West Valley mayors are teaming up once again to help our community's youth. This coming October, join Marie Lopez Rogers, Mayor of Avondale; Tom Schoaf, Mayor of Litchfield Park; Adolfo Gamez, Mayor of Tolleson; James Cavanaugh, Mayor of Goodyear; and Bob Bryant, Mayor of Buckeye for the 11th Annual Mayors’ Challenge Golf Tournament sponsored by UTI. The tournament will take place on Saturday, October 7, 2006 at the Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa.  

Since its inception the tournament has raised more than $125,000 to support the Tri-City West/Thornwood Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix (BGCMP). 

The Mayors’ Challenge Golf Tournament offers a unique golf opportunity allowing participants to tee-off against the West Valley mayors. The tournament promises to be a fun-filled day of golfing for a great cause.

The tournament will take place at the beautiful Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa (300 Wigwam Boulevard, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340) with registration starting at 6:30 a.m. The event will begin at 7:30 a.m. with a shotgun start. 

Sponsorship opportunities begin at $300. For more information about the Mayors’ Challenge Golf Tournament, please call (602) 954-8182 or email llesniak@bgcmp.org. To download a brochure and a sign up sheet, follow this link.

Triple Play is the perfect opportunity to leave the office, master new skills, and network -- all while having fun! 

Triple Play offers attendees three opportunities: (1) to learn, from top-notch speakers, how to master critical skills that will increase confidence and make work more enjoyable; (2) to support the BGCMP; and (3) a post-workshop, luxurious sky-suite view of a game between the Diamondbacks and the San Diego Padres....What's not to like?

In a first-of-its-kind approach to fund-raising, two nationally recognized professional speakers are volunteering their time and expertise by hosting Triple Play workshops at Chase Field on Wednesday, August 30, 2006. All proceeds will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix.

Registration for both workshops and lunch is only $200; to register for your choice of the morning or afternoon workshop and lunch is $125. All attendees are invited to stay in the suite to watch the baseball game at no additional charge courtesy of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

For more information on Triple Play, please call (602) 954-8182, visit www.bgcmp.org, or email tripleplay@bgcmp.org. Seating is limited to 100, so reservations are encouraged by August 21. 

Sixty years ago, the doors of opportunity of the first Phoenix Boys Club were opened. Today, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix serves over 26,500 kids each year through its 10 branches, the Dave Pratt Dental Clinic, and outreach services. But those numbers are about to change.

On October 18, 2006 the BGCMP will celebrate its history by hosting a basketball tournament of Alumni vs. Members sponsored by FSN Arizona at the Harry & Sandy Rosenzweig Branch (formerly the Agnes Miller Unit). If you attended a Boys & Girls Clubs while growing up, contact us and share your story via email at alumni@bgcmp.org. If you are interested in participating in this basketball tournament please let us know. 

That same day, the organization will begin to move towards the future by breaking ground on three new clubhouse locations. This simultaneous ground breaking ceremony, sponsored by Cox Communications, will be broadcast live to the Rosenzweig Branch so alumni and members can celebrate this paramount moment. 

So mark your calendar for October 18, 2006 and if you are interested in attending this event or if you want more information, give us a call at 602.954.8182. Come Back Home! and celebrate with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix.  

What do the Mayors' Challenge Golf Tournament and Today's Kids, Tomorrow's Stars have in common? They both raise funds for the BGCMP. They are put together by a strong group of volunteers. Yes! but they have also received the support of Universal Technical Institute (UTI) as their title sponsor.

UTI's support for the BGCMP goes beyond just financial contributions. This year, former UTI Chair and CEO Bob Hartman served as the honorary chair for Today's Kids, Tomorrow's Stars, the BGCMP's premier fundraiser which raised $1.4 million in 2006 for the organization. Kim McWaters, UTI's CEO, is also a member of the BGCMP Board of Directors and the executive committee which guides the principles and values of the organization.

A huge thank you to UTI, its leadership, and its employees for their continuing commitment to the BGCMP and to our community's youth.

"No more pencils, no more books"....For some kids, that little jingle doesn't mean school's out for the summer. It means that school is back in session, and the kids don't have the supplies they need!

KMLE Country 108 and Fulton Homes are teaming up again this year to provide Valley children with the school supplies they need: pens/pencils, paper, scissors, glue, construction paper, watercolor paints, rulers, paper punches, calculators, etc. Donation bins were placed at Safeway stores throughout the Valley to collect these much needed supplies. 

The collected school supplies will be presented to Club members on August 21, 2006.

"Good Old Days" - Amanda, age 16 Photo Essay Regional Winner

Members of the BGCMP were recently selected as regional winners in the ImageMakers Photography Contest. In total, five youth from the Peoria, Tolleson, Tri-City West, and Sands branches received this prestigious award. 

"This is a very important achievement for our kids," said Amy Gibbons, President and Executive Director of the BGCMP. "It shows that, when given the right opportunities, kids will succeed. The number of regional winners we had also shows that the dedication and professionalism of our staff really permeates to our kids."

ImageMakers is a year round photography program that provides members of all ages the opportunity to learn about photography. Each year, Boys & Girls Club members participate in photography exhibits that provide local, regional, and national recognition. 

Members participate in several categories including black and white, color, digital, and alternative process photography as well as photo essay. Members are also divided into age groups in order to allow members of all ages the opportunity to participate. All of the national winners are featured in a virtual gallery at the ImageMakers website at www.imagemakersbgca.org    

The Clubs are returning to their back-to-school schedules, which means fun education activities and sports for kids each day! The listed events are samples of activities at the Clubs: 

Wednesday, August 16
The BGCMP Board of Directors took 100 Club members back to school shopping. The kids received clothing and a backpack full of school supplies for their upcoming school year thanks to the support of JCPenney, Wist Office Products, and BGCMP board members.

Monday, August 21
Members of the I. G. Homes Branch will resume meetings for their Torch Club. A Torch Club is a small group of Club members, aged 11-13, who agree upon, develop and implement their own programs and activities. Groups typically involve between eight and 15 young people, and have as a primary focus the development of character and leadership skills of
group members. Meetings will begin at 4:30 p.m. 

Thursday, August 24
Members of the Louis & Elizabeth Sands Branch will begin their SMART Girls Program. SMART Girls is a small-group program that utilizes a combination of informal and experimental learning activities to help female Club members develop healthy attitudes and lifestyles.

Thursday, August 24
The Jerry & Helen Wisotsky/Peoria branch will holding its first after school meeting for their Money Matters program. Money Matters promotes financial responsibility and independence among Club members ages 13-18 by building their basic money management skills. Participants learn how to manage a checking account, budget, save and invest. meetings will be held every Thursday at 4:00 p.m. 

Call your local Club for more information and a complete schedule.

TRIPLE PLAY WORKSHOPS BENEFITING THE BGCMP 
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Chase Field

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS DAY FOR KIDS
Saturday, September 16, 2006
All 10 Branches will host their own celebrations

11TH ANNUAL MAYORS' CHALLENGE GOLF TOURNAMENT
Saturday, October 7, 2006
Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa

BACK IN THE DAY BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT SPONSORED BY FSN ARIZONA
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Harry & Sandy Rosenzweig Branch

GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY SPONSORED BY COX COMMUNICATIONS.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Ground breakings at the Palomino II Elementary School, Isaac Middle School, and the Harold W. Smith School.

VALLEY PARTNERSHIP RENOVATION OF THE HERBERT KIECKHEFER CLUBHOUSE
Saturday, November 4, 2006
Herbert Kieckhefer Branch

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FALL CLASSIC GOLF TOURNAMENT
Friday, December 1, 2006
Talking Stick Golf Club 

TODAY'S KIDS, TOMORROW'S STARS
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Arizona Biltmore Resort 

For more info on these events, call (602) 954-8182 or visit www.bgcmp.org 

Troy Emerson with FSN Arizona reporter Kevin McCabe

Troy Emerson was recently featured as the FSN Arizona Character Counts Kid of the Month, and needless to say, he was very happy about it. 

“I think it’s exciting -- you get to do things and you know that you are a good kid.” 

Troy is an 11-year-old who has been attending the Glendale Branch for several years. He can be found everyday at the Club and loves playing with the other kids in the games room. However, sports are Troy's true passion. 

“Football is my favorite because you get to move around and be active and catch the ball. I used to play wide receiver,” said Troy about his involvement in sports, and he is a good athlete as well. “I have basketball and football trophies, and certificates in football and baseball.” 

Troy always exhibits good sportsmanship and fair play and his sense of humor and dedication have earned him the recognition of his peers and coaches.

“It’s fun to play, but it’s also fun to win,” said Troy. Although he likes winning, he also recognizes that the other team can sometimes feel bad about losing. “I encourage the other team so that they don’t feel bad if they lose. I tell them that it’s ok, it’s just a game, we can always play again.”

Troy will be entering the 6th grade this school year, and he is already making plans to become a doctor when he grows up so he can help others. 

Troy is a dedicated member who actively takes a leadership role with his teammates and with the younger members in the Club. Troy Emerson is proud to represent the BGCMP as this month’s FSN Arizona’s Character Counts Kid of the Month.

The BGCMP is proud to recognize community leaders The Home Depot and the Phoenix Suns which recently teamed up with Amaré Stoudamire to complete the new Amaré Stoudamire Reading and Learning Center at the I. G. Homes Branch.

Located in an often-troubled neighborhood, the I. G. Homes Branch provides a safe and nurturing haven to hundreds of children who do not have access to any other parks or services in their area.

“This truly is an all-star team with Amaré Stoudamire, the Phoenix Suns, and The Home Depot coming together to empower the kids at our I. G. Homes Branch and our community,” said Amy Gibbons, President and Executive Director of the BGCMP. “The new Center provides an inspiring environment where our children can learn, grow, and aspire to great things.”

The Amaré Stoudamire Reading and Learning Center provides an opportunity for our community’s children to have the educational tools and support needed to succeed. The Home Depot generously provided the construction materials for the project in addition to the nearly 100 volunteers to complete the construction and installation. The Phoenix Suns provided funding as well as the design and manpower to make this happen. In total, more than $64,000 was donated to this project, which will benefit over 500 youth each year yet will have an impact for generations to come. 

Thank you, Phoenix Suns and The Home Depot, for your outstanding dedication to helping our community!