Boys & Girls Club of Seward
October 2009
The Boys & Girls Club of the Kenai Peninsula – which includes HOMER –KENAI – NIKISKI – SELDOVIA – SOLDOTNA – SEWARD KENAI TEEN CENTER, are not scheduled to close. It is only through diligent efforts of the ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF, as well as the INDIVIDUAL CLUB DIRECTORS AND THEIR STAFF and the BOARD OF DIRECTORS, that we have been able to weather this financial crisis brought about by reduced federal (OJP) funding.
During the past several years it has been very challenging to structure a budget around Federal funding when the amount of such funds are not known or received until well into our fiscal year (July through June). This year has been especially difficult. During the past few years the Administrative Staff and the Board have been working towards more secure, reliable funding sources throughout the Kenai Peninsula and the State of Alaska. Grants through State Agencies with participation from local governments have been successfully secured. In addition, outright support has been received from cities throughout the Kenai Peninsula.
MORE LOCAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT must be secured if we are to maintain the clubs in various communities. We partner with the school district in several areas, by conducting our programs in the schools. We have Corporate and Business support, United Way support, and several fund raising events throughout the year. The Staff and Board are constantly looking for new ways to fund our programs.
For a low fee of $20.00 PER YEAR, Boys & Girls Clubs are a safe environment, provides life enhancing programs, supervised homework (staff often corroborates with teachers on homework assignments) and activities. Our purpose is to make clubs open to all children. We are well aware of many families facing economic difficulties, however in order to maintain stability and assure parents of a safe place for their children, we must have individual financial support.
NOVEMBER 14TH (MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND PLAN TO ATTEND) MAIN AUCTION FUNDRAISER WITH DINNER – TICKETS $35. TABLE FOR 8-$400
Please plan to attend because we need the funds more this year, in order to keep our clubs open.
Margret Anderson
907-224-5571
E-Mail Address – maand@arctic.net
Making A Difference….
We all live in a turbulent world these days. As adults, we are bombarded on all sides with every-day family and work stress, as well as larger-scale issues such as the economy, war and political polarization. The real world can be a downright scary place. However, as I look all around me, I see dozens of kids smiling, playing and bouncing from one activity to another, seemingly oblivious to the world right outside the doors of the Club. The
resilience and optimism of these young people could quite possibly be the greatest of our natural resources.
Of course, our oasis for kids would not be a reality without four incredible people. First, I cannot express how proud I am of our dedicated and caring staff: day in and day out, Tamara Bachman, Samantha Villa, Kim Anderson, and Christian Ann Fleming as they step into the Club and make one of the hardest jobs possible look easy.
Second, we have a terrific team of focused and committed Resource Committee Members and parents under the exceptional leadership of Margaret Anderson, and Executive Officer, Brenda Alhberg. This group of highly committed leaders is helping to usher in a new era for our Club. Third, we rely on the dozens of wonderful volunteers who give countless hours of their valuable time to help us best serve our members every year. Veronica, Dutch, Jordan, and Chelsey four middle and high school students assist our staff due to their strong character and leadership potential. They do a marvelous job and play a major role in the success of our club. Also, we have two wonderful adults
Susan St.Amand, and Grandma JJ volunteer once a week and give us their time unselfishly. And finally, without the generous financial support of our donors in the community, and as far away as California our doors would not be able to open every day to our members in the first place!
The club provides a safe, caring, enriching and motivating learning environment, so that our members will become independent, high achieving, self fulfilled, life-long learners.
Our members learn about Character & Leadership, Health & Life Skills, the Arts, Sports, Fitness, Recreation, and Education and Career Development. One day these fine young people will be respectful, responsible, leaders, who will contribute positively to the world.
I encourage you to stop by the Club and have one of our amazing members give you a tour if you have not already done so, and I promise you will not be disappointed.
Do you want to give back to your community, but with so many good causes out there, where do you start? There are plenty of great volunteer opportunities right here in Seward. There are lots of ways to get involved in the causes that mean the most to you, and many ways of helping—even if you only have an hour a month. It’s the greatest feeling in the world knowing you’re part of the solution.
If you don’t know where to start, I invite you to join us at the Boys & Girls Club and make a DIFFERENCE in the lives of many young children.
Deb Bond, Director
Boys & Girls Club
DBond@positiveplaceforkids.com
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