive that there was something, somewhere, better out there for me. So, off I went, spending years living and working in three other states before I decided to come back home.

As I have gotten older, I reached a point that I wanted nothing more than to come home. To be back with my family and friends became very important to me.  I was tired of missing holidays, birthdays, anniversaries and the good old movie night, all because I lived a state away. There is no other place like Cleveland.  There is no place like home. 

When the opportunity came to work at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland, I jumped on it, not only as a way to come home, but more importantly, as a chance to make a difference in my community. Over the years, the city of Cleveland has taken hits, whether from dwindling education budgets or from Forbes Magazine calling Cleveland one of America's Most Miserable Cities. I wanted to be a part of making Cleveland a better place to live. I want to make Cleveland a better place to call home.  

Last year, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland was a second home to over 6,000 children. The Clubs provide kids with something that they need most - a safe place to grow, learn and realize their full potential. With over 50% of Cleveland’s children living at or below the poverty line (and over 80% of the children that come to the Clubs are living at or below the poverty line), the Clubs are a place where children can get a hot meal, play in organized sports, try their hand at arts and crafts and get a little nagging about their homework. All this is a reminder that someone cares about them.

Home is something that is easy to take for granted. That is, until you are away from it or don’t have one.

If you are interested in taking a tour of one of our Clubs to see our home, please contact Kara Copeland at kcopeland@clevekids.org.

Get in Shape While Hanging Out with Zoo Animals...ALL FOR A GOOD CAUSE!

It's time to start training for our 5k race on June 25th at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo!

 

The fun begins with the Wellness Festival, sponsored by Cleveland Clinic, at 7:30am and the races begin at 8:30am. Bring the whole family for a day of fun at the zoo! Discounted admission is included in the registration fee and family registrations are available for the 1 mile walk/fun run! 

For more information and to register for the race visit: https://bgccleveland.myetap.org/raceforkids/

Need an easy 5k training program to get you started on reaching your goals? I used the Novice 5k training program by Hal Higdon last year and thought it was perfect!