A true prodigy, William composed his first piece at age five. With the help of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix and the Ed Robson family, eight-year-old William received the scholarships he needed to develop his talent.

Today, William Joseph is a world-class pianist, recording artist and composer. He has released two albums produced by the legendary David Foster and has thrilled audiences around the world with his original compositions and youthful, contemporary take on classical music. He has been featured on the Dr. Phil show and many others.

On November 7, 2009, William is returning to Arizona to perform at the Mesa Arts Center. Preview one of his spectacular performances by clicking here. For additional information about William, please visit www.william-joseph.com.

To purchase tickets to this breathtaking event, please visit www.azpbs.org/williamjoseph

We celebrate Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and birthdays, but how about a day for kids? On September 11th, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix will celebrate National Boys & Girls Clubs Day for Kids with exciting events and activities for the whole family. Day for Kids is a special day set aside to celebrate kids and their families, a day for families to bond and strengthen healthy relationships. To find a Day for Kids event near you, call your neighborhood Club or visit www.dayforkids.org

We hope to see you at one of our twelve Day for Kids events!

On July 25th, the Jerry & Helen Wisotsky/Peoria branch held a very successful health fair. Nearly 600 youth and 400 adults learned about important health topics. Valley organizations came to the fair to offer their expertise, including United Blood Services of Arizona, MADD, the Maricopa County WIC Program, and more. The event helped connect the community and served as a wonderful learning opportunity.

Thank you to all who made this event possible. The Jerry & Helen Wisotsky/Peoria branch is already planning another fair for August 24th. Hope to see you there!

Club kids across the Valley participate a wide variety of programs at the Club everyday. For more information on activities and times call the Club nearest you.

August 10 - October 30
While the Arizona Cardinals are practicing plays up in Flagstaff, our own Arizona Cardinals Flag Football teams are gearing up for a great season. Kids are invited to join one of the flag football teams and learn the fundamentals of the game and become part of a team.  Registration to participate in the Arizona Cardinals Flag Football league is coming up quickly, check with your local Club for specific season dates and fees.

August 10-14
Growing up also means maturing into the next grade level. Starting next week, kids at the Swift Kids Branch will receive some assistance with maturing as they participate in the Youth for Unity program which allows them to learn about cultural diversity.

August 18
Squash, tomatoes and gourds…oh my! Club kids from the Spencer D. & Mary Jane Stewart Branch will be cookin’ up some delicious recipes with some very unique ingredients. For the next few weeks, kids will be growing their own fruits and vegetables including: squash, corn, tomatoes and gourds. Move aside Emeril!

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

You are invited to join Mark Victor Hensen (co-author of the Chicken Soup book series) and Sharon Lechter (co-author of Rich Dad Poor Dad) at an exciting seminar on Social Networking on August 28-30.

During this event, you will discover: 10 Ways to Make Money in Social Networking; "The Language of Money," & Financial Education for our Kids; Making Money Starting with No Money; And so much more!

To learn more or to register for the seminar, simply go to www.MVHseminar.com Enter “BGCMP” in the coupon code field and 25% of your registration fee will go to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix.

Join the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix cheer on the Diamondbacks and give our community's kids a brighter future. Purchase tickets to the Dbacks Vs. Padres game and a percentage will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix.

To purchase tickets, visit www.dbacks.com/groups
Enter log-in: bgcmp and password: kids

Save the Date:
Saturday, September 26th
Padres vs. Dbacks
5:10 p.m. Game Time

Join the West Valley Mayors and Special Guest, NFL Hall of Famer, Randall McDaniel at the beautiful Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa for the 14th Annual Mayors’ Challenge Golf Tournament. This 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 while golfing for a great cause.  

Saturday, October 24, 2009
The Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa
300 Wigwam Boulevard, Litchfield Park
7:00 a.m. Registration
8:00 a.m. Shotgun Start

Greens fee, golf cart, range balls, and lunch are included. Sponsorship opportunities start at just $300. For more information on the tournament click here or call 602-954-8182

Donate two pairs of new jeans and enjoy the Phoenix Art Fusion event.

September 30, 2009
The Phoenix Art Museum
Time: 5:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.

Free admittance with a donation of 2 pairs of NEW jeans Junior/S/M/L/Plus Sizes. All of the jeans donated will benefit kids in need at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix. For more information follow this link.

Kid of the Month Alejandro Hernandez

Alejandro Hernandez is a 13-year-old who has been attending the Boys & Girls Club for the last two years.

At the Club, Alejandro loves playing sports and has participated in a variety of leagues. He also enjoys hanging out with friends in the Teen Room and playing Wii Guitar Hero. To give back to his community, he is a member of the Club’s Keystone service Club and often volunteers in the computer lab and gym. 

Alejandro is able to participate in a variety of activities and still maintain a 3.8 grade point average. After high school, he wants to attend ASU to study architectural engineering. 

Due to his outstanding character and leadership, we are proud to name Alejandro as the FS Arizona Character Counts Kid of the Month.  Congratulations, Alejandro!

Branch Development Board member Stacy LaFrance first experienced the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix as a guest at our Today’s Kids, Tomorrow’s Stars event.  Hearing the youths' success stories made her want to be a part of the Boys & Girls Clubs movement.

Stacy now serves as the Learning and Growth Chair, and is a very active volunteer. Her leadership in the Branch Development Board’s support of Club events has greatly impacted our kids, as well as our other volunteers. 

She's tenacious in her volunteering efforts. At Back to School Shopping last year she took a young lady into every shoe store in the mall until she found the perfect pair of shoes for her young shopping partner.

Her commitment and enthusiasm for making the lives of our kids better is inspiring. Her passion and excitement for supporting our Clubs and our kids is contagious!

Thank you Stacy for your leadership and dedication!

Edward told his attorney that he wanted to make a bequest to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix while also providing a gift to his children. Edward's estate included some stocks, real estate and an IRA. Edward's attorney recommended that he give the stock and real estate to his children and leave his IRA to charity.

Edward: My attorney told me that if I gave the stock and real estate to my children, these assets would receive a step-up in basis at my death. My children could then sell them without paying tax. However, if I gave my children my IRA, the IRA would be subject to estate and income tax. After paying all of these taxes, very little would be left for my family. By giving the IRA to the Club, a tax exempt institution, I could make a nice gift and avoid any additional tax for my estate and children.

Edward contacted his IRA custodian to obtain a beneficiary designation form. He filled out the form and his attorney specified in his will the bequest of his other assets to his children.

If, like Edward, you would like to set up a bequest benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix, please call (602) 954-8182 or e-mail Brad Kuluris at bkuluris@bgcmp.org.