INSPIRES YOUTH AT DOVE SELF-ESTEEM PROJECT AWARD CEREMONY
On October 23, 2024 the Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest hosted a special graduation ceremony for 60 Club members who completed the Dove Self Esteem Project’s True to Me program. The event was made possible by a partnership between Dove, Unilever, BJ’s Wholesale Club, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
The highlight of the ceremony was a keynote speech by Olympic gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee. A renowned athlete and advocate for youth empowerment, Joyner-Kersee shared her journey and inspired the young participants to pursue their goals and embrace their individuality.
The Olympian graciously took the time to engage with our members. She danced with them and signed their t-shirts, making it a fantastic evening!
Joyner-Kersee, who first learned the values of hard work and determination at a Boys & Girls Club, has been a strong supporter of the organization throughout her career. Her presence at the graduation ceremony served as a powerful reminder of the positive impact that the Boys & Girls Clubs can have on young people's lives.
The Dove Self-Esteem Project is dedicated to helping young people build positive self-esteem by challenging beauty stereotypes and empowering them to embrace their authentic selves. Through programs like True to Me, Dove has reached millions of young people worldwide.
The partnership is a testament to the power of collaboration in making a positive impact on the lives of Club members. By providing opportunities for self-discovery and empowerment, it is helping to create a brighter future for generations to come.
A SPOOKY GOOD TIME AT THE CLUBS
Last month our Clubs were filled with spooky fun!
The Hudson Clubhouse members had a frightfully good time at our movie night and teen night. They watched classic horror films, played spooky games, and enjoyed some delicious Halloween treats.
In the Framingham Clubhouse, members got into the Halloween spirit with a pumpkin-decorating extravaganza. Thanks to the generous donation of pumpkins from Fran’s Flowers in Natick, our members were able to unleash their creativity and transform ordinary pumpkins into spooky masterpieces. We had a pumpkin-carving contest, a pumpkin-painting station, and a spooky photo booth.
We're grateful for the opportunities to create lasting memories and foster community spirit through these engaging activities. As we move into the holiday season, we are planning fun workshops that will continue to bring joy and camaraderie to our clubhouses. Stay tuned for more details!
HOME
DEPOT HOSTS FUN RACE CAR WORKSHOP
We're excited to share that our members had a blast at a recent wood workshop hosted by The Home Depot in Natick!
Forty-five of our young members had the opportunity to build and paint their own race cars, thanks to the generous support of Home Depot. This hands-on experience not only fostered creativity and problem-solving skills but also instilled a love for woodworking and construction.
We extend our sincere gratitude to The Home Depot for their commitment to community engagement and for providing such a fun and educational opportunity for our members.
TJX’S TRADITION FOR OVER A DECADE
The holiday season at Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest was filled with festive fun, thanks to the generous support of TJX. A large group of dedicated TJX employees visited our Framingham Clubhouse to join our members in decorating gingerbread houses.
This heartwarming tradition has been a staple of our partnership with TJX for over a decade. Each year, TJX generously provides the gingerbread houses, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to unleash their creativity and build their own holiday masterpiece.
The event was a resounding success, filled with laughter, joy, and a whole lot of sugar! Our members had a blast decorating their gingerbread houses with colorful candies and frosting. The TJX volunteers were incredibly patient and helpful, guiding the kids through the decorating process and creating a festive and inclusive atmosphere.
We are incredibly grateful to TJX for their continued support and for making the holidays extra special for our members. Their commitment to our mission helps us provide essential programs and services to young people in our community.
80TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION A SUCCESS AT THE GALA
For an impressive 18 years, the Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest has proudly hosted the Annual Gala & Auction. This year's event was even more special, marking the 80th Anniversary of the Clubs. On Thursday, October 17th, at The Verve Hotel in Natick, with the generous support of presenting sponsor TJX Companies, Inc., BGCMW supporters gathered to make a difference for our community's youth. The event was hosted by actress and Club alumna, Larianny Perez.
A complete sell-out weeks after tickets went live, the event featured a vibrant cocktail hour, an online auction, an enticing jewelry pull raffle with a stunning diamond tennis bracelet provided by Wright Jewelry & Design, and an exclusive dinner for 235+ guests.
This year's Annual Gala & Auction was a total success, thanks to the unwavering support of our community and sponsors. We raised an astounding $130,000! It reaffirms our commitment to providing our youth with the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. We are deeply grateful to everyone who played a part in making this event a resounding achievement!
Dominique Jean-Pierre was awarded the Michael C. Sullivan Memorial Award, recognizing his dedication to the Club's youth. Sanofi, a longstanding partner, received the Community Partner for Youth Award, acknowledging their unwavering support. Additionally, Lisa MacDonald was honored with the Cary Corkin Award for her exceptional commitment to the Club's mission and her tireless efforts in organizing the annual MathWorks Car Wash fundraiser.
Congratulations to all award recipients. We truly appreciate your support!
MEET HUDSON CLUB
MEMBER, ISSAC
ISAAC, HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A MEMBER OF THE HUDSON CLUB?
I’ve been coming here since Kindergarten. I’m in 5th grade now.
WHAT DO YOU DO AT THE CLUB?
Most times I go straight to the tech room to get my homework done. Then if I finish my homework early I go to the gym to play volleyball or a gym game. Sometimes I help out at the Keystone Kafe.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING AT THE CLUB?
The tech room is my favorite place to go to at the Club. I love it there I get to do my homework.
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU SHARE ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AT THE CLUB?
The Club is a great place to do activities and do homework with staff that can help. The staff is like my family. They help my family a lot. It’s a great place!
Make your gift a lasting investment by setting up a recurring gift. By setting up a gift on a recurring schedule, charitable giving works on your time and within your budget! Most importantly, it allows you to continually support the needs of our local youth.
WHEN YOU WANT TO GIVE BACK THIS SEASON
As 2024 winds down and you think about giving back to your community, consider the Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest. Charitable donations from friends and neighbors like you make a big impact on the programs and services that BGCMW can offer to members.
When you give, it’s not just our youth who benefit. Donors who choose to support our work to provide social, educational, physical and cultural programming for boys and girls in the MetroWest area are joining with a community of people who help shape our future leaders.
Chris and Kim have supported Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest for over 10 years and recently shared insight on why they give. “So many kids in our region need a safe place where they can spend time after school with their peers. We support the Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest because their staff, facilities and programs provide a fun and supportive community for children at low or no cost to their families.”
Support from donors like you makes a tangible difference for the young people who attend our Clubs. For example:
$25 funds one child’s membership for the academic year
$50 covers the cost of art supplies for one month
$220 funds one day of safe transportation to the Club
$100 provides six children an hour with their mentor
$1500 covers eight weeks of summer camp for one child
If you would like to make a tax-exempt donation to BGCMW you can do it online at bgcmetrowest.org. You can also send a check to our administrative office at 169 Pleasant Street, Marlborough, MA 01752. If you have questions about giving to the Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest please contact Marisa Lutz, Director of Resource Development at (508) 485-4912.
It REALLY takes a village.
INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING?
If you are an individual who is looking to volunteer, we encourage you to apply. Pleasevisitourwebsite: www.bgcmetrowest.org/volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community while also gaining valuable experience. By volunteering at one of our Clubhouses, you can help make a positive impact on the lives of young people in MetroWest. Whether you are interested in mentoring, coaching, or simply lending a helping hand, there are many opportunities available. If you are part of a group or organization that is interested in volunteering, you can contact Marisa Lutz to discuss potential options and opportunities.
Groups who are interested in volunteering can reach out to Marisa Lutz at 508-485-4912 or email marisa.lutz@bgcmetrowest.org.
YOU CAN SUPPORT OUR CLUBS BY VISITING THE LINK BELOW OR SCANNING THE QR CODE!
Lowe’s Home Improvement volunteers spent time at the Hudson Clubhouse. They worked hard painting one of our program rooms. They even deep cleaned and organized closets which makes a huge difference. We appreciate your time and effort.
Thank you so much for your hardwork, Lowe’s!
Topo Athletic stepped up to the plate and volunteered their time at the Framingham Club. With a list of tasks ranging from tech center deep cleans to safety upgrades, the teamtackledeachchallenge.Theyorganized storage spaces, applied safety tape to stairs, andevenhauledawaytrash.
Thank you Topo Athletic for tackling all those projects!
Your Donation Makes a Real Difference.
including BGCMW Board members, Dawn Seymour and Kerri Madnick. We are incredibly grateful for the time and energy thesevolunteersdedicatedtoourClub.
Thank you Community Foundation for MetroWest!
The generous support of our donors is what truly fuels our programs and allows us to make a lasting impact on the lives of young people. No matter the size, your donation makes a difference.
Here are some ways you can contribute:
Make a Secure Online Donation: Visit our website at www.bgcmetrowest.org to donate quickly and easily.
Become a Monthly Donor: Your ongoing support provides a dependable foundation for our programs.
Organize a Fundraising Event: Get creative and rally your community to support BGCMW.
In-Kind Donations
If you'd prefer to donate specific items, please contact our individual Clubs directly to inquire about current needs.
At BGCMW, we are incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of our donors. Your generosity allows us to create a safe and enriching space where kids can learn, grow, and thrive.
Together, we can make a difference in the lives of countless children. Donate today and help shape a brighter future for the youth of MetroWest!
MONOGRAM FOODS
LOVES KIDS FOUNDATION
DONATES $10K FOR TRANSPORTATION
We are excited to share that the Monogram Foods Loves Kids Foundation has granted our Framingham Club a generous $10,000 for transportation. This ongoing support has been vital in delivering essential services to our Club members. With these funds, we can maintain reliable and safe transportation, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to participate in all programs.
Safety is a top priority of the Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest. To ensure the safety of our youth and provide access to our programs, we must offer transportation from public schools to the Club every day.
A heartfelt thank you to the Monogram Foods Loves Kids Foundation for their unwavering dedication to our mission. Their support not only eases logistical challenges but also strengthens our efforts to empower and inspire the next generation.
TRANSPORTATION IN NUMBERS
Across our three Clubhouses, we require a minimum of 10 bus routes to accommodate the over 600 members who rely on us each day. A common misconception is that the buses transporting our youth members are part of the public school contract; however, this is not true. BGCMW must secure its own contracts. Our current agreement costs $220 per bus daily, totaling $356,400 for the school year.
Community support plays a vital role in helping us achieve these goals. We are grateful for the continued backing from local businesses, volunteers, and donors, whose generosity helps us bridge the gap between resources and needs. Together, we can ensure that every member has the opportunity to reach their potential.
AVIDIA BANK VOLUNTEERS
BRIGHTEN UP MARLBOROUGH CLUB
We're excited to share that the Avidia Bank Compliance & Security Team recently volunteered their time to give our Marlborough Clubhouse a much-needed makeover. They rolled up their sleeves and got to work, painting vibrant murals and sprucinguptheplayground.
These creative contributions not only beautify the Club but also promote upliftingmessagesforourmembers.
We're incredibly grateful to the Avidia Bank team for their hard work and commitment to making a positive impact on our community.
