Going back to school can be tough, but for many kids, going to the Club after school makes it a lot easier on them.

Here are a few words the kids had to say about returning to the Club's after-school programs:

• "I look forward to coming back to my Club because it's where I fit in," Tarah, age 16;
• "The Club makes me happy," Jordan, age 11;
• "I'm glad to be back at the Club because I get to play on computers and hang out with the staff," Isaiah, age 8;
• "I'm happy to be back at the Club because we get to do fun things like art, basketball, and use computers. And, I get help with my homework," Mya, age 7.

Three new Clubs are opening soon and we need your support to make sure the Clubs are "decked-out" in time for their grand openings.

Items such as TV's, DVD players, stereo systems, digital cameras, a washer/dryer, and more, help tremendously at the Club.

To download a full list click HERE.

If you, your company, neighbor, or someone you know is interested in donating these items please call
(602) 954-8182 and ask for Dale.

Get creative! Turn this into a department competition to see who can raise the most funds in order to buy these items. Redoing your kitchen? Ask your contractor to support the new Clubs!

Your gift will make a difference for years to come!

During July, thousands of people participated in the Peanut Butter & Jelly campaign held at local Food City & Bashas' Stores. The campaign focused on raising funds and awareness regarding the importance of creating healthy habits in our community's youth.

Funds from the Peanut Butter & Jelly Campaign will help provide Valley Boys & Girls Club kids with healthy meals and also the education to help them make healthy choices.

“Thanks to overwhelming support from our community, we more than doubled our goal,” said Susy Ferra, Community Relations Manager of Bashas’ Family of Stores. “It just goes to show how generous our community can be when there’s such a strong need.”

A big thanks to Bashas, Food City, 12 News, and everyone who supported this great drive!

Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano met with finalists from the Arizona Boys & Girls Clubs Youth of the Year competition.

Governor Janet Napolitano with Youth of the Year Jarmarkus Anderson and Amy Gibbons, President and Executive Director of the BGCMP

The purpose of the meeting was to congratulate these young leaders for their great efforts as positive role models for Arizona's youth.

Each local Boys & Girls Club selects a Youth of the Year candidate who receives a certificate and medallion, then enters the state competition.

Four Arizona finalists receive a plaque and scholarships from Fiesta Bowl, and the winner moves on to the regional competition. Regional winners receive a scholarship and enter a national competition held in Washington, D.C.

Finalists included the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix Youth of the Year Jarmarkus Anderson. Way to go Jarmarkus!

A planned gift can be of great benefit to a donor as well as create a legacy for children in need for generations to come. Take for instance Valerie, a retired high school teacher. Valerie has been a careful saver and has a number of certificates of deposit.

Valerie: “Over the past three years, the returns on my CDs have declined significantly. I have looked carefully, but just haven’t found any secure CDs with a good return rate.”

Valerie talked to a friend who was happy with the gift annuity she had set up with her local Boys & Girls Club.

Valerie: “I called the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix and asked about a charitable gift annuity. I was very pleased to discover that based upon my age, a gift annuity would pay 8%. Plus, there would be a tax deduction and part of the income would be tax-free.

The charitable gift annuity was easy to set up, so I transferred $20,000 from a CD that had matured. I am delighted with my 8% annuity, and my CPA says that the charitable deduction will save me over $3,000 in taxes this year. With my tax savings and increased income, I plan to take a very nice vacation this year!”

Fixed payments for Valerie from the gift annuity are about two times what she was receiving from her one-year certificate of deposit – a win for both Valerie and our community’s kids!

For more information on how you can make a difference please call
(602) 954-8182 or email Brad Kuluris at bkuluris@bgcmp.org.

Ever thought about what it's like for
Hollywood directors to see their films on the big screen? Dozens of kids had a similar opportunity as they participated in the inaugural Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix Film Festival.

The event took place at the Metro Center Harkins Theatre with over 100 kids participating. Entries were divided by age categories and focused on helping the environment or saying no to drugs. The kids were in charge of creating the plot line, selecting the shots, and acting ...a few even composed their own music!

Kids had a great time making their movies and this proved to be a unique experience
for them. What did the movies look like?...here is a sneak peak at a few:

"Club News "

"Go Green!"

"Forrest Gump"

Education Coordinator Angela DiCicco is known as a super hero around the Club as she impacts hundreds of kids through the education program at the Club. Recently she picked up a pencil to further reach kids about the dangers of Meth.

"I had an idea a while ago about creating a Boys & Girls Clubs comic so I decided to give it a go," says Angela. "The comic is based on five characters who represent the Boys & Girls Clubs five core program areas. These characters help kids make healthy choices."

The comic will be distributed to all 10 Clubs of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix to further educate kids about the dangers of Meth.

To Download your free copy of the BGCMP 5 Comic Book Click HERE.

Starting this week Clubs will begin opening at 2:30 p.m. and closing at 8:00 p.m. For a complete list of activities please contact your nearest Club.

August 15
Kids at the Warner A. Gabel Branch will participate in a Paper Airplane Contest. Kids will learn about the basics of aerodynamics as well as the importance of weight distribution on planes. The activity will take place from 4-5 p.m with kids ages 6-12.

August 19
Twelve kids from each of the 10 Clubhouses of the BGCMP will have an opportunity to have their vision screened courtesy of the Arizona Diamondbacks. For those that do need corrective eye glasses, they will receive a voucher to be able to obtain them at no cost! After their screenings the kids will attend a Diamondbacks game and enjoy some snacks provided by our local D-backs. Way To Go!

August 20
Over 100 kids from all 10 branches of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix will have an opportunity to shop for new clothing and school supplies thanks to the Board of Directors. Board members will provide the kids on a unique opportunity to buy some clothing for their return to school, for many of the kids this would be the first time buying clothing for themselves as opposed to receiving hand-me-downs.

September 20
Kids from all Clubs will participate in a variety of activities and contests in celebration of National Boys & Girls Clubs Day for Kids. The event is open to all kids and their families. For more information please contact your nearest Club.

There are a variety of other activities going on throughout the month. Call your local Club for more information and a complete schedule.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS DAY FOR KIDS
September 20, 2008
All Clubs will be hosting activities

MAYORS' CHALLENGE GOLF TOURNAMENT
October 4, 2008
Raven Golf Club at Verado

TODAY'S KIDS, TOMORROW'S STARS
March 14, 2009
Arizona Biltmore Resort

CHAMPION'S DINNER - A PRE-TASTE CELEBRATION
April 11, 2009
Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

35TH ANNUAL TASTE 2009
April 26, 2009
Kierland Commons

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

Kid of the Month Toni Moore

Thirteen-year-old Toni Moore is a member of the Spencer D. & Mary Jane Stewart Branch where she has been attending for the past four years.

Toni comes to the Club almost daily and is involved in numerous Club programs including being a member of the Club’s performing step group, the “Stewart Steppers.” She is also a rookie coach for the Club’s FSN basketball league.

Through coaching, Toni mentors and teaches younger club members about basketball fundamentals and good sportsmanship. Additionally, Toni is a member of the Keystone Club, which is a national Boys & Girls Club leadership and service organization. As a member of the Keystone Club, Toni organizes club fundraisers and community service projects.

Toni is a pleasure to work with and a true asset to the Spencer D. & Mary Jane Stewart Branch. Her dedication to the Club and community make her a role model for her fellow members.

Due to her outstanding character and leadership, we are proud to name Toni Moore as the FSN Arizona Character Counts Kid of the Month. Congratulations, Toni!

Dave Pratt Dental Clinic volunteer Brittany Stone has been a welcome edition to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix. Brittany is a professional Dental Hygienist who volunteers once a month to help out at the clinic by performing dental cleanings and educating patients on oral hygiene. Brittany takes the time to council the children and their parents about the importance of brushing, flossing, nutrition and general oral hygiene.

Many of the children who see Brittany are coming to the dentist for the first time and are nervous about their visit. Brittany puts their fears at ease with her friendly and calm manner making all her patients feel comfortable.

“The kids are great and really appreciate the services they always say thank you, ” says Brittany. Thanks to her volunteering efforts, Dr. Gise, the full time dentist at the clinic, has more time to provide dental care to kids who are in desperate need. Thank you Brittany for helping to make a difference to our communities’ youth!

Many more children could use the help of volunteers like Brittany. If you are a dental hygienist or dental assistant, we could use your help in our clinic once a week or once a month. We are also looking for Dentists who will volunteer their services on more advanced cases in their own offices. We value your time and our children will value your gift, so let us know when you are willing to help. To learn more, contact Marina at 602-271-9961.