Awesome Achievements

BGCCC honors Alumni, community contributors with reception

October 1, 2007 - The Boys and Girls Clubs of Collin County has a lot to celebrate; a new gym for the McKinney branch, a new Alumni Association, and record-breaking results from its annual fundraising campaign.

In a reception held on Thursday, September 20, community leaders, business partners and BGCCC Alumni Association members were on hand to honor these achievements and those persons that helped make them possible.

BGCCC board president, Alex Keechle, opened the ceremony by describing the importance of strong, stable support systems for children today.

"Some of us had the support of our parents, some our grandparents, others maybe a coach, pastor, or neighbor. Many didn't have any of these support systems. These are the people who need us most as a child. These are the children we are here for today."

Keechle first recognized supporters of the McKinney gym remodel project that included new Sport Court flooring, new paint and logos, new wall mats, refurbished lighting structures and installation of an electronic score board. Financial supporters for the project were presented with special hand-painted plates created by McKinney branch children themselves.

Cathy Barker, BGCCC director of development, announced record-breaking results of the 2007 One Campaign, the annual fundraiser for the organization to support programs and services throughout the year

"I am pleased to report that not only did we meet the 100% giving goals from both the staff and the board, but we exceeded our annual goal by raising a total of $118,000 in this campaign."

$75,000 of the total amount came from donations by an elite society of Boys and Girls Clubs of America supporters called the Jeremiah Millbank Society. Members of this society will have made a personal gift of $10,000 this year.

"This year, we had six donors at this level with three of these six continuing their commitment in their second year to be Millbanks for two years in a row," Barker said.

The reception culminated with a tearful tribute to 2nd LT. Johnny Craver, a former BGCCC McKinney branch member that died October 23, 2006 while serving in Iraq. Lt. Craver is honored as the inaugural member of the newly formed BGCCC Alumni Association, a group of former club members from branches all across the country that now live or work in the Collin County area.

Craver's wife, Natalie, and three children were on hand to receive a plaque in Lt. Craver's honor. The plaque will remain on display in the McKinney branch to memorialize his contributions to the McKinney Club and his country.

"Johnny will forever be considered a Distinguished Alumni where his story will be told to many generations of children who will come to our doors each year in search of hope and opportunity," Barker said.

The highlight of the evening came from two special BGCCC youth themselves as they gave personal testimonies illustrating the positive impact the BGCCC has had on their lives.

Kristen Walker, 17, of Frisco described a life of abuse from her father as little girl. She now has overcome those obstacles with help from her branch to become a branch leader and future Duke University student.

"Through strong leadership and loving arms of those at my branch, I began to stand on my own," Ms. Walker said. "At my club I was a part of an elite group that taught me how to strive to be the best I can be."

In April 2007, Walker was selected by Major League Baseball - along with only five other youth across the country - to receive their prestigious S.T.A.R. award and a trip to the All-Star game.

"At the BGCCC, everyone cares about me," Ms. Johnson said. "The leadership programs here have taken me to places I never thought I would go, like Washington D.C., Colorado, Mavericks and Cowboys games and more! BGCCC is a life saver to me."

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Collin County (BGCCC) actively influences the lives of more than 3,800 children each year, making the community a better, safer and more productive place for all citizens. Five locations in McKinney, Frisco and Plano provide a variety of programs designed to promote education, healthy lifestyles, career and social skills, improving the lives of thousands of local children and their families. The BGCCC provides daily mentorship from caring, qualified adults after school and during the summer. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the BGCCC has changed the lives of children and teenagers of Collin County for the better since 1968.

top