New Year’s resolutioN

waYs to give

Club visioN

The vision of the Boys & Girls Club of Corvallis is to be the youth organization families and youth choose for its friendly, inclusive, and fun environment that helps school age youth reach their full potential as productive, responsible, caring citizens.

facebook.com/bgclubcorvallis

Lee sat down with his team, Jenny and Jessi, and set goals for 2013 so there would be a clear vision of what they wanted to achieve. One of those goals was to focus on giving. He truly believes that what they do should be for a greater good and that they should be stewards of the gifts they have been given. So, with a team effort the idea of “Helping Open the Door for a Child - One Bedroom at a Time” became a reality. Their goal was to donate 250 memberships to the Club.

To remind themselves daily of their goal they created and hung an inspiration board by the door. It included monthly and year to date totals. When Jenny’s daughter visited the office and saw the board with the simple grid she offered to help jazz it up with drawings she created herself. Lee’s children often ask “How many memberships did you get this month?” What started out as an office goal is now a family effort as well.

One of the reasons the Club was chosen as the recipient of the donations was because different kids have different needs. The Club helps so many children know they matter and can make a difference. It is Lee’s hope that with this gift of kindness children can go where they couldn’t on their own and that the kids will learn to be givers and pay it forward in some way.

Lee also encourages others to give either in a traditional way or come up with something creative. He just hopes it happens, because when it does it’s magical for everyone involved.

The team surpassed their goal of 250 bedrooms in October. But, instead of calling it good they increased their goal to 300 by the end of the year. We wish Lee and his team good luck and thank them for all of the memberships they have been able to give this year.

1112 NW Circle Blvd • Corvallis, Oregon 97330 • 541.757.1909 • www.bgccorvallis.org

Boys & Girls CluB of Corvallis

FALL 2013

» Volunteer your time and skills

» Give in-kind donations

» Give monetary donations

» Advocate for the Club

» Spread the word by “liking” our Facebook page, comment on posts, or better yet by sharing posts

» Attend fundraising events

Newsletter printed with appreciation to the

OF CORVALLIS

Volume 15, Issue 3

news

Throughout the past year Lee Eckroth has been counting bedrooms. Most people wouldn’t think twice about why a broker with Town & Country Realty would be counting such things. But Lee has come up with a truly innovative way to give to the Boys & Girls Club. For every bedroom in a property that he and his team close, a contribution of $25 is given to the Club. Why $25? Because, that is the amount of one Club membership for a boy or girl who could not otherwise afford it.

Lee Eckroth with the inspiration board that is a constant reminder of what it means to focus on giving.

“I had no idea so many great things are happening for kids and teens at the Club….”

Every time I give a tour to a community member, they are positively impressed by the breadth of services the Club provides to our youth: daily dinner service, homework help, technology training, art and music, career exploration and hands on job experiences for our high school members. Does this description surprise you? Do you think that the Club is primarily a sports organization, or a place to play foosball?

Allow me to propose an item for your New Year’s resolutions: commit 30 minutes to come to the Club and meet the BGCC staff which is committed to getting to know every member’s interests and dreams so we can provide the resources and the tools to support

their great future. Come and see the programs we deliver that prepare our youth for success in the classroom and in life. See how we serve 300+ dinners in 30 minutes, or check out our Johnson Dental Clinic that operates three full days each week to eliminate dental pain and suffering in children.

This Club, our community’s only year-round youth center, is supported primarily by local donors and local volunteers. Come and see how your support is shaping the next generation. It will be the most impactful 30 minutes of your year– I guarantee it!

Innovative Giving

Volume 15, Issue 3 Boys & GIrls CluB of CorVallIs

Pastega Family Christmas Tradition The Pastega family has had a long tradition of Christmas displays in Corvallis. This year the family moved the display from its original location at Pepsi to the Benton County Fairgrounds. Many of the pieces were in need of repair, and an appeal went out to the community. Through this appeal, the Club “adopted” the Pastega trains that have been part of the year-end Christmas display for many years.

Dr. Ken Johnson spent countless hours painting and refurbishing the trains for this year’s event. The Dr. Ken and Dot Johnson Dental Clinc has served nearly 4,000 kids in need in our community since 2008.

The Club is OPEN during Non School Days

During the snow filled days of December when schools were closed the Club remained open. By day five of the inclement weather, desperate parents were thrilled to find an outlet for their homebound children so they could return to work. The Club provides this service to parents any day schools are closed but the Club is open, for a reasonable fee. Children from Kindergarten through 8th grade are welcome even if they are not a club member. Check our website for future dates.

Rake & Run 2013On October 22nd the Niceness Ninjas, our elementary service and leadership group, took to the streets to clean up our neighborhood yards during the Rake & Run. In an hour and a half, 30 kids filled over twelve 50 gallon yard waste bags full of leaves. The goal was to instill a sense of belonging and community in our youth through this Boys & Girls Club activity. It’s just a small way we can give back to our community.

Cheerleaders Participate in Corvallis Community Christmas Parade

The Club’s Cheerleading Squad participated in the Corvallis Community Christmas Parade on November 30th. This was the 29th year of the parade that travels through downtown Corvallis and ends at the Benton County Courthouse with the lighting of the holiday tree. The girls had a great time wearing their uniforms and representing the Club. Thank you to Buffalo Wild Wings for sponsoring our Cheerleading Program.

Fall Bump Off Volleyball Tournament The Club hosted the Fall Bump Off Volleyball Tournament on October 5th. This one day tournament included 13 teams that came from all over the valley, including Albany, Corvallis, Lebanon and Brownsville. Teams were made up of 6th, 7th & 8th graders. Over 400 players and families participated. Thank you to Benson’s Interiors for sponsoring this event.

at the boYs & girls Club of Corvallis

Choir Program begins at the ClubChoir Club is a new program that started this year to explore the alternative world of education and have fun with music. Students from 4th to 8th grade have been invited to participate to gain basic music knowledge and a sense of community. Choir Club Director, Gavin Lorens, recently graduated from OSU with a degree in music and is excited to share singing with Club kids. They have performed at two events this fall. One program goal is to give our older elementary students an opportunity to share time with middle schoolers.

In July of this year, the Club, in partnership with the Corvallis School District was awarded a 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant through the Oregon Department of Education. The funding will be distributed over the next five years to offer new academic and enrichment programs after school.

The grant is funded through the federal Title IV-B program, Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and is designed to improve student acievement in low-performing schools through high-quality programs offered outside of the regular school day.

The intent of the Learning Education Community (LEC) program in Corvallis is to boost student learning in a way that is educationally fun and meets the needs of all children K-5th grade. Programs are hosted at Lincoln and Garfield schools and are unique for students attending those schools.

The program encompasses a well rounded curriculum that includes art, the core subjects, music, and gym. Completing daily homework is part of the program. The ratio between staff and students is 1 to 10. Qualified staff members get to know the children and help them learn and grow in the best way possible. The 3rd-5th graders have had the opportunity to engage in interactive science and math activities through the OSU STEM program.

In the new year, swimming at Osbourne Aquatic Center will be included in the program for K-5th grade and a Volunteer Reading Buddy Program is in the works. Volunteers will read one on one with students to help them build their reading skills and to help them develop an interest in reading. (Please contact the Club at 541-757-1909 if you would like to volunteer).

The goal of the LEC is to truly create a partnership with the schools and to reinforce what is being learned in school through the after school program. LEC staff members make connections with their respective schools to get to know students better and to understand specific student needs. The staff also gives learning and behavior progress reports to both teachers and parents on a weekly basis. The school district serves nutritious meals daily at both sites.

Another important aspect of the program is family education. The staff is working with the schools to plan joint family nights that provide education on good parenting practices, how to help continue education at home, and community resource information for families.

The program operates daily from school dismissal until 6pm. Generous scholarships are available for families who qualify and would like their children to participate in this educational enrichment program.

Boys & GIrls CluB of CorVallIs fall 2013

Organization Name Program/Project Funded

Pacific source Johnson Dental Clinic

Allstate (Ken Robblee) Athletics

Benton County Juvenile Department Teen Youth Development Programs

Target Art Center/Meet the Masters

Buffalo Wild Wings All Stars Athletics

GRANTS AWARDED!Thank you to the following organizations:

PARTNERSHIP WITH 509J Learning Education Community voluNteers OF THE MONTH

August: Brian Torres Brian Torres was nominated for his dedication and commitment to working with a number of BGCC programs. As one program manager said, “Brian has been a great role model for younger club members as he has been spotted not only teaching kids how to dance but he talks with them about the importance of staying out of trouble, staying in school and finishing with a high school diploma.” His service is appreciated by the children and staff alike!

September: Ramiro Herrera Ramiro Herrera, brings distinct abilities as a popular yoga instructor to our youth. Ramiro draws upon his varied and sometimes challenging life experiences—including military combat and medicine—to connect with and inspire our teenaged members in a unique way. He serves as a positive role model for young Hispanic participants in our Club’s teen-run Coffee Shop. Ramiro’s yoga classes provide exposure to this life-enhancing practice that would otherwise be unknown to many of our members; we truly appreciate his willingness to take the time to share his knowledge and caring nature with Club youth

October: Pat & Tharwat Ghaly Pat and Tharwat Ghaly were selected as our October volunteers of the month for their work reading and interacting with kids in Kinder Club every Wednesday afternoon. They have been coming together every week since the beginning of summer, missing only two weeks while Pat was out having knee surgery! The kids love having them not only for reading but also for help with projects the kids work on during their time here.

November: Ron Dennistown Ron Dennistown was nominated for his hard work and dedication to the Boys & Girls Club’s athletics program. He has worked with BGCC youth for a number of years as head coach and assistant coach for BGCC basketball and volleyball. Ron’s commitment to youth sports has helped provide a positive and enriching athletic experience for numerous youth.

To become a volunteer view our website at:

www.bgccorvallis.orgor contact our Volunteer Coordinator

541.757.1909

bOArd OF direCtOrS

Thank you to our Board of Directors who donate hours of their free time to serve kids in our community.

Boys & Girls Club of Corvallis Board of Directors

OfficersScott Jackson - Sheriff President

Steve RedmanPresident-Elect

Brian RobertsonSecretary Treasurer

board of directorsKevin BogatinSara GelserGreg HamannZak HansenCapt. Dave HensleeBre Kerkvliet Carol KronstadLacie LaRueJim LuebkeDarin McLemoreBill MercerKaren MisfeldtRyan Sparks, DMDChris StringerKate SundstromTerry ThompsonScott Travelstead, DMD

Honorary MembersTom AhlersJohn GriesmeyerDr. Ken JohnsonPatrice O’BrienBarte Starker

executive directorHelen Z. Higgins

OF CORVALLIS

» Sarah Beagle » Carol Berning » Brooke Bracamonte » Josh Cook » Ron Dennistown » Nicole Dickson » Haley Erickson » Kirt Fuller » Nicole gregg » Destiny Hemry » Dorann Hurley » Haleigh Hurt » Lori Hurt » Marisa Iannaccone » Kelli Kramer » Mel Laam » Kate Lacy » Tracy McDougal » Jeff Megy » Keshia Merchant » Dave Orth » Nevette Orth » amie Parcell » Risha Prasad » Jessica Quinn » Sara Quitugua » Kurt & Lisa Robinson » Courtney Schaub » Christy Scholss » Carmen Shahtout » Laurie Simpson-Combs » Lisa Werner » Allison Yeager

THANK YOu COACHES!

» B. Johnson Turf » Bicoastal Media » BOSS Volleyball Club » Buffalo Wild Wings » Commercial Associates » Consumers Power, Inc » Corvallis Dental Group » L&M Fabrication » Play It Again Sports » Timberhill Athletic Club » Town & Country Realty » Valley Endodontics www.bgccorvallis.org/give

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Volume 15, Issue 3 fall 2013Boys & GIrls CluB of CorVallIs

CELEBRATE KIDS 2014 FUNDRAISINGBREAKFAST Thursday, April 24th - 7:30am at the Club

Keynote Speaker:Dr. Will Keim, Founder, The Character Institute

16TH ANNUAL SUMMER GOLF CLASSICGolf ScrambleFriday, June 27th, 2014 - Trysting Tree Golf Club11:30 am Registration, 1 pm Shotgun Start, 5 pm 19th Hole

AN ENCHANTED EVENING at Paradise Springs

Saturday, JULY 26, 2014WINE - DINNER - FRIENDS - PRIZES

A BENEFIT FOR THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF CORVALLIS

ALL SERVICE CLUBS LUNCHEONaND

2014 YOUtH OF tHe YeAr SeLeCtiON

Thursday, February 13th - 11:30am at the Club

2014 uPCOMING EVENTS

TO REGISTER FOR THESE EVENTS, CALL TODAY: 541.757.1909