The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix will celebrate the grand opening of the new Swift Kids Branch on October 8th! The Club is in an area of great need located at 6420 West Maryland Avenue, in Glendale!

During the construction, kids have been dreaming about what the Club will look like and soon they'll see the large teen center, computer labs, art room, games rooms, basketball courts, and so much more!

Join us to celebrate this grand opening on October 8th from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Call (602) 954-8182 or email smandy@bgcmp.org

Thank you to the Jerry Moyes Family for all their support and also to the many contributors who helped bring the life changing programs of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix to hundreds of Glendale's kids.

Over 100 young boys and girls received all-new wardrobes just in time for their return to school. Thanks to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix Board of Directors and the support of JCPenney, a National Boys & Girls Club partner, for making this event possible.

Deserving kids received everything from basic items such as socks and shirts to shoes, jackets, and more. The kids also received a backpack full of school supplies to start the school year with everything they will need.

"Thank you so much for picking me and my sister for Back-to-School Shopping, it is a big help to my dad and to us," Zoe

"The best thing about it was is that I got new shoes which I am not wearing today because I am afraid of getting them dirty. I already had to clean them twice. My people were very nice and bought me great things for school and even food," Christian

"Being chosen to go shopping made me feel awesome!", Kayla

Channel 3 was also there to cover all the action. Click here to watch a video segment of the shopping spree. Click here to watch a video from the event.

Gene and Carol White were 55 when they purchased some development land outside of town as an investment. They have owned this property for over 10 years, and were renting the property to an adjacent commercial store for overflow parking.

Gene: We received enough rental income the last few years to pay the taxes.

Carol: We’d now like to sell; however, our tax advisor has told us that there would be a large capital gains tax. We also could use some tax deductions this year.

The good news is that Gene and Carol can use a special trust to receive four very nice benefits, including:

-- Bypass capital gain          -- Increased income
-- Charitable deduction        -- Satisfaction of a gift to the Boys & Girls Club

Gene: We are delighted with our special trust, called a “unitrust”. With our unitrust, we saved about $36,000 in capital gains tax and almost $18,000 in income taxes. That is over $54,000 in tax savings.

Carol: Plus, we increased our income! The land was producing minimal income before, but now we are receiving over $12,000 in income each year.

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.

Did you know that your old clothes and household items can benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix? Swift Charities for Children operates collection receptacles –cute little blue “dollhouses” -- and give a portion of the proceeds to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix!

Unlike most of the used item collection bins you’ll find in retail parking lots, Swift Charities for Children is a non-profit agency –a 100% of their proceeds benefit children’s charities. Next time you’re looking for a recipient for your used items, remember Swift Charities for Children and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix!

Boys & Girls Clubs Day for Kids is Saturday, Sept. 20!

Did you know that unlike most other industrialized nations, the U.S. does not have an official day set aside to honor young people?

Boys & Girls Clubs Day for Kids is a day set a side for adults and kids to spend meaningful time together.

Here in the Valley we are hosting ten free events!

• Warner A. Gabel
• Swift Kids
• I. G. Homes
• Herbert Kieckhefer
• Harry & Sandy Rosenzweig
• Louis & Elizabeth Sands
• Spencer D. & Mary Jane Stewart
• Woodrow C. Scoutten/Tolleson
• Jerry & Helen Wisotsky/Peoria
• Tri-City West/Thornwood

Mark your calendars and be sure to visit www.dayforkids.org for lots of fun ideas that kids and the special grown-ups in their lives can do together.

Each month, the Keystone youth at the Harry & Sandy Rosenzweig Branch Virginia G. Piper teen center participate in two volunteer activities. These activities include a project within their clubhouse, such as tutoring other members and providing homework assistance, or activities outside the club, like cleaning up trash in the community, or this month, serving those who serve others.

On September 11, 2008, to honor the Phoenix Fire Department on the anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center, 15 Keystone youth took pizza, wings and soda to their local Phoenix fire station. They served dinner and visited the fire fighters who valiantly serve our community each and every day. The kids hope, in some small way, it helped show just how much they and the community appreciates all that the Phoenix Fire Department does to take care of us!

The list below is a sample of Club activities. For a complete list of activities please contact your nearest Club.

September 20
Kids from all Clubs will participate in a variety of activities and contests in celebration of National Boys & Girls Clubs Day for Kids. The event is open to all kids and their families. For more information please contact your nearest Club.

October 3
The 5th annual State Keystone Conference will take place in the City of Gilbert. Teens from all over Arizona including all BGCMP branches will attend the event to network, participate in community service projects, and more. Keystone Clubs are chartered small group leadership development clubs for young people ages 14-18. Keystoners elect officers, choose their own activities and plan and implement community service projects.

October 8
Swift Kids Branch grand opening celebration! Join the Glendale community in celebrating the grand opening of the newest branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix. The event will take place from 3:30 - 5 p.m. and is open to the general public. Please R.S.V.P. by calling (602) 954-8182 or emailing smandy@bgcmp.org

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

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS DAY FOR KIDS
September 20, 2008
All Clubs will be hosting activities

MAYORS' CHALLENGE GOLF TOURNAMENT
October 4, 2008
Raven Golf Club at Verado

TODAY'S KIDS, TOMORROW'S STARS
February 21, 2009
Arizona Biltmore Resort

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

35TH ANNUAL TASTE 2009
April 26, 2009
Kierland Commons

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

Kid of the Month Anid Laris

Anid Laris is an 11-year-old who has been attending the Tri-City West/Thornwood Boys & Girls Clubs on a daily basis for the past four years. She loves participating in all of the activities as well as visiting with her friends at the Club.

Her favorite area of the Club is the gym where she likes to play volleyball, and participate in the cheerleading squad, and hula-hoop.

A true leader at the Club, Anid loves to help out staff when needed and help younger members with their homework.

Anid recently moved to California with her family but we wanted to recognize her for all her efforts and great character while at the Club. Anid plans on becoming a scientist when she grows up, as she enjoys doing experiments and learning new things.

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

Volunteer Ron Saffer

One Man, Many Years, One Mission.

For nearly 25 years Ron Saffer has been a part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix (BGCMP) family, giving his time and expertise to improve the lives of our kids! Over the many years he has been involved with the BGCMP, Ron has served as a member of the Board of Directors, Foundation Chairman and now Club Investment Chairman. Ron’s dedication and vision have helped shape successful strategies designed to provide our powerful programs to kids who need us the most.

Ron’s many hobbies include golf, particularly when it involves beating the Executive Council at the annual family competition! We are so thankful for all that Ron has accomplished on behalf of the kids of our community!