Charity Navigator, America's largest evaluator of charities, has awarded the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix a four-star ranking, its highest ranking.

Charity Navigator's rating system examines two broad areas of a charity's financial health -- how responsibly it functions day to day, and how well positioned it is to sustain its programs over time.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix is one of only 23 non-profits in Arizona to receive this coveted ranking. Visit www.charitynavigator.org to learn more.

Prepare to score a home run at Today's Kids, Tomorrow's Stars Sponsored by UTI on Saturday, February 23, 2008. Ten all-star youth who have overcome seemingly insurmountable odds and MLB Commissioner Bud Selig will be honored!

Commissioner Selig will be honored for the first time in Phoenix for his contributions to our nation's youth and service to those in need.

Stars features one of the Valley's most exclusive live auctions as well as an exciting silent auction. To preview some of the items that will be auctioned off, visit www.stars2008.org. Visit often to preview items that are added as the event nears.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, please call (602) 954-8182 or visit www.stars2008.org

Help raise needed money for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix when you buy tickets to the Andrea Bocelli concert at Jobing.com Arena on December 14th.

Each ticket sold through the Musical Passion for Purpose will result in a 20% contribution to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix without any additional cost to you.

Simply click in the GET TICKETS link and follow the instructions. Don't forget to enter code "BGC". Thank you for you support!

Thanks to Arizona's tax credit for the working poor, you can receive a tax credit for your contribution and help kids in need. Please take a moment to contribute FREE MONEY and change a kid’s life.

How does it work? It's as easy as 1, 2, 3.

To view a video about this program, please click here:

There are many ways to donate:
online at www.bgcmp.org
by mailing your contribution to Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix,
2645 North 24th Street, Phoenix AZ 85008
or by calling (602) 954-8182.

Remember, you can participate in this program AND the school tax credits.
* Beginning in 1996. Your gift is also a federal deduction - Uncle Sam may even give you a refund! For more information, visit www.revenue.state.az.us or consult your tax advisor.

Mark your calendar for Sunday, April 6, 2008.

This will be when the 34th annual taste event takes place. Titled Taste 2008, A World of Flavor, the event is put together by the BGCMP's Executive Council, and has grown to become one of the largest wine and food tasting events in the Valley, attracting 6,000 guests every year.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or tickets please call (602) 954-8182.

Kids from all ten branches of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix participated in a Meth Awareness event on November 30, in observance of National Meth Awareness Month. Also attending the event were Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard and Maricopa County Supervisor Don Stapley.

Thank you, Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, Maricopa County Supervisor Don Stapley, and City of Phoenix law officers, for your involvement in helping our kids stay away from meth.

Hundreds of kids and families turned to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix to help them spend a happy Thanksgiving. The Clubs provided meals, beverages, and entertainment at all of our sites. Thank you to all the volunteers and donors who helped make these celebrations a reality for our Valley's youth.

Kids at the Clubs will be celebrating the Holidays through a variety of parties Valleywide. Contact your nearest Club for more information. The following calendar of events lists samples of activities at the Clubs:

Saturday, December 15
Warner A. Gabel Branch 2 - 4 p.m.
Herbert Kieckhefer Branch 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday, December 19
I. G. Homes Branch 5 - 7 p.m.
Louis & Elizabeth Sands Branch 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, December 20
Glendale Branch 5 -7 p.m.
Tri-City West/Thornwood Branch 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Jerry & Helen Wisotsky/Peoria Branch 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Harry & Sandy Rosenzweig Teen Center 6 - 8 p.m.

Friday, December 21
Harry & Sandy Rosenzweig Branch 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Spencer D. & Mary Jane Stewart Branch 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Tolleson Branch 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Jerry & Helen Wisotsky/Peoria Branch Teen Center 6 - 10 p.m.

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

MOLINA HOLIDAY PARTY TO BENEFIT THE
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF METROPOLITAN PHOENIX
Friday, December 7, 2007
Arizona Biltmore Resort

TODAY'S KIDS, TOMORROW'S STARS - CELEBRATING EXTRAORDINARY YOUTH! HONORARY CHAIR MLB COMMISSIONER BUD SELIG
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Arizona Biltmore Resort
www.stars2008.org

CHAMPION'S DINNER
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Westin Kierland Resort

TASTE 2008, A WORLD OF FLAVOR
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Kierland Commons

POST TASTE EVENT
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Barcelona Restaurant/Club

GLOBAL GALA
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Rima Fine Art Gallery

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

Kid of the Month Hector Licon

Hector Licon is a 13-year-old member of the Glendale Branch. Since joining the Club, Hector has participated in flag football, floor hockey, and basketball. He rarely misses practice but attends every single game. Hector continues to work hard at developing his athletic abilities. He especially wants to improve his basketball skills.

Hector is considered an outstanding member. Always willing to lend a helping hand, he participates in every activity in each rotation, including activities he does not particularly enjoy. Hector is known for his positive attitude, and tries his best at everything he encounters. He is a positive role model at the Glendale Club and gets other members involved in the activities.

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

It is always an exciting day at the Warner A. Gabel Branch when Terry Duffy walks through the doors with her art supplies and a huge smile.

As the creative force behind Glyphics Design, each month Terry chooses a different artist to highlight during her class. Some of the artists she has chosen are Matisse, Mondrian, and Jackson Pollack. She chooses abstract artists who are not intimidating to kids. She begins by teaching the history and art philosophy of the artist. The kids look at pictures of the artist's works and discuss how they were created. The kid’s then draw on their artistic skills to create similar works of art.

Terry has the amazing ability to teach the kids about an artist while allowing them to explore their own artistic talents. She makes it fun to learn the history of the art world and how it relates to their art project of the day. All the kids love to attend the class each month and to work closely with Terry. Club member Ananda says, “Terry is nice and fun and helps us figure out art projects. I love learning about the artists and painting.”

Thank you, Terry, for helping our kids learn to explore their love of art and find their true talents!!

If you are interested in volunteering at the Boys & Girls Clubs, please contact Teresa Reinhofer at treinhofer@bgcmp.org or call (602) 343-1210. We are currently looking for volunteers to coach basketball, tutor, help with art classes, teach dance, and assist with numerous other volunteer opportunities. To learn more about volunteering visit our website at www.bgcmp.org.