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Join us for the Boys & Girls Club of Elgin’s
Education & Enrichment Center
First Birthday Party
Wednesday, June 3rd 5:00 - 7:00 pm
355 Dundee Avenue, Elgin, IL
Cocktails and cake will be served
Plus, Our Famous Duck Pluck Kick-Off Event!
Come to buy your ducks at our Birthday Party and win fabulous prizes!
For questions contact Cheryl Wendt at cwendt@foxvalley.net or 847-608-5017 x119
BE GENEROUS - Kids Helping Kids
 When Brady Kirkland sent out invitations for her birthday party she did not ask for gifts for herself. Instead she asked her friends to bring games to donate to the Boys & Girls Club of Elgin. Thanks to Brady for showing us all how to BE generous!
4-1
BE THANKFUL - General Mills Supports our Club
General Mills presented Rose Reinert, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Elgin, with a check for $20,000, for a grant they awarded to our Club! A big thank you to General Mills as they embrace our mission of helping our members BE GREAT.
3-26
BE PROUD of Our Award Winning Club!
 In this day and age, when every dollar counts, it is good to know that when you donate to the Boys & Girls Club of Elgin it is money well spent! The Club recently received two awards for its contribution to the Elgin community and how well it runs as a not-for-profit business.
On March 12th, the Club received an Elgin Image Award from the City of Elgin’s Image Advisory Commission for the new Education & Enrichment Center that opened on Dundee Avenue in June of 2008. Through this new 15,000 square foot facility, the Club is able to support the needs of over 1,200 children. By staying in the neighborhood, near the children that need the Club most, the Boys & Girls Club of Elgin “has significantly improved the image of our community.”
On March 25th, the Club received a 2009 Annual Award for Business Excellence from the Business Ledger as a Notable Not-For-Profit. The award was given to the Boys & Girls Club of Elgin because it is an “organization that has a significant community impact and affects numerous lives.”
Members of the Club were excited to see the shiny glass awards and a few were picked to pose with Rose Reinert, Executive Director of The Boys & Girls Club of Elgin. Even though they may not realize how important the Club is to the community, they know that for them it is a safe place where they can choose to BE GREAT.
3-25
Our Events Will BE Even More Special with Maggi Hertel Joining Our Team!
Maggi starts on March 30th as our new Special Events Coordinator. Maggi is a self-proclaimed organizer and list maker, which will be a perfect fit for us! She comes with a culinary background and lots of experience coordinating catering events.
March 23-27, 2009
Club Hours 12:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Monday- BE Proud
Wear the BGC Colors and show your support for Boys & Girls Club of Elgin
Tuesday- BE Relaxed
Wear your best Pajamas for Pajama Day
Wednesday- BE Wacky
Crazy Hair Day
Thursday- BE Educated
Show your school spirit and wear your school colors
Friday- BE Historical
Back in time Day
3-16
BE THANKFUL - Comcast Supports Boys & Girls Club of Elgin with Grant
The Comcast Foundation presented the Boys & Girls Club of Elgin with a $15,000 grant to purchase education supplies to support the Project Learn education program. This program is also funded in part by the United Way of Elgin. Senator Michael Noland and State Representative Keith Farnham stopped by to visit the Education & Enrichment Center on Dundee Avenue and thank Maria Castro from Comcast in person for their continued support of the Boys & Girls Club of Elgin. Some Club members were excited to meet and pose with their elected officials in the Club’s Technology Center, which is also sponsored by Comcast, during the check presentation.
3-13
BE PROUD - The Boys & Girls Club of Elgin Honored With City of Elgin’s Image Award
On Thursday, March 12, 2009 The Boys & Girls Club of Elgin received a 2008 Elgin Image Award for our new facility! We share this honor with every Board member, volunteer, staff member and donor who all worked so hard to make our vision a reality. Working together with the City of Elgin to serve those who need us most is the way we will continue to help our members BE GREAT!
2-27
BE INTRODUCED - Welcome our New Addition
The Boys & Girls Club of Elgin is pleased to announce Cheryl Wendt, owner of FASTSIGNS, Carpentersville, with her husband for over 10 years, as the new Director of Development & Marketing!
Cheryl is well known at the Boys & Girls Club, and has been a volunteer for them for over 5 years. She has been a member of the annual Duck Race cabinet and chaired the event for 2 years, along with other fundraising efforts. “We are excited to have her join the team! She is familiar with the mission, the community and has dedication that is hard to find,” said Rose Reinert, Executive Director.
FASTSIGNS, Carpentersville is still thriving and Cheryl will continue to be an owner, just not involved in the day to day workings. “I know my husband, Chris, is hoping for a silent partner now, but I am not sure if I will be able to do that! I am actually very lucky to have such a supportive husband and business partner. He will take on a lot more responsibility so I can take this new exciting path.”
2-19
BE INSPIRED - Celebrating Leaders
On Friday, January 30th, the Boys & Girls Club of Elgin held its annual Distinguished Citizens Dinner highlighting area leaders within the community. For the fourth year in a row, the organization held its event at the Marriott in Hoffman Estates. This year, the event welcomed over 300 people, the most ever, for an evening of dinner and celebration.
The organization recognizes various individuals and corporations for their commitment to service within the Elgin area. The organization would again like to recognize those individuals listed below:
Marie Yearman Volunteer of the Year Award- Kay Nowicki
Sponsored by Comcast
2008 Distinguished Corporate Volunteer Award- David Kujawa, Country Financial
2008 Distinguished Citizen – Kim Gilmore, Gilmore Marketing Concepts
Sponsored by Lamp Incorporated
2008 Distinguished Corporate Citizen – Unilever
Sponsored by Shales McNutt Construction
2008 Staff member of the Year- Ginny Godfrey
2008 Founders awards – Linda Evans & Anna Culver
2008 Marisa Martinez Youth of the Year – Gustavo Diaz
Sponsored by Elgin Breakfast Rotary
1-20
Club Teens Give Thanks
Club members took part in the Dr. Martin Luther King Day of Service. This national service event provides us with a unique opportunity to celebrate and commemorate Dr. King’s legacy. This year, members baked cookies and made cookie baskets for local service men and women. They dropped off these baskets at the Police Department, Fire Department and local hospitals.
1-14
Annual Meeting brings Together Club Leaders
The Club held its Third Annual Meeting to vote in officers, renew board terms, and approve auxiliary board. The organization held a lunch at the NEW Education & Enrichment Center located at 355 Dundee Avenue and invited its auxiliary board to sit down and celebrate a great year. This annual meeting, underwritten by Comcast, was a time for the board of directors to meet some of the volunteers who sit on the auxiliary board. This event was extra special this year because of the accomplishments in 2008 including the grand opening of the new facility and the organization’s fifteen year anniversary.
The organization recognized long-time board member Mike Anderson, Anderson Associates, Dr. Phyllis Folarin, Achievement Solutions, and Wendy Carlson, DSM Desotech as they left the board. Despite the departure, they are all remaining involved as auxiliary board members.
Dr. Martin Luther King Day of Service
Club members will be taking part of the Dr. Martin Luther King Day of Service on Monday, January 19, 2009. This national service event provides us with a unique opportunity to celebrate and commemorate Dr. King’s legacy. This year, teen members will be preparing cookie baskets which will be delivered to local service men and women such as the Police Department, Fire Department, the local hospitals, and the Mayor of Elgin.
Club members will also perform in the community’s Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at the Hemmens on Sunday.
12-22
Now, More than Ever
Daily causal conversations often consist of much more than just the weather. The state of the economy is on everyone’s mind; however, it is impacting everyone in different ways- some more gravely than others. In a recent informal survey conducted with Club families, we found that several parents had recently lost their jobs, and many have had to take on extra hours. Read about one of our families that was highlighted in The Courier News this past Sunday, and learn about how these tough times are effecting them. http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/news/1342237,3_1_EL21_A1ECONOMY_S1.articlelunch.
A Happy Holidays-
The Boys & Girls Club of Elgin was able to make its members’ holidays a little brighter with the help of various companies that donated toys. On Friday, December 19th, the Club hosted its annual Holiday Party in which it distributed gifts to all of its members. Santa, played by board member Mitch Esterino, handed out gifts that were provided by Carson Pirie Scott “Give Back, Give Joy” holiday trees, Smiles for Life Dental, Dean Lodding, DDS & Honda Financial Services. We would like to thank everyone who helped make this day special!
12-17
Teen Members Feed the Need-
Members of the Boys & Girls Club of Elgin Ellis Middle School Site are taking a stance and helping combat hunger in their community, but taking part in the Dosomething.org “Feed the Need” campaign. “Feed the Need” campaign, sponsored by Dosomething.org., is the largest youth-led food drive in the nation. The Torch Club recognizes that within the Elgin community there are high demands on food pantries. In order to do something, and help, the Torch Club members have not only challenged themselves, but looked into their school to challenge their peers to increase the amount of food gathered. Working with teachers, school administration and Club staff, the Torch Club members have created a competition between grade cores to see who can collect the most food, with the winning team getting a pizza party during lunch.
Kids helping Kids in Time of Need
Members of the Boys & Girls Club of Elgin's Torch Club at the Ellis Middle School site will be donating towels and washcloth gift baskets for clients of the Larkin Center. Torch Club members will deliver these gift baskets to the Larkin Center on Thursday, December 18th. The money used to purchase these towels and washcloths were raised at a recent skate night that Torch Club hosted at Mainstreet USA. After reviewing the Larkin Center’s wish list, and learning more about who they serve, members agreed to use the money to purchase items for gift baskets. .
12-1-08
Club Selected as Partner for Elgin Symphony Orchestra
This Saturday, December 6th, 90 Club members and their families will attend the Elgin Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Showcase being held at the Sears Centre. For the first time, the Club was selected as the ESO’s partner agency to take part in this wonderful event. For many of our families, this will be the first exposure to the theater and the symphony. Thank you to the ESO!
Giving Thanks
The Boys & Girls Club of Elgin did its part to help some Club families have a great holiday weekend. The Club was able to provide 25 families with a turkey, thanks to a local donor who has given turkeys to the Club for over five years. Thanks to the Sears Holding Associate Gospel Choir, 20 Club families received gift cards to Jewel Osco as well.
11-6-08
Gospelfest – Breaking Records
For the twelfth year, Gospelfest was held at Bethesda Church of God in Christ to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Elgin on Saturday, November 1. The event was sponsored by Country Insurance Financial, and included various local groups including Larkin’s Family of Chicago, choirs and praise dancers. This year, thanks to the generosity of many, and a matching gift, the event raised $5,000! A special thank you to Velma Sept for her continued hard work on this event!
15 Years Going Strong
Join us for our 15th Anniversary Celebration on Monday, November 10th at our NEW Education & Enrichment Center, 355 Dundee Avenue. Stop in from 3:00-6:00 p.m. for a tour and some cake, and meet some of our staff & members!
10-23-08
Boys & Girls Club Day for Kids
Boys & Girls Club of Elgin is teeing up to celebrate “Boys & Girls Clubs Day for Kids,” (BGC Day for Kids) a major annual family event highlighting the value of meaningful time between caring adults and children. In Elgin, BGC Day for Kids will be celebrated with parents and kids at the Boys & Girls Club of Elgin’s NEW Education &Enrichment Center located at 355 Dundee Avenue on Friday, October 24th from 3:00-6:00 pm
This event will include a Fall Festival sponsored by GE Capital Solutions, health screenings and IL Children Identifications program for families to participate in. Please stop by to take part in celebrating kids!
We have 260 Homework Assignments- We Need You!
The Club is in need of volunteers to assist within their Project Learn and POWER Hour homework time. Each day, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. over 260 young people sit down to do homework, and when finished, learn through fun educational challenges. The Club is committed to ensuring that all of these young people can succeed, and need more hands and hearts to help them complete homework. If you are interested in volunteering, or know someone who is, call Keavy Dixson, 847-608-5017, 115!
9-22-08
Mnemonic Rhythm Lends its Beat to Learning
The Boys & Girls Club of Elgin staff always try new ways to making learning fun. Through the Project Learn program, sponsored by the United Way of Elgin, members are provided the opportunity to build their vocabulary through Spelling Wizards. Each week members are tested and pre-tested on a set of words that are selected from the U-46 District Curriculum Road Map for their specific grade level. Throughout the week, members practice their words through a variety of methods. Staff member, Marisa Henderson, lead her group this week in a fun way of learning. By using mnemonic rhythm, members were assisted in remembering their spelling words!
We have 260 Homework Assignments- We Need You!
The Club is in need of volunteers to assist within their Project Learn and POWER Hour homework time. Each day, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. over 260 young people sit down to do homework, and when finished, learn through fun educational challenges. The Club is committed to ensuring that all of these young people can succeed, and need more hands and hearts to help them complete homework. If you are interested in volunteering, or know someone who is, call Keavy Dixson, 847-608-5017, 115!
7-8-08
Education & Enrichment Center Opens its Doors
June was a monumental month as the Boys & Girls Club of Elgin opened its doors to its new 15,000 square foot Education & Enrichment Center located at 355 Dundee Avenue. The building was formally dedicated on June 27th and opened to the community for a flag pole dedication and community day on June 28th.
 
The entire project would never have been possible without the commitment, dedication and generosity of countless community members, foundations and businesses. If you were unable to make it to see the building, call for a tour today!
 
Homework Helpers Program Kicks Off
The Boys & Girls Club of Elgin is in need of volunteers anytime between 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at all of its sites to assist with homework during the POWER Hour homework program. Each day there are close to 200 youth who are finishing homework during the POWER Hour program. In order to ensure that members receive the necessary attention, we need more volunteers. To get more information about becoming a volunteer, please contact, Keavy Dixson at 847-608-5017, ext 2. or kdixson@foxvalley.net
Need additional services?
The Boys & Girls Club of Elgin is a proud member of the United Way of Elgin. If you are in need of additional social services, please go to the United Way website and view the services provided by other member agencies. |
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