Help make this holiday a happy one for the families of our kids! By adopting a family, you are giving the gift of a happy holiday, and hope for a brighter new year! There are two ways you can help our families.

ADOPT A FAMILY—YOU DO THE SHOPPING: You do the shopping and deliver the items to the family. Club staff will coordinate delivery details with you.

ADOPT A FAMILY—WE DO THE SHOPPING: If you are unable to do the shopping yourself, we can help! You let us know what size family you want to adopt, and we will make the appropriate arrangements. You can help deliver the goodies if you like!

If you would like additional information, please call 602.954.8182 or email sbeekman@bgcmp.org.

Join the BGCMP to celebrate the achievements of ten outstanding youth, as we honor the success, contributions and inspiration of former Club Kid, and 2009 Honorary Chairman, Shaquille O’Neal at the Today’s Kids, Tomorrow’s Stars Event.

As a former Club Kid, basketball superstar Shaquille O’Neal knows first hand how the Clubs impact the lives of the kids in our community. At the Club you can be all that you dream of - a star athlete, successful student and positive role model for others.

The 2009 Today’s Kids, Tomorrow’s Stars event will be held on February 21, 2009. Visit the Stars Web site, www.stars2009.org for more information.

Are you looking for a destination that’s fun for the whole family? Interested in seeing what’s new from the automotive industry? We have opening day tickets and they are yours for FREE!

The Valley Auto Dealers Association invites BGCMP volunteers and donors, and their families to enjoy opening day at the Auto Show on Thursday, November 27, 2008.

Log onto www.AutoShowPhoenix.com/rsvp to sign-up for your FREE Thursday admission tickets, compliments of the Valley Auto Dealers Association. Your tickets will be waiting for you at the Exhibitor Media desk, adjacent to the 5th Street and Washington show entrance.

Can’t attend on Thursday? Visit the official auto show Web site www.AutoShowPhoenix.com to purchase e-tickets at a specially discounted price by using the discount code bgcmp after clicking the “Purchase Tickets Here” link.

National Philanthropy Day, November 15th, is a special day to recognize the great contributions of philanthropy and those active in the not-for-profit community. First held in 1986, National Philanthropy Day celebrates the endless contributions individuals and organizations make to countless causes each year.

In recognition of the 22nd anniversary of National Philanthropy Day, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix would like to take this opportunity to reflect on the meaning of giving back and what charity has made possible.

Definition of Philanthropy
(The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. Fourth Edition)

Phi∙ lan∙ thro∙ py (fi∙ lánthropee)

1. The effort or inclination to increase the well-being of humankind, as by charitable aid or donations.
2. Love of humankind in general.
3. Something, such as an activity or institution, intended to promote human welfare.

Celebrate National Philantropy Day by donating to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix. You can do so NOW, by clicking here. Or For more information on how you can make a difference by making a planned gift, please call (602) 954-8182 or e-mail Brad Kuluris at bkuluris@bgcmp.org.

Computers have become a major part of our daily life at home, the office, and school. More than 250 members from Boys & Girls Clubs across the state of Arizona had an opportunity to explore technology while competing in the 5th annual Techathalon sponsored by AT&T.

The event took place at the brand new Swift Kids Branch and incorporated fun, hands-on, team-based competitions. Kids participating in the Techathalon received instruction and guidance to give them the confidence to command the technological tools shaping our world. Some of the benefits of this educational event are the teamwork and communication skills that youth learn while working together to master skills that will empower their lives.

For more information, please visit www.techathalon.org.

The community sourrunding the Warner A. Gabel Branch recently participated in the "T-Mobile Huddle-Up" event alongside T-mobile volunteers.

"Huddle Up" is T-mobile's community outreach program connecting kids - primarily from single-parent families in high-need, urban communities - to positive people, creating a stronger environment for learning and fun.

The event consisted of a thorough clean-up of all Club areas, the creation of a T-mobile Huddle up Zone, painting murals, building planter benches, and soundproofing the Teen Center's Music Room.

At the conclussion of the event T-mobile presented a $50,000 check to the organization! "The Tower of Gabel" band, the Clubs' very own youth rock band, performed a couple of songs for attending volunteers.

Thank you to T-Mobile for making this experience possible for our kids.

Club kids across the Valley are celebrating and “Be-ing Thankful” together for Thanksgiving! The Clubs are hosting Thanksgiving banquets for Club members and their families. For more information on Thanksgiving celebration activities and times call the Club nearest you.

November 19
Jerry & Helen Wisotsky/Peoria Branch 5:30-7:30pm

November 21
Swift Kids Branch 6:00- 8:00pm
Herbert Kieckhefer Branch 6:00-7:30pm
Harry & Sandy Rosenzweig Branch 6:00-8:00pm
Spencer D. & Mary Jane Stewart Branch 5:30-7:30pm
Woodrow C. Scoutten/Tolleson Branch 5:00- 7:30pm
Tri-City West/Thornwood Branch 6:00-7:30pm

November 24
Louis & Elizabeth Sands Branch 4:30-5:30pm

November 26
I. G. Homes Branch 6:00- 8:00pm
Warner A. Gabel Branch 5:30-7:00pm

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

ED ROBSON FAMILY BRANCH GRAND OPENING
December 3, 2008
Ed Robson Family Branch

TODAY'S KIDS, TOMORROW'S STARS - Honoring Shaquille O'Neal
February 21, 2009

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 Angel Grijalva

Angel Grijalva is a 14-year-old that has been attending the Warner A. Gabel Boys & Girls Clubs for the past five years.

At the Club, Angel has been involved in a variety of programs including the RBI Baseball League, the FSN Arizona Basketball League, and Music Makers. He also participates in the Clubs' Keystone Club where he and a group of teens volunteer to help the Club and in their communities.

Just recently, Angel had his first concert as a member of the Gabel music group "Tower of Gabel" where he performed playing the piano.

As for his long term goals, Angel would like to become a police officer for the City of Phoenix.

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

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix is proud to recognize Mr. Ed Robson & Family for their volunteer and community leadership efforts that have resulted in the Ed Robson Family Boys & Girls Club in the Palomino community.

Mr. Robson served as the chairman of the Kids, Clubs, Opportunities Capital Campaign, spearheading the efforts necesary to open three new Clubs. He also led the efforts to secure the necessary resources to ensure that the Ed Robson Family Club became a reality.

The Ed Robson Family hand prints are everywhere we turn, and we are grateful for their contributions that have impacted kids' lives. And now, with the new Ed Robson Family Branch, they will forever change the lives of over 1,500 deserving children in our community.

We are honored to recognize Mr. Ed Robson as our volunteer of the month for his accomplishments on behalf of the kids of our community!