Circle 25

We won't lie. We love the donations that roll in with a lot of 0's behind the first digit. And we KNOW that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is due to  see what we are doing any day now and give 25-gajillion dollars.

The reality is that we are a small non-profit serving several rural communities. We would LOVE the multi-million dollar home run, but we realize that we need the support of the community to allow us to serve the 1,500 kids each day that we do as an organization.

That is why we came up with the Circle 25 program.
For just a $25 recurring payment on your credit card, securely through Capital One, you can help us change lives.

Think about it by skipping McDonalds or one of your lattes once per week, you can give a child an opportunity at a Great Future. And if we were to get 100 - just 100 new donors involved with this - we could open the site in Daingerfield, upgrade our equipment in Hallsville, or lower the price in Jefferson. With your help, we can give kids hope and opportunity throughout East Texas.

For more information, please call the Club at (903) 935-2030 or check out our webpage or  Our giving societies.

Sylvan Learning Center

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Pines has partnered with Sylvan Learning Center - Longview.

Give your kids the “Math Edge” as Sylvan Learning Center comes to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Pines  - Hallsville Unit.

Regularly $200, but for our Hallsville Club Kids just $95 for EIGHT Math Edge sessions. Please visit our Hallsville Unit to  sign up. Space is limited so it is first come, first served.

www.BeGreatHallsville.com                                                                 (903) 935-2030

Jr YOTY

THIS POST WAS SCHEDULED TO DROP RIGHT AFTER THANKSGIVING AND WE JUST NOTICED THAT IT DIDN'T. TIMELY? NO. IMPORTANT AND RELEVANT? YES.

The Northeast Texas Professional Association of Boys & Girls Clubs was proud to host the fourth annual Jr. Youth of the Year competition in Marshall at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Pines. Fifteen kids competed from all over East Texas representing the Boys & Girls Club of Gregg County, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Rusk County, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Deep East Texas, and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Pines. Competitors were randomly separated into three rooms with the highest score from each room advancing to the final table based on essays that they previously wrote and interviews conducted by three judges per room. The kids ranged in age from eight years old to 12 years old. In two of the three rooms, just one point decided who was advancing to the final table.

In the end, last year’s runner up, Sydney Moses from Nacogdoches was the event’s winner. Second and third places went to Chloe Jones of Marshall-Price T. Young, and Shelby Armstrong of Jefferson.

Sydney received a $150 gift card, Chloe a $100 gift card, and Shelby a $50 gift card to go along with their trophies.

As said by the moderator before the final table was announced, “Regardless of the fact that it is a competition, it is really hard to use the word ‘winner’ because all of these kids are amazing. Let’s just say that these are the ones advancing.”, before announcing Chloe, Shelby, and Sydney.

About the Jr. Youth of the Year:

Established in 1947, Youth of the Year is BGCA’s premier recognition program for Club members, promoting service to Club, community and family; academic success; strong moral character; life goals; and poise and public speaking ability. The North East Texas Professional Association realized that our preteens deserved recognition and cold use the preparation for the youth of the Year, thus the Jr. Youth of the Year was created. Now in our fourth year, the Jr. Youth of the Year has grown to showcase the amazing kids and stories that are held within the walls of the Boys & Girls Clubs throughout East Texas.

Merry Men

MERRY MEN!

Once again, the Hallsville Unit of the Boys & Girls Clubs will be selling Merry Men this Holiday season with all proceeds going to the Hallsville Club.

The Merry Men stand 6" tall and have LED lights within them to keep it glowing all season long.

Merry Men are available for just $3 apiece or two for $5. You can pick up your Merry Men at the following locations:

North Elementary: Ask for Ms. Nixon

Hallsville Intermediate: Ask for Ms. Juban or Ms. Meissner

Hallsville Jr. High: Ask for Ms. Slaten

Hallsville Club: Ask for Ms. Brandy.

2014 Holiday Hours

The Club will maintain the following hours during the holiday season at the Carlile Unit in Marshall only - all other sited will be closed:

Thanksgiving Break
Closed (the gym floors get redone and the poly that is put on makes it tough for adults to breathe - worse for kids).
Staff will be available through email.


Christmas Break:
Open 12/22, 12/23, 12/29, 12/30, 1/5, 1/6.
Closed 12/24-12/28
Closed 12/31-1/2

We will serve kids on the open days for Christmas break with the following caveats:

• We must have at least 20 kids signed up.
• The fee for all days must be prepaid.
• The cost is $10 per day if you are a current Club Member and $20 per day if you are not.
• The hours will be 7:45-5:30 each day, lunch is required.

Great Futures in Hallsville

http://www.BeGreatHallsville.com

Great Futures in Steel Country

http://www.BeGreatSteelCountry.com

Great Futures in Jefferson

http://www.BeGreatJefferson.com

Great Futures in East Texas

GREAT FUTURES CAMPAIGN!

The following is a press release from BGCA regarding our Great Futures Campaign. The idea is to recognize the need for SOMETHING for our kids after the bell rings as well. The Boys & Girls Clubs proposes to be that solution.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America Launches Great Futures Campaign to Address Crisis Facing Kids

Campaign "redefines the opportunity equation" by elevating role of out-of-school time

ATLANTA (July 31, 2014) – America's kids are in crisis. Our nation's state of poor academic performance, obesity, drug use, and youth-related violence are cause for alarm and national action. A key component of the solution is out-of-school time. Yet every day, 15 million kids (1 in 4) leave school with no place to go, putting them at risk of being unsupervised, unguided and unsafe¹. During the summer, an alarming 43 million (3 out of 4) kids in America lack access to summer learning programs², increasing their risk of learning loss and putting them at a disadvantage before the school year starts..
Today, Boys & Girls Clubs of America launches the Great Futures Campaign to call attention to the crisis facing kids and "redefine the opportunity equation" by elevating the role of out-of-school time in reversing these negative trends. The Great Futures Campaign, the Campaign for America's kids, will mobilize the nation in support of after-school and summer programs that tackle these issues to inspire and empower more youth toward success.
"At Boys & Girls Clubs, we believe that every young person in America deserves a great future and that ensuring a safe, productive place for them to spend out-of-school time is a vital, yet overlooked, factor," said Jim Clark, President and CEO for BGCA. "As the nation prepares to go back to school, we want to ensure that after school is part of the discussion because School + Out-of-School = Great Futures. We're launching the Great Futures Campaign to galvanize the nation in support of out-of-school time programs to change the future for our kids and our country."
Addressing the Crisis Facing Kids
The Campaign is a response to the issues facing youth and the country:

• Today's generation is estimated to be worse off than their parents³, the first in America's history
• Our nation's graduation rate ranks 22nd among 28 countries⁴
• 3 out of 10 kids are obese or overweight⁵
• 1 in 5 American kids lives in poverty⁶

National economic implications include as much as $159 billion in lost taxes and higher government expenditures over the lifetimes of those who fail to graduate each year⁷. Healthcare costs to treat issues related to childhood obesity total some $14.1 billion annually⁸, and states spend an average of $7.1 million a day for youth in juvenile justice facilities⁹.
To address these issues, Boys & Girls Clubs of America offers a variety of programs and resources in the areas of education, health and nutrition, and character and leadership development, at its more than 4,100 Clubs nationwide. Through the Campaign, the organization will grow the impact of its programs by reaching more youth through increased membership and attendance, and building the capacity of Clubs to provide a world-class experience for kids. BGCA will also develop new programs to close the achievement gap for kids most in need. It will expand programs like Summer Brain Gain to prevent summer learning loss, enhance STEM programs to nurture 21st century skills and deploy a robust teen engagement strategy to ensure more young adults are on track to graduate from high school, college- or career-ready.
School + Out-of-School = Great Futures "Research shows that out-of-school time programs work. Kids who attend after-school and summer programs have better attendance, improved behavior, higher grades and test scores¹⁰. The same is true for Club kids. In fact, 57% of Boys & Girls Club alumni say the Club saved their life¹¹," said Clark. "We see living proof of the impact of out-of-school time every day. But it's time to do more. It's time to drive transformational change for the young people and communities served by Clubs."
BGCA's vision is that all Club members graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship, and leading a healthy lifestyle. The Campaign represents a strategic step in realizing this vision by achieving the following outcomes:

• Globally Competitive Graduates: By 2018, Clubs will help 1.4 million teens stay on track to graduate from high school; and 70% of Club seniors will be college bound. The power of Club teens on track to graduate by 2018: an estimated $8 billion in economic impact to the U.S.
• 21^st Century Leaders: By 2018, 1.2 million Club teens will volunteer at least 6 million hours, resulting in a minimum $70 million economic impact in our communities.
• Healthier Generation: By 2018, Club youth will participate in 4 billion hours of physical activity, and Clubs will serve more than 500 million meals or snacks to young people in need.

Galvanizing the Nation in Support of Kids
"We're issuing a call to action to the country to join us in changing America's future by opening the door for kids during out-of-school time," said Clark. "Through the Campaign, we're convening public, private and nonprofit partners to address the crisis this generation is facing and drive an impact agenda to ensure success is within reach for every child. We are grateful to the many legacy partners and philanthropists who have stepped up early to support the Campaign with transformational commitments that will fuel this critical work. Together, we are creating more great futures for kids."
Founding Great Futures Partners who have joined the Campaign for the launch with historic commitments include: The Coca-Cola Company; Deerbrook Charitable Trust; Disney; Taco Bell Foundation for Teens; Toyota; The Wallace Foundation; WellPoint Foundation; Robert W. Woodruff Foundation; and University of Phoenix.
Several philanthropists and business leaders have also joined the Campaign, including Founding Great Futures Philanthropists Colette and Larry Young, President and CEO of Dr Pepper Snapple Group and Club alum, as well as music moguls Timothy (Timbaland) and Monique Mosley and their Always Believing Foundation. Today, the Mosleys are issuing a #GreatFutures $1 Million Match Challenge to inspire the public and their peers in the entertainment, corporate and philanthropic communities, to take action and support Boys & Girls Clubs.
Premier Media Partners Comcast & NBC Universal and Disney have joined the campaign, alongside 20 additional media partners, to provide extensive in-kind support, including donated media, talent and other resources.
"Through the Great Futures Campaign, we are raising awareness of the critical issues facing kids today, and issuing a call to action to support Clubs in their service to millions of youth every year," said Clark. "Please visit GreatFutures.org to find a Club in your community and to support the campaign. Every one of us can make a real, tangible difference for kids and start them on a path to a great future."
For more information about the Great Futures Campaign and our supporters, visitgreatfutures.org or #GreatFutures.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,100 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at http://www.bgca.org/facebook andhttp://bgca.org/twitter.

Calling All Coaches

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Pines does sports in Marshall, lots of them. We serve 1,200 kids right now.

In the spring we started Small Side Futbol (spring soccer) because a few parents asked us. We were expecting a quaint league of 60-70 kids, not 250. Not 250 with 65% new to the Club!!

We also weren't expecting Pop Warner to go away. We did abut 175 in football to their 90-ish. That's 265 kids needing a football home.

And then you count the parents who are concerned for their kid's safety and want them to participate in flag football...

The bottom line is that we need coaches in a big way. If you have had an inkling to try or you know a little bit about a particular sport, we would love to have you.

I would encourage you to first read our "So you want to coach" piece. We want dedicated coaches that will encourage, teach, and want to win - but realize that winning is not the only thing. As we always say, it is not our job to get your kid into the NFL. It is our job to make them want to play again next year.

BONUS DAYS ARE HERE

Realize that we have 13, soon to be 16, sites. Getting these sites ready for the school year is a task, which is why we close Adventure Club in early August.

We had a single-parent casually mention to us that they have to use all their vacation to watch their kid until school starts.

That was troubling.

We always say that we are there 90% for the kids and 10% for the working parents.

This year we are going to host BONUS DAYS. We will remain open from August 11-20, which should basically leave parents two days, rather than three weeks, to fend for themselves. We will maintain the same summer hours of 7:30-5:30 in Marshall and 7:00-6:00 is Hallsville and Waskom.

While we are not trying to get extra money from anyone, but know that this is an unbudgeted expense, so the cost will be $70. We get a lot out of our staff, but with rent to pay, "free" isn't something that they can readily do.

We need about 60 kids signed up between all three sites, and we already have several, to make this happen. To sign up, please call the Club by July 31, 2014.

Be sure to tell your story

Recently, I received a call from a long-time donor. They wanted me to meet someone. Of course, I said "just send him over."

My visitor ran a tutoring service and wanted to engage our kids. He said that our donor told him our sports are top of the line but our educational opportunities are lacking. I was asked by my visitor "what do you do on the education-side?"

Now I wasn't offended, because I was acutely aware of our less-visible-but-definitely-as-impactful-as-sports numbers. We do a good job with the old smarticles. What troubled me is that this long time donor didn't know our successes. 

How could a guy that has bee a part of the Club as long as I have not know this? I have a big mouth, right? I regularly tell our story. How was this missed? Our goal is to get the word out that we are more than just a gym. We love our sports, but we offer opportunities in character and leadership, the arts, technology, and career development for kids. We do sports very well, but that is not all that we are about. Its just the most visible part. 

On a side note, since 2005 we have had one regular Club kid that has not graduated high school... one. This same kid has come back as a 22 year old and asked us to help him get through the GED. We have a partnership with ETBU (thanks to the departed Dr. Emberton and Blair Prevost) that helps us find Education Majors who can offer tutoring those teens that need help, we do Power Hour (homework help) every day, we take college trips at no expense to them...we do education not with shiny new uniforms and cool names like "The Falcons", but it is certainly in our repertoire.

To finish the story, I did tell our visitor that we would love to partner up with him in the fall since we love opportunity for our kids and he agreed that this would be good to discuss further. But he closed with "it sounds like you don't need to, though."

I am glad he noticed.

In the Top 10

Annually, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America gives out 10 Growth and Impact awards. It is generally known among BGCA circles that these are the top 10 Clubs out of the 4,200 in the world. 

We are currently a 2013 Growth and Impact Award winner. Now I am a self proclaimed marketing guru, but it was pointed out to me that I am not shouting this from the rooftops enough.

So here you go "THIS CLUB ROCKS IT BIG TIME AND WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO YOUR KIDS!"

 In being a Growth and Impact Award winner, not only are we in the .0023nd percentile, but we were #1 in the Southwest region. Dallas? Behind us. Denver? Back Seat. Little Rock? Albuquerque? Houston? Austin? I remember seeing them a while back when we passed them...

I am just kidding. I am certainly not gloating as I know every one of those Directors and they have been instrumental in my growth as an Exec as well as being able to utilize their knowledge to the Big Pines' advantage. 

I want everyone to know that we have a pretty good thing going for the kids in East Texas. They are getting enrichment from this Club in a lot of areas from education, career skills, leadership, fun, just to name a few. 

According to BGCA standards, we are doing something right and we are proud of that! We are changing lives in East Texas.

And by the way, we recently submitted our most recent numbers...and they are better than last years!

Notice of Intent to Submit: Marshall ISD intends to submit a continuation application for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant. The application will be available for public review after the submission date of June 3, 2014 at 5 p.m. 

GATEWAY GIVES BACK TO THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE BIG PINES

Gateway Tire has generously partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Pines in an effort to help the kids of East Texas as part of their Gateway Gives Back program.

Throughout the month of May, Gateway tire will donate $3 from every oil change on Tuesday to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Pines to support their work with children. These dates would be May 6, 13, 20, and 27.

“This is fantastic!” said Executive Director Bryan Partee. “My favorite fund raisers are the ones that we don’t expect. As a small Club, Gateway is really helping us make an impact with the kids that need us most.If you need an oil change, save it until a Tuesday!”

About Gateway Tire

Gateway Tire & Service Center is a pillar of the community. Gateway Tire & Service Center is a leader in offering name brand tires, wheels, auto repair and brake services. Our goal is to focus on customer service. It is the foundation of our business. Gateway Tire & Service Center employs a well-trained staff specializing in the sale and installation of passenger car, performance or SUV tires. Custom wheels are available at Gateway Tire & Service Center. Special wheels and rims compliment any tire or customer vehicle. Complete under-car services, such as oil changes, brakes, shocks, struts, alignment for both foreign and domestic vehicles are readily available at competitive prices.

About the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Pines

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Pines is in its 20^th year serving kids in East Texas. It began as the Boys & Girls Club of Harrison County in a single site to now having 13 sites in three counties serving 1,500 kids per day. The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Pines was one of 10, 2013-14 winners of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s prestigious Growth and Impact Awards. The main unit is located in the Carlile Teen Center in Marshall with sites serving Elysian Fields, Hallsville, Jefferson, and Waskom. For more information, please visit www.BeGreatEasttexas.com or call (903) 935-2030.

Club Supports the MISD School Bond

Marshall’s Largest Non-Profit Youth Development Organization in Support of MISD Bond

MARSHALL, TEXAS—The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Pines (BGCBP) has announced its full support of the Marshall Independent School District’s May 10 bond election. According to an announcement made by Board Chairman Chris Clement, BGBCP board members voted at their March 25 meeting to publicly back the $150 million bond to upgrade Marshall ISD educational campuses.   

Chairman Clement said that it was critical for the BGCBP to show its public support in this way as Marshall ISD stands as one of the Club’s most vital community partners.

“The Club believes that if our mission is to ‘enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens,’ then we cannot do so without the partnership of our local schools,” Clement said.  “We cannot support our young people without ensuring they are afforded healthy, effective environments for their learning and growth, whether that takes place during the school day or after the bell rings.”

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Pines serve approximately 1,500 kids per day at their 13 primarily school-based sites throughout Harrison and Marion Counties. The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Pines is also a contractual partner with the MISD through the ACE grant.

“At Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Pines, we are committed daily to improving the lives of our area youth by providing a positive place for them to go each day after school. In doing so, we cannot neglect the environment where they spend most of their day.  We see it as a holistic approach to the development of the potential of all our kids when we support the improvement of the facilities being used to educate them,” said Bryan Partee, BGCBP Executive Director.

“We are encouraging the families that we serve to get out and vote for our kids, vote for this bond, and vote for the future of Marshall,” Partee added.

Early voting begins Monday, April 28 through Tuesday, May 6 and Election Day is Saturday, May 10.

for more information about the bond issue, please [click here].

###

Little Contest

In an effort to have a centralized information system for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Pines, we thought we would have a little contest to drive people to our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Here is the deal. Like us on Facebook: One entry. Follow us on Twitter: One more entry. A winner will be drawn from any one liking our Facebook Page or following us on Twitter and as a gift, we will give you a $250 Walmart Gift Card. The details are below, but it seems pretty easy to us!

                      

[Twitter - Click Here]                                                       [Facebook Click here]

DETAILS

1. Like the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Pines Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/BeGreatEastTexas) and/or follow us on Twitter (https://twitter.com/BGCBigPines) , and your name will be put in a hopper for each one. 
2. Contest runs from 2/4/14-3/2/14.
3. A "thank you gift" will be drawn on 3/3/14, which will be a $250 Walmart gift card.
4. To be eligible, you must be a part of our service area, primarily Gregg, Harrison, Marion, and Panola Counties.
5. If you have already liked or followed, you will be eligible as well. 

2013 Youth of the Year named

GREAT FUTURES START HERE: EXCEPTIONAL MARSHALL TEEN NAMED BOYS & GIRLS CLUB YOUTH OF THE YEAR

Ashantra Davis to Now Vie for State Title and Scholarship

Marshall, Texas, January 14, 2014 – Selected among several local outstanding youth, Ashantra Davis will compete against other Boys & Girls Club members for the Texas Youth of the Year title and a $1,000 college scholarship from Tupperware Brands Corporation. As the new Youth of the Year for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Pines, 17-year old Ashantra is a true example of an extraordinary young woman recognized by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) for her sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community. Ashantra will also earn a package from the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Pines that has a value of $3,000. Part of that money will be used to purchase a new outfit for the next round and an Ipad and the balance will go into a CD for her college education.

Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. As BGCA’s premier youth recognition program, Youth of the Year recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as overcoming personal challenges and obstacles. Youth of the Year encourages Club members to reach their full potential by achieving academic success, leading healthy lifestyles and contributing to their communities. Youth of the Year honorees are shining examples and living proof that great futures start at Boys & Girls Clubs.

“We had a fantastic competition with four outstanding young ladies. We have been a part of Ashantra’s life since she was little. To see her grow up as a volunteer in this community and represent our Club as the Youth of the Year is just a natural progression for someone of her caliber.” Said Executive Director, Bryan Partee.

Ashantra has been a Club kid for almost 10 years. She is active throughout the Club as a volunteer and serves as President of the Keystone Club. Keystone is a service-oriented, teen leadership program. The Maverick Keystone Club was involved enough to be recognized as a participant in the 2014 Keystone Club Summit in Anaheim, California. Ashantra also attends Childress Deliverance Temple where she sings praise and worship, is involved with the youth, and is a praise dancer.

Ashantra currently attends Marshall High School. She maintains A’s and B’s in school and is the cheerleading manager and the girls’ varsity basketball manager.

If Ashantra wins at the state competition, she will compete for the title of Southwest Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 scholarship from Tupperware Brands, the recognition program’s national sponsor. Five regional winners will advance to Washington, D.C., in September 2013, to compete for the title of BGCA’s National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year will receive an additional scholarship of up to $50,000 from The Rick and Susan Goings Foundation and will have the opportunity to meet with the President of the United States in the White House.

Top 10 Club

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Pines in Marshall, Texas is making a difference to the kids in East Texas; now it’s efforts are recognized. At the annual Leadership Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Pines received the prestigious Growth and Impact Award presented to them by BGCA President, Jim Clark.

Each year, the national organization, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, gives out 10  Growth and Impact awards to clubs throughout the world. The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Pines received one of the 10 awards and had the highest growth and impact of any Boys & Girls Club in the Southwest Region. This region includes Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma,  Montana,  Texas,  and Wyoming.

“You always hear about the bigger Boys & Girls Clubs,  New York City, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, serving several thousand kids each day. To be a rural club and recognized by the national offices is an honor. It also really validates to the community, my board of directors, and my  staff that we are changing lives. I am proud of what we are doing not just in Marshall, but Elysian Fields, Hallsville, Jefferson, and Waskom. ” Said Executive Director Bryan Partee.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Pines currently serves 1,500 kids each day out of 13 sites. The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Pines focuses their energies on Academic Success, Good Character & Citizenship, and Healthy Lifestyles.