The bases are loaded for a home run as we approach the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix's "Today's Kids, Tomorrow's Stars," an event proudly sponsored by UTI.

Stars will take place at the Arizona Biltmore Resort on Saturday, February 23, and will celebrate 10 All-Star youth and Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig. 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.

In addition to crowning the 2008 Youth of the Year for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix, the evening includes a memorable dinner and some of the Valley's most exclusive items available at both the silent and live auctions. Prepare yourself by checking out our new Stars web page at www.stars2008.org.

Don't forget to mark your calendar for Saturday, February 23, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. and join the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix in honoring outstanding youth at "Today's Kids, Tomorrow's Stars." Download an invitation today by clicking here. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, please call (602) 954-8182 or visit www.stars2008.org.

Thousands of children who receive our services and the hundreds of families Valleywide thank YOU for your donations.

Your support of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix is crucial. This holiday season your donations helped to ensure:

• More than 2,000 holiday gifts for kids;
• 239 kids received clothes for the holidays and their upcoming school year;
• 43 families were adopted;
• More than 11 holiday celebrations; and
• much needed support for kids and their families was provided.

Thank you to everyone who helped support these efforts by donating and/or volunteering during this holiday season. Your support has made THE difference for thousands of kids Valleywide.

You are invited to enjoy a world-tour of taste celebrating the diversity of flavors found in food and wine across the globe. You can experience it all in one evening at the 34th annual "Taste 2008 - A World of Flavor."

Featuring flavors from Italy, Japan, Germany, France, South America, and Spain, the list is almost endless. Food and wine from particular regions often complement each other. Whether you prefer gourmet delicacies or enjoy a great wine tasting, Taste 2008 will inspire your inner connoisseur to explore the different flavors of the world.

Sunday, April 6, 2008
6 to 9 p.m. at the Kierland Commons (northwest corner of Scottsdale Road and Greenway Parkway.) Individual tickets to Taste 2008 start at $150 each. Underwriting and sponsorship packages are also available.

Also check out: Champion's Dinner Celebration: A black-tie dinner and auction honoring community champion Mike Gallagher, Saturday, March 22, 2008 5:30 p.m. to midnight, at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa (northwest corner of Greenway Parkway and Kierland Boulevard.) Tickets to the Champions Dinner start at $500 each. If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or tickets, please call (602) 954-8182.

Hundreds of kids and dozens of volunteers are gearing up for the kick off of the 2008 FSN Arizona Basketball League.

This is not your regular basketball league. The FSN Arizona Basketball League focuses not only on the competitive aspect of basketball but also on helping kids develop their teamwork and leadership skills, learn about the rules and origin of basketball, and have a good time while promoting fitness.

More than 1,200 kids participated in this league last year. With many schools cutting out their gym time and extra curricular activities, the FSN Arizona basketball league provides children with the critical opportunity to exercise and develop healthy skills.

There are still spots available for basketball coaches. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer coach, please contact Teresa Reinhofer at (602) 343-1210.

The Clubs use high-yield learning activities to stimulate a continuing interest for learning in the kids. Contact your nearest Club for more information. The following calendar of events lists a sampling of activities at the Clubs:

Friday, February 15
During the Today's Kids, Tomorrow's Stars event, Kids of the Year will also have an opportunity to shine. But before the event, they will all celebrate their achievements at the Kid of the Year party. Two kids from each Club are selected each year as Kids of the Year based on their character, leadership, and service at the Club. Attending the celebration will be other family members and Club staff. In recent years we have seen the first Kids of the Year grow up to become Youth of the Year. The celebration will begin at 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 21
The I. G. Homes teen center will be hosting a Teen Council meeting in which teens from all Clubs will participate to help develop programs and outreach resources for other teens. The Teen Council will convene at 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 21
Members at the Spencer D. & Mary Jane Stewart branch will honor Black History Month. Kids will review Dr. King's "I have a dream" speech, as well as learn about other important characters of black history in the U.S. Parents and family members are invited to attend this event to see the kids perform several skits. The event will begin at 6:00 p.m.

Friday, February 29
Kids ages 8-12 from the all ten Clubs will have an opportunity to travel the world in one day as they participate in the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix International Festival. Each Club has been selected to represent a country's arts & crafts, samples of food, and music to bring a multi-sensory experience for other kids. The event will take place starting at 5:00 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.

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

CHAMPION'S DINNER AND PRE-TASTE CELEBRATION
HONORING MIKE GALLAGHER
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

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

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

GLOBAL GALA 2008: GIVING IS AN ART
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 Branden Sanders with FSN's Jody Jackson

Seventeen-year-old Branden Sanders has been attending the I. G. Homes Boys & Girls Club for as long as he can remember. During this time, he has participated in every area of the Club and has taken full advantage of the opportunities the Club provides to kids in the community.

Today, Branden is known at the Club as a leader that other kids look up to. Whether assisting as a junior referee at a flag football game or just helping others with their homework, Branden is a familiar face for most kids at the Club. He spends almost every day of the week at the Club and when he is not doing homework or playing basketball at the gym, he is usually found sharing a few laughs with other kids at the Club.

At school, Branden is known as an athlete-scholar with consistently high grades and a great record for playing hoops. Due to his outstanding character and leadership, we are proud to name Branden Sanders as the FSN Arizona Character Counts Kid of the Month. Congratulations, Branden!

On Sunday, January 6th the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix lost a very dear friend of our family. Ron Bergamo, general manager of AZ-TV and tireless volunteer for the organization passed away in a car accident.

Ron was a champion in our community and a recognized business leader. Having grown up in the Boys & Girls Clubs, Bergamo supported the organization throughout his adult life. He was a member of the board of directors and also a strong advocate and supporter of the organization.

He will be sorely missed.