The Branch Development Board, a volunteer group for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix is delighted to announce the 2009 Global Gala.

Save the date for Friday, May 15, 2009 from 5:30 - 9:30 p.m. for a unique downtown experience. Join the Branch Development Board at the new 5th Avenue and Madison Event Center (441 W Madison St., Phoenix AZ).

Experience a unique downtown event while raising money for the kids and having fun in the process. Enjoy a sampling of savory culinary delights from wonderful Phoenix restaurants.

Bid on fabulous silent auction items and take part in an exciting live auction with items "priced for everyone." Enjoy live music throughout the event the evening. This is an excelent after-work event to kick-start the weekend.

For more information please call (602) 954-8182 or visit www.bgcmp.org.

There were cheers and smiles from wall to wall as hundreds of kids and parents from the Palomino community celebrated the opening of the Ed Robson Family Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix.

Mr. Ed Robson played an important part in the construction of this new facility, as well as serving as chairman of the Kids, Clubs, Opportunity Campaign that raised the funds needed to build our three new Clubs.

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and many sponsors were present to show their support at the opening. The club will provide close to 1,500 children each year with life changing programs and opportunities.

The event included a very special visit from Arizona Diamondbacks Ken Kendrick, along with Baxter and Catcher, Chris Snyder, to celebrate the opening of the Arizona Diamondbacks Teen Center. This environment will provide teens ages 13-18 with a safe place, positive programs, and help keep them away from gangs, drugs, and other dangers.

To see a video of this grand opening please click here.

We wish to thank the following Ed Robson Family and Arizona Diamondbacks Teen Center sponsors and donors:

Edward J. Robson Family Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Robson
Arizona Diamondbacks
Mr. and Mrs. Earl (Ken) G. Kendrick
Mr. and Mrs. William Pope

Thank you to all of the volunteers and staff who made the grand opening celebration a huge success!

Many years ago, Clara Lehman bought a home. Since she was very pleased with the home, she decided to buy stock in the company that built and sold her home. Over the years, the stock has increased in value many times.

Clara: This stock was a good investment. I have enjoyed my home and I thought if I like my home, other people would like theirs. Because I was a happy homeowner, I purchased the shares of stock in this homebuilder.

While the stock has gone up in value several times, I am now tired of guessing the market. In the last few years, the stock has gone up and down in value. I think it would be much better to have a good fixed return and not worry about the stock markets.

Clara called her local Boys & Girls Club and discovered that she could receive a return of almost 8%, based upon her age. This fixed payment was in addition to a large income tax deduction. Clara decided to transfer $10,000 of appreciated stock to the Boys & Girls Club.

Clara: I am delighted with my gift annuity. I receive 8% and saved over $1,500 in income taxes. This plan has been great. Best of all, I no longer have to watch the markets go up and down. I now have peace of mind.

If like Clara you would like to make a IRA charitable gift to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix please call (602) 954-8182 or e-mail Brad Kuluris at bkuluris@bgcmp.org.

For basketball superstar Shaquille O’Neal, his local Boys & Girls Club in Newark, New Jersey was a safe, supportive place where he could play basketball, and explore other programs at the Club that would help him learn, make positive choices and become his personal best.

Shaq’s relationship with the Boys & Girls Clubs has continued long after he was a member. In 1998 Shaq pledged $1 million to Boys & Girls Clubs of America to help build technology centers in Clubs Nationwide. He also collaborated with BGCA and Microsoft to create an online safety program for kids.

Shaquille O’Neal’s legacy has grown to include hundreds of tech centers in Clubs, and thousands of young people who have received the tools to bridge the opportunity gap between themselves and kids who have computers at home. Shaq continues to support youth all across the country, and will be serving as the 2009 Honorary Chairman for the BGCMP largest fundraiser of the year, Today’s Kids, Tomorrow’s Stars.

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

January 17
Kids from a variety of branches prepared for the last three months to participate in the Rock and Roll Marathon. As part of their preparations, the kids jogged close to 25 miles in total. Their one mile run on Sunday was their 26th. Close to 80 kids from all branches participated in this event as part of their health and life skills activities.

February 4
A group of 14 teens will convene at the Harry & Sandy Rosenzweig Branch as part of their Teen Leadership Council Meeting. The council is a group of young men and women who have been empowered to plan, organize and implement a teen council in their area to meet the needs of their peers and their community. They are the true ambassadors for teens at the Clubs.

February 21
Youth and Kids of the Year along with an anticipated 1,100 guest will celebrate the achievements of youth and honor Shaquille O'Neal. The event includes a live and a silent auction and is the largest fundraiser for the organization. The night concludes with one youth being named Youth of the Year for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix. The event will take place at the brand new Sheraton Phoenix Downtown.

February 28
A total of 100 girls from all branches of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix will participate in the Smart Girls Conference. The girls, ages 9 -12 will attend the conference at the Swift Kids Branch and will receive additional help from other teens. They will learn about physical and emotional growth, media influence and body image, eating disorders, personal values and social interaction, female victimization (including self defense), and more.

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

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

35TH ANNUAL TASTE 2009
April 26, 2009
Kierland Commons

GLOBAL GALA 2009
May 15, 2009
5th Avenue & Madison Event Center

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

Kid of the Month Ozahria Fisher with FSN Anchor Jody Jackson

Ozahria Fisher is the youngest of three siblings. Ozahria has attended the Harry & Sandy Rosenzweig Boys & Girls Club for three years now and has become a stand-out in athletics and leadership among the members. Most recently, she was voted MVP in our FSN Arizona Basketball League where she was moved up to a higher age division because of her skill level.

Ozahria is also a star at the Clubs in-door soccer league, (Futsal) where she scored an average of two goals a game and made the all-star team.

The newest addition to the Boys & Girls Club sports program was the 1st Tee Tournament where Ozahria placed second. This was the first time she ever picked up a golf club and did an outstanding job. Ozahria has an amazing natural athleticism with any physical activity.

Her leadership and positive attitude makes her a strong role model to the other members of the Club. The Rosenzweig Branch would not be the same place without Ozahria Fisher around! Due to her outstanding character and leadership, we are proud to name Ozahria as the FSN Arizona Character Counts Kid of the Month. Congratulations, Ozahria!

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix is proud to recognize Mike Connelly for his volunteer and community leadership efforts in support of our youth.

Mike is Senior VP and General Manager of Fox Sports Net Arizona. Mike and his FSN Arizona team have embraced the Boys & Girls Clubs and work passionately and diligently to impact youth in our community. From organizing holiday toy drives chairing the Silent Auction committee for Today's Kids, Tomorrow's Stars, to running the Character Counts Program, plus so much more, Mike and FSN Arizona have been instrumental in supporting and impacting thousands of deserving Valley youth.

Thank you so very much for your great leadership and conviction, Mike!