Donation bins are a MULTI-MILLION dollar industry in Arizona--but the lion’s share of revenue goes to for-profit companies outside of Arizona.

Swift Charities for Children is a non-profit bin item collector that supports children’s programs with 100% of the profit. Other bin collectors are for-profit businesses that make a very small contribution to a charity to use their name on the collection bin.  It’s hard to imagine, but this business is very lucrative – and right now most of the money is going into someone’s pocket rather than supporting children here in Arizona!

So next time you have that bag of gently used clothing or household items, be sure to find your nearest Swift Charities Collection Bin. Click here for locations.

Ten-year-old Kimberley Castillo, a budding artist from our Spencer D. & Mary Jane Stewart Branch, took home top honors in Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Fine Arts Contest in June. Of the thousands of entries submitted from Boys & Girls Clubs around the country, Kimberley’s “Jazzy/Saxy” mixed-media masterpiece was awarded first place!

Her winning work of art is on display in at the National Fine Arts Exhibit in Washington, D.C. and will also tour the country during various Boys & Girls Clubs conferences throughout the year. Congratulations Kimberly!

To view the Fine Arts Gallery click here.

Recently, the Swift Kids Branch held a Science Camp turning science into fun! Each area of the Club hosted a different interactive experiment.

Kids experimented with soda and mints, fake edible blood, exploding colors and exercise science. The day culminated with a visit from the University of Arizona Physics Factory, who performed amazing science experiments that had the kids excited to learn more. 

When the temperatures are this hot, one way to stay cool and have fun is reading. On June 25th, nearly 100 Club members participated in the Reading is Fundamental activity day sponsored by Kappa Kappa Gamma at the Arizona Biltmore Resort.

Volunteers from Reading is Fundamental and Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority members read stories, coordinated craft activities, and served refreshments to our 6, 7, and 8 year old members. The kids had a great time and each received two books to take home with them.

These are some of the activities that take place in our Clubs. For more information about activities at a Club near you, call 602-954-8182.

July 16
With school just around the corner, 96 Club members have been invited to take part in the Legacy Back-To-School Clothing drive on Friday, July 16th.  Deserving members in need will get to pick out new clothes, shoes, and school supplies to start the year off right. A special thanks to BHHS Legacy Foundation and Legacy Connection for inviting our members to participate. 

July 21
The Dog Days of summer can lead to lazy days on the couch. To help keep kids moving, 10 members from each Club will attend the Summer Fitness Event to be held at the Foothills Recreation Center in Glendale on July 21st from 11am to 2pm. 

There will be a rock wall climbing, swimming, wallyball, and other fun activities implemented by Club staff who will be assisted by University of Phoenix volunteers. The kids who will also learn about health and nutrition will be fueled with healthy snacks, generously donated by Trader Joe's.

July 23
On July 23rd Club members at the Harry & Sandy Rosenzweig Branch will be participating in the Maricopa County Youth Tobacco Prevention program. Kids will be learning the dangers of tobacco and get tips on how to stand up to peer pressure.  The goal is to keep kids “smoke free” and healthy for a lifetime.

There are a variety of other activities going on throughout the month. Click here to find the Club nearest you.

Board of Directors Back-to-School Shopping
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
JCPenny Paradise Valley Mall
5:00pm/5:30pm-8:00pm

If you are a board member and would like to sign up for the Back-to-School shopping event, please email smandy@bgcmp.org or call 602-954-8182.

Alumni Golf Tournament
Join the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix Alumni Association for a golf event to be remembered!

Sunday, October 10
The Arizona Grand Golf Resort
7:30 am Shotgun
Earlybird special: $99 per player by September 10th/$125 per player after September 10th
Tournament fee includes: golf cart, range balls, and lunch.

To register for this event or for more information email mckinn21@cox.net or call 602-306-1221

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

Eight –year-old Sebastian Quintana has been a member of the Club for 2 years, joining shortly after the Swift Kids Branch opened.  He will be in 4th grade next year and his favorite subject is math.  When he comes to the Club, his favorite area is the gym because he loves to play basketball and other league sports throughout the year. 

Sebastian says the Club feels like a second home and the most important thing he's learned from being at the Club is how to be respectful of others and himself.  Around the Club, Sebastian loves to help other kids. He especially enjoys helping staff in the gym coach sports games. Sebastian displays great character and has become a wonderful example for other Club members to follow. We are lucky to have him at our Club!

To learn more about Sebastian click here

Are you ready to plan your will or trust? We would like to send you a free Wills Kit. This helpful information may enable you to avoid an accidental disinheritance. Request our free Wills Kit and use it to record your family information and your estate distribution plans.

To request your free Wills Kit or to learn more about our planned giving program, email to bkuluris@bgcmp.org or call 602-954-8182.