It Just Takes One Campaign

The “It Just Takes One ~ Annual Campaign for the Arlington Boys & Girls Club” is more important now that ever! Recently the United Way cut direct funding to the Arlington Boys & Girls Club. These funds supported our general operating budget for many years, and were primarily used to support the Drop –in program and keep the cost of programs and activities affordable for families.

The Drop- in program is the core of the Arlington Boys & Girls Club and is open for youth over 1600 hours each year. Youth participate in many programs including those focusing upon Character and Leadership, Education and Career Development, Health and Life Skills, The Arts, and Sports and Fitness, Most importantly the Drop-In program provides a place where a kid can be a kid.

It is essential that we continue to offer the Drop-in program as many families count on the Club and its staff to provide youth with a fun, safe place to go during the nonschool hours.

This is one example of how the Arlington Boys & Girls Club positively changed the life of a young member..

"My relationship with the Boys & Girls Club began against my will. As a fifth grade elementary school student, all I cared to do after school was to hang out in an unstructured environment with my friends. Instead, my father signed me up for an after-school care program at the Boys & Girls Club where I was among the oldest of my peers. I can readily admit that I was embarrassed at first- while my friends were out causing trouble, I was confined to hanging out with younger kids. What I failed to foresee were the lasting relationships I would soon have with the staff and the leadership role I would assume over the younger students that came so naturally. The “Kids Care” Program allowed me to tap into the leadership skills that are so useful to me today- how ironic that I had initially been so opposed to attending on a regular basis.

As time passed and I grew, the Boys & Girls Club took over a special place in my heart. No matter how tough my family situation became- with drug addictions, divorce, and family feuds- the staff and the kids were always there to comfort me. I was never just another nameless kid. My most memorable Thanksgiving meal was that one provided in a gift basket from the Boys & Girls Club- never had I felt humiliation and gratefulness so powerfully at once. These acts of kindness would shape my own values and propel me to where I stand now.

The Boys & Girls Club has molded me into a great promoter of one of the well-known and clichéd ideas of giving back to one’s community. From a very young age, I had doubts that a person would ever feel compelled to selflessly give back to a community without any self-seeking ulterior motive. Now I find myself at the polar opposite end; although I do not know exactly what my career will be, my top criterion is that I give back to those less fortunate, and to essentially give back to a community that has given to me.

I can’t say that there will be a defining peak of success in my life; rather I hope it continues throughout. What I do know is that my experiences at the Arlington Boys & Girls Club have influenced my world views more than almost anything else, and that the waves of success that already have and will continue to occur in my life will always stem from my time spent there."

How can you help us to continue to make a lasting and important impact on these young lives? It costs the Club $250 a year to properly serve each member, yet a membership costs just $25 per year. We purposely keep dues low, so that all children will have the opportunity to join. Beyond that, we provide over $50,000 in scholarships yearly for Club memberships, summer programs, ABC Pre-School, and our Kids Care afterschool program.

We ask that you consider contributing to our “It Just Takes One” campaign. Your gift can be an annual donation or you may set up a recurring monthly donation via our website.. We will recognize contributions of $250 or more to our “It Just Takes One” campaign in our Annual Report.

It just takes one person to help make a difference. It just takes you. Your financial commitment will enable us to continue the work that will shape the future of our Club and the thousands of youth who attend each year. Thank you for your support of the Arlington Boys & Girls Club.

Sincerely,

It Just Takes One Committee