It
Just Takes One
The
2008 Annual Campaign for the
Arlington Boys & Girls Club
Dear
Friend,
The
Board of Directors of the Arlington Boys & Girls Club thanks
you for your continued interest in and support of the Club.
This year we are launching a new initiative called
“It Just Takes One ~ The 2008 Annual Campaign for the
Arlington Boys & Girls Club.” It just
takes one caring adult to make a lasting difference in the life
of a child, and we are asking you to be that One.
Here
is an example of how the Club has made a lasting difference
in a young life:
From
a youth 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.
On
our reply sheet we have included other examples of how the Club
has made an impact on youths as well as entire families. Each
of these lives was changed, in part, because of the Club’s
existence. There are many more stories like these that go untold.
As ripples in a pond, each impacted young life will, in turn,
have an impact on others.
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 youth member, yet a youth membership costs
just $20 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 Program.
We
envision our new “It Just Takes One”
campaign will be an annual fundraiser. We plan to phase this
campaign in over the next few years to consolidate some of our
other fundraising activities. We will continue to use our tried
and true fundraisers, such as the Christmas Tree Sale, $10,000
raffle, and golf tournaments, but use the “It
Just Takes One” campaign to replace some
smaller fundraising events and other capital campaigns. Your
gift will be used in a variety of ways to benefit the over 4,500
youth members aged 17 years and under from over 22 communities.
Among them are:
- sponsoring a youth membership,
- delivering quality programs and services in a safe clean environment,
- offering stimulating childcare services while providing peace
of mind to working parents or guardians,
- meeting the unexpected needs of Club families with financial
or material assistance for child care, energy needs, food and
clothing, and
- maintaining the 43 year old facility.
We
ask that you consider contributing to our “It
Just Takes One” campaign. Your gift can
be an annual donation or you may pledge to support us throughout
the year. Boys & Girls Clubs of America recognizes those
individuals who donate $10,000 to any Boys & Girls Club.
At the local level, 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
Steve
Andrew, Ethel Brine Doyle, Steve DeCourcey, Maureen Duddy
Rick Joly, Steve Pooley, Daniel F. Brosnan, Executive Director
Donation
Form Here
Donate
to One Campaign on line here! (Enter class 534000)
Read
more of our Club member stories:
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From a Parent –
I
want to thank you for literally saving my children's lives.
Three years ago, I was diagnosed with liver cancer. My
children were becoming very withdrawn and sad. I found
my son's diary– he kept saying he wanted to kill
himself and what did he do to make God be so mean to him
and his sister. I was completely devastated. I prayed
to God every night for a solution. I was talking to a
friend one day and he mentioned the Arlington Boys &
Girls Club and how good it was for his kids. I came to
the Club and the next day, I was blown away, everybody
was so nice. I saw kids everywhere and they were having
a blast. I brought my kids to the Club the next day -
they loved it too. Now every day the kids come home they
are excited and in a good mood, they get up every morning
ready to go and are happy and smiling again. No words
could explain how grateful I am. Your Club saved their
lives.
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From
a Parent –
From
the first time my wife and I entered the Arlington Boys
& Girls Club, we felt it to be a special place. It
was evident in the way staff members greeted the children
by name –in the joy they clearly took in the children’s
progress. It was evident in the natural way kids of diverse
backgrounds interacted, often melting away barriers of
class and race. It was especially evident in the way young
people with mental or physical challenges participated
in the Club’s activities – in the respect
with which they were treated both by staff and, most impressively,
by other children. That’s the atmosphere of the
place. We live in the next town over, but our own nine-year-old
has grown up with the Arlington Boys & Girls Club
– from “diaper dip” and pre-school to
swim lessons, woodworking class, the baseball card club,
and sometimes just hanging out playing video games. We've
had many opportunities to observe the quality of the Club’s
programs and appreciate the spirit of the staff. It’s
this spirit that makes the Club a special place. A place
where the kids are made to feel special, in a no-nonsense
kind of way. The kids know they are valued, and they respond.
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From a Parent –
To
my family the Club is a safe place where my son and daughter
have been able to come for the last 10 years to learn, grow
and become part of community. The things they have learned go
far beyond how to swim, boat, or play basketball. They have
benefited greatly by being part of a community of children of
varied abilities and facing various challenges. I truly believe
that their time at the “Club” will make a significant
and positive impact on how they live their adult lives. The
staff at the “Club” has been in many ways like an
extended family. My daughter has become a certified lifeguard,
something she would never have even attempted without the encouragement
of Club staff. She has a real gift for working with children.
My son volunteers annually to help with Christmas tree sales.
As a single mom, working full-time, I have been grateful that
the Arlington Boys & Girls Club is here. There is a very
special quality about each and every individual associated with
working in and running the Club. We are all very lucky to have
a place like this where we can entrust our children and feel
confident that they will not only be safe but will benefit daily
from being there!
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