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FAMILY INVOLVEMENT

BGC MOULTRIE

HERALD DECEMBER 2010 FALL 2010

Upcoming Events 2011 Member Registration

begins Dec 1st

Moultrie Christmas Parade Dec 4th

Torch Club Yard Sale Dec 4th

Holiday Camp starts Dec 20th – 29th

Trip to Atlanta for MLK Day Parade Jan 17th

Research shows that when adults spend meaningful time with kids, it helps them develop a positive self-image and a

sense of belonging, usefulness and purpose. In fact, research indicates more meaningful time increases learning, while decreasing incidents of childhood obesity, drug and behavior issues. Still, many adults don’t have the time or resources to do as much for the children in their lives as they may want to. So

Boys & Girls Clubs of America created Day for Kids (DFK) to build stronger relationships between adults and children hosting fun family activities across the country.

BGC Moultrie sponsored a Day for Kids event with a Carnival theme. Members and their family were allowed to participate in various activities like: Free-Throw Hoops, Wacky Winners Obstacle Course, Face Painting, and Horse Back Riding just to name a few. The day started with a short program giving the history of DFK and reading the proclamation issued by Mayor McIntosh. As a special incentive for parents to attend with their children, each family in attendance was registered for special family prizes donated by various community businesses. Some of the prizes given away

were gift cards from Home Depot, Lowes, Wal-Mart and Triangle Furniture.

Throughout the event everyone enjoyed music provided by Juan Rodriguez a local DJ. After four full hours of fun, the day’s events ended with a 30-minute dance-a-thon. All children in attendance received free food coupons from McDonald’s and Chick-fil-A. Although Day for Kids is celebrated September 25th, every day should be a day to share a moment, create a memory and make a kid’s day!

DAY FOR KIDS

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DECEMBER 2010 FALL 2010

Boohoo, No Ghost or Goblins at this party, just piles of worms wiggling in whipped cream!!!

Sounds gross! Well the members at Club Moultrie didn't think so. There was tons of fun for all involved at BGC Moultrie’s Fall Harvest Party. Stations like Find the Worm, The Great Grape Escape, Bean Bag Toss, Face Painting, Bobbin’ for Apples and Musical Dots were places of uninhibited fun and uncontrollable laughter. ―I never had this much fun at my last daycare‖, shouted Trevell Anderson as he ran to

wipe his face clean of the whipped cream. To balance the activities and not just have events that focused on winning candy, the staff created stations that were healthy as well as fun: like the grape and apple eating contests. ―We tried to main-tain the history of fall festival yet be conscious of health and safety issues‖, com-mented Ms. Debbie, Program Director. Therefore creating events and that were similar yet safer was a real hit especially with the

parents. Parent Vernita Moore said, ―I was wondering how you all were bobbing for ap-ples, then I saw the wedges in individual bowls and I thought — Now that’s neat‖.

Yet one of the biggest treats of the evening was having all the staff in costume, it was a blast!

HARVEST PARTY 2010

Family and friends were the honored guests at our first Thanksgiv-ing Banquet held for BGC Moultrie’s staff and members. ―This is so nice of you all to give a banquet for the children and their par-ents‖, commented a grandmother who attended the program with her granddaughter.

All family members enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving meal that was served by the staff and a couple of parent volunteers. While some waited for the buffet line to decrease, others made their way to the microphone to ―Tell why they were Thankful this Season‖. The night’s events culminated with the recognition of all the Honor Roll Recipients, Teen of Month, Youth of Month, and other noteworthy award recipients.

THANKSGIVING BANQUET

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DECEMBER 2010 FALL 2010

The Moultrie Fire Department stopped by BGC Moultrie to make sure all our members know “The sound that saves lives”, which was the theme of 2010 National Fire Safety Week. The entire club got involved as Chief Vernon Cooper and a few firefighters captivated the attention of our members, 6 to 10 years of age, with a video of fire safety tips. Our teens and preteens were full of questions as Chief Cooper showed remnants of several house fires in our community.

NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY LOWES DONATION

Hip Hip Hooray for Lowes!!!

No more cleaning black tennis shoe scuff marks down the main hallway thanks to the generosity of Lowes. A couple of really dedicated workers volunteered to give our front lobby and main hallway a total ―face lift‖. Workers from the local Lowes store spent an entire Saturday installing carpet down the full length of the main hall and tile in the front lobby area.

We would like to say a special Thank You to Lowes for ―Helping us build something to-gether”.

Fired up for Success

The Georgia Firebirds, a Semi-Professional football team, dropped in on teen night to give ―some sage words of advice‖ to our teens.

Owner and CEO, Darrin Teals, feels it is paramount for today’s teens to have the right perspective as it relates to pursuing a professional career as an athlete. Players shared the importance of self-respect and the discipline needed to achieve academic success. Teens were encouraged to apply themselves in school and other extra-curricular activities to ensure they have a good resume when applying for col-lege. Teens and players ended the night with a com-petitive game of Ping Pong and a bowl of spaghetti.

Keystone and Torch

Club members are mak-

ing a lasting impact as

they provide helping hands at

Community’s Kitchen lo-

cated on Central Avenue

here in Moultrie. Trinity

Baptist Church serves meals

to the community every

Wednesday night. The teens and pre-teens of BGC Moultrie

joined forces to assist in this awesome service event. ―It is

very encouraging to have young people take the time to come

and assist the church in doing something of this magnitude,

said Sam Coleman, the director of Community Kitchen. Pro-

viding service to the community is a large part of the youth

development strategy within the Boys & Girls Club move-

ment. Members are encouraged to give up a little time of

their own in order to gain much respect from their peers and

to hold fast to the morals and high standards of the club.

COMMUNITY ’S

KITCHEN

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

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EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP

Are you smarter than a Fifth Grader?”

Well, that’s the ques-tion BGC Moultrie’s staff asked the parents and members who attended our first Lights on After School Program.

Over 1 million Americans celebrated the 11th Annual Lights On After School Program. In Georgia, 25% (412,699) of K-12 youth are responsible for taking care of themselves after school. Of all Georgia children not currently enrolled in afterschool programs, 32% (446,450) would be likely to participate IF an afterschool program was available in their community. This is the main reason why BGC Moultrie has made after school care obtainable for all children regardless of financial or social background.

During this year’s program, members and their parents were encouraged to participate in various learning games hosted by club staff. The most popular game this year was, ―Are you Smarter Than A Fifth Grader”? Teams were comprised of a parent and child under the age of 10. Each team selected from the categories of History, Mathematics, Grammar, Science, and BGC Info. Over eight parent-child teams competed and after four intense rounds of questions, Ms. Kahleah Anderson and her mom, Kimberly took home the title, ―Yes, we are smarter than a fifth grader‖.

Kahleah is presently in the fourth grade at Norman Park Elementary. GREAT Job — Kahleah!

LIGHTS ON AFTER SCHOOL

CONGRATULATIONS TO

HONOR ROLL MEMBERS

Honor Roll Excellence (A’s) Scott Hill

Stephen Hill Katera Powell Skyler Jones Janirius Pace Naryan Grier Keleshia Key

Alexis Oglesby Kahleah Anderson

Academic Honor Roll (A&B) Kiara Slaughter

Quandarius Blackwell Billy Stafford

Kamarious Wilson Antonia Yates

Shane Hill Alexis Mathis Genesis Cody Will Jackson

Laquori Harris LaQuandra Hill Tyleb Soloman

Omarian Peterson Kalise Richardson TyAsia McNeal

Donald Key Shakiah Rushing Malijah Jackson Sarah Wiggins

Tyneisha Howard Austin Jamison

Eriyanee Wright Alexis Murray

Academic Honor Roll (Continued)

Merrill Jackson Christopher Ziegler

Abreya Barfield Devante Jackson Artavius Jackson

Quandarria James Teaceseyia Christy

Serita Williams Erica Wright

Andrew Walker Antonio McBurrows

Micah Bridges Dijmon Wheeler Trey Anderson Darius Monts

DeAndria Putnam Desmond Reese Destiny Reese

Rebecca Ziegler Quenterrius McNeil DeMarco Williams

Briann Hatcher Kameron Walden Arianna Ziegler Camari Louis

Mackenzie Powell Quentin Dobson ReaOnica Collier

Tyran Shealey Tonya McBurrows

Tory Ponder Allen Key

Jaquan Willis Nikki Edge

Warren Gibbs

We would like to extend a hearty ―Well Done‖ to all the members that worked extra hard to ensure academic success this semester. Many of these members participate daily in Power Hour, our Homework/Tutoring Program, to get assistance from the homework coaches. However; some members consistently receive good grades due to their disci-plined study habits. Keep up the good work guys, CRCT is right around the corner.

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Joseph Matchett IV

Chief Professional Officer

On September 15, 2010, Boys & Girls Clubs of America announced that after 18 years it has changed its tagline from ― Positive Place for Kids‖ to ― Great Futures Start Here‖. This tagline was derived from the BE GREAT message platform. BGCA feels that this line communicates the totality of the Club experience and its impact on youth, families, and communities. Each word plays a key role in conveying important impressions about Boys & Girls Club: GREAT– Leverages the power of the Be Great. FUTURES - References lives not yet lived; utilizes the aspiration appeal of fulfilling potential. START - Emphasizes the

opportunity to change, even save, young lives; the need is urgent—now is the time to begin. HERE– The club is a physical place, with a specific and special role in the community; the magic happens here. Mr. Evan McElroy, Sr. VP of Marketing & communications for BGCA stated that ― by helping youth achieve academic success, commit to a healthy lifestyle, and demonstrate good character and citizenship, Clubs are uniquely positioned to help ensure great futures for our nation’s young people.‖

BGCA CHANGES ITS TAGLINE!

The Director’s Corner

U pon my arrival at Boys & Girls Clubs of Moultrie\Colquitt County on June 1, 2010 I saw many great things that were taking place with children in this community. The children were excited to embark on great thematic summer program that the club staff did a great job of planning. As a result of great pro-

grams and caring staff, there was an 35% increase in average daily attendance . This excite-ment carried over into the Afterschool program where there was a 40% increase of average daily attendance also, there were well over 11,000 healthy meals and snacks served this year. I would like to mention that this increase in attendance came with a program and membership fee that was affordable to all youth while at the same time creating as since of ownership in the program with the members and parents. Our future plans for service to the kids in this com-munity is to increase performance in the areas of Academic Success, Character and Leadership Development, and Healthy Lifestyles. As we conclude another successful year of service to kids that need us most, we ask that you continue to support your local Boys & Girls Club. Help us help kids. Give today! Through your generous donations Boys & Girls Clubs of Moultrie\Colquitt County can continue to provide life-changing programs and guidance to the children on Moultrie, Colquitt county.

Congratulations to Erica Wright and Mysheia Yates for

their hard work and dedication in becoming Youth of

Month for November 2010. Great members

making bigger strides for brighter futures.

YOUTH OF MONTH

AWARDS FOR NOVEMBER

Erica Wright Teen of Month

Mysheia Yates

Youth of Month

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DECEMBER 2010 FALL 2010

420 West Central Avenue Moultrie, GA 31768

Phone: 229-890-8600 Fax: 229-890-8602

V I S I T U S A T W W W . BG CM CC . C O M

From the Staff

The Herald

We want to offer our most humble thanks to every parent and donor that supported us during this year. Our connec-tion with you and your child is a valuable relationship we treasure. We hope you enjoy the stories in this newsletter and continue to help us make a dif-ference in the lives of Moultrie’s youth.

- Debbie Herring, Program Director

OF MOULTRIE/COQUITT COUNTY

The Board of Directors and the Staff of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Moultrie\Colquitt County, we would like to wish you a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!!!!!

Board of Directors

Mr. George Walker Mr. Jerry Vereen Mr. Larry Franklin Mrs. Myrtis Ndauwuala Mr. Patrick Mobley

Mr. John Carlton, Jr. Mr. Robert Howell Mr. David Durham Mr. David Tyndall Mr. Sonny Presley

Reverend Alfred Jones Mrs. Barbara Jelks Mr. Luke Strong, III Mrs. Crystal Brown Mrs. Camila McLean

Mr. Phillip Thomas