"This (merger) has been in the works for the last year and a half, and we are looking forward to it" said Joe Torrez, executive director for the Glendale Club, located at 5850 W. Northview Avenue in Glendale.

"We feel really positive about this merger," said Jack Gleason, member of the BGCMP board of directors since 1962. "The Glendale Club has done a great job serving kids in the Glendale area. This merger will allow the Club to grow and serve more children than ever before."

Beginning in January 2004 the BGCMP will begin operating a total of ten Clubs across the Valley, as well as the full-service Dave Pratt dental clinic and outreach services. 

Scottsdale based InOne Advertising donated their creative talents to help 13  Non-profits during the second annual  national CreateAThon on September 11, 2003. Thanks to InOne efforts we have a brand new e-Newsletter design. 

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix was one of the selected charities from over 100 applicants. Kim Allison, president of InOne said "We were very impressed with your cause and we hope to play a role in furthering the impact you have on the community." We thank InOne Advertising for their help in making this e-Newsletter great! 

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix's Executive Council, a volunteer group for the organization, in partnership with the Gila River Indian Community, is pleased to present the 3rd annual Gila River Golf Classic at Wild Horse Pass Resort - a PGA Tour Nationwide event, formerly the BUY.COM Tour.

The week's activities at Whirlwind Golf Club include the following:

• Friday, October 3 2003 - Kick-off dinner & auction for Wednesday Pro-Am participants
• Monday, October 6 2003 - Open qualifying; morning practice rounds (Pros only); Afternoon Pro-Am tournament
• Tuesday, October 7 2003 - Morning practice rounds (Pros only)
• Tuesday, October 7 2003-Afternoon Youth Clinic
• Wednesday, October 8 2003 - Morning & afternoon Pro-Am tournaments
• Thursday, October 9 2003 - Gila River Golf Classic - 1st Round
• Friday, October 10 2003 - Gila River Golf Classic - 2nd Round
• Saturday, October 11 2003 - Gila River Golf Classic - 3rd Round; entertainment at the Wild Horse Corral immediately after play on Saturday
• Sunday, October 12 2003 - Gila River Golf Classic - Final Round, live final round coverage by The Golf Channel; Trophy Presentation

For information, please contact Tony Sokolowski at (602)-954-8182 or visit the PGA Tour's website at www.pgatour.com.

Remember 2002 Youth-of-the-Year Daniel Gonzalez? Two years ago he represented the Tri-City West/Thornwood Branch as its Youth of the Year, was close to graduating from Agua Fria High School and wanting to pursue a career as an automotive technician.

Today Daniel's life has changed a lot, and all for the better. He graduated from high school, started working at the Boys & Girls Clubs and is attending a nine-month automotive technology training program at Universal Technical Institute (UTI) on a full scholarship.

"I've received a lot of support and recognition from the Boys & Girls Clubs and from UTI," said Daniel. That has helped him keep on track to reach his goals.

"When we learned of Daniel's interests, we knew this was a young man with potential that we could help achieve a goal," said Kim McWaters, president of UTI. "We are the leading provider of technicians for industry, and we take the responsibility of actively encouraging and supporting activities and organizations that benefit the communities we serve."

Congratulations, Daniel! Keep striving to reach your goals.

This year's Imagemakers photography contest recently concluded, and we are very proud to announce that Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix kids photography was honored at the Pacific regional competition.

This year's regional competition was held on June 6, 2003. The contest contemplates four different categories: Black and White, Color, Digital, and Photo Essay in four different age groups: 6-9, 10-12, 13-15 and 16-18.

75 kids from the BGCMP, submitted their pictures to the Pacific regional competition, winning three 1st place awards as well as a runner-up award.

Go to Imagemakers gallery >>

State Keystone Conference
October 10-12
Annual leadership & career development conference for teen leaders through AZ.

Technology Decathlon
October 18
State-wide competition for Boys & Girls Club kids in four main areas:
- Graphic Design Challenge
- Battle of the Brains
- SkillTech Challenge
- TechHead Challenge

Halloween parties:
October 29
Tolleson Branch from 5-7 p.m.
October 30
Spencer D. & Mary Jane Stewart Branch from 5-8 p.m.
Herbert Kieckhefer Branch from 4-6 p.m.
I.G. Homes Branch from 5-8 p.m.
October 31
Tri-City West/Thornwood Branch from 5-8 p.m.
Louis & Elizabeth Sands Branch from 5-8 p.m.
Jerry & Helen Wisotsky/Peoria Branch from 5-8 p.m

GILA RIVER GOLF CLASSIC AT WILD HORSE PASS RESORT
A PGA TOUR EVENT more info >>
Mon., October 6- Sun., October 12, 2003
Wild Horse Pass Resort
Chairman: Brad East

IFMA GOLF TOURNAMENT more info >>
Thursday, November 13, 2003
Estrella Mountain Golf Club

HOLIDAY AUCTION more info >>
November 15, 2003
Doubletree La Posada Resort
Co-Chairs: Donna Dobrovich and Lisa Rehurek

TODAY'S KIDS, TOMORROW'S STARS
KIDS AUCTION AND DINNER more info >>
Saturday, March 6, 2004
Arizona Biltmore Resort
Chairman: Wayne Allcott
Honorary Chairs: Carole & Arte Moreno

PRE-TASTE 2004 more info >>
Saturday, April 10, 2004
Kierland Westin Resort & Spa
Chairman: Keaton Merrell

30TH ANNUAL TASTE more info >>
Sunday, April 18, 2004
Kierland Commons
Chairman: Ken Reynolds

Valley Toyota Dealers presented a check for $18,028 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix last September 17th. This check was the result of a successful summer time oil change program. 

In addition, the sale of Toyota’s one-millionth Toyota certified used vehicle represented very good news to the BCGMP. The purchaser of the one-millionth unit received a free car. Toyota made a cash donation of $22,783 to the BGCMP to celebrate! 

Growing up, Anthony was a trouble-maker in his central Phoenix neighborhood. When he was only 10 years old he was required to complete community service at the Warner Gable Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix. By the age of 14, Anthony was receiving award after award and in 1989 he won Arizona's Boys & Girls Clubs Youth of the Year and a full scholarship to attend Brophy College Preparatory. In 1991, Anthony obtained a scholarship to attend The University of Notre Dame, where he graduated with a major in Finance in 1995.

Anthony's list of achievements is pretty impressive, but what's most impressive is his sense of responsibility to give back to the community and especially to the Clubs. Arellanes, now a financial advisor for Bank One Securities, is driven by his family, his community and those whom he met at the BGCMP. Anthony serves as Sponsorship Chairman for the Branch Development Board's Holiday Auction scheduled for November 15, 2003, at the DoubleTree La Posada Resort. Click here to get more information on the Holiday Auction or on the Branch Development board.

Nine year-old Robert has been the member of the month at the Spencer D. and Mary Jane Stewart Branch three times and counting!

Robert has expressed a strong interest in art and is quite talented. He can often be found in the art room working on his own projects and helping others.

His spirit of service and his great positive attitude are something truly remarkable. Robert is a kid who sticks around to help clean up after the group is done with an activity. He is very kind to his fellow club members and staff, and always has a huge smile for everybody. Congratulations, Robert!