Another vintage newsletter cover...one from 1992, the year of our first Heritage Award Dinner!
Volume 40
Inside... Pages 2-3 Message from the Executive Director Alexandra, 18, shares her interview with Mrs. Robinson! Page 4 Our kids take the medal at our Children's Awards Banquet Page 5 Alumni Homecoming Thank You!
Issue 4
Our summer was relaxing, fun, and absolutely fantastic! Cottage families took vacations and day trips and spent a lot of time just having fun at Home –swimming in the pool, playing volleyball in the gym, or playing foosball in the Rec Room. We took field trips to the Houston Zoo and the Museum of Natural Science, and everyone got a glimpse of the working world by visiting businesses in the community. Our summer intern, Justin, taught our kids to look at the world in new, creative ways, through an internship made possible by the ExxonMobil Community Summer Jobs Program. Thursday nights we all got together for fun and games. Capture the Flag, a photo scavenger hunt, and the campus talent show were our favorites! Volunteers provided community lunches and an ice cream social; other groups gave our kids the opportunity to paint a mural on our Community Life Building and spend the afternoon slipping, sliding, and splashing on inflatable waterslides! Thank you to all of the friends who helped us make this summer so spectacular!
Pages 6-7 Memorials and Honorariums Pages 8-9 Our Growing for the Future capital campaign is complete! Page 10 Join us as we celebrate 40 years at the Heritage Award Dinner!
18806 Roberts Road Hockley, Texas 77447 (281) 351-4976 Fax: (281) 351-4978 info@boysandgirlscountry.org
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Fall 2011
Clockwise from right: Jocelyn, Emma, Taylor, and Olivia race to the front of the pack during the “Goose Game”...Harley rolls the dice and Cottage 6 gets “goosed” back to square one!...Jean Paul fills in a hot air balloon... The beautiful new mural on our Community Life Building!...Layla knows the answer in Education Lab...Crystal reels in the big one!...Kaleigh gets creative with “action painting”...Our kids show off their talents at “A Night in Hockley-wood.” Thanks for an awesome summer!
Message from the Executive Director “A generous man will himself be blessed…” (Proverbs 22:9) After school let out in early June and we celebrated our six graduates, our kids got a chance to visit with their families. They then returned and took their Boys and Girls Country family vacations. Throughout the spring, each of our cottage families had fundraisers to earn money for their vacations together. They grew and sold pots of flowers, had bake sales, held car washes and did all kinds of clever events to raise money for those fun-filled, bonding trips together. Very often, their church groups and sponsor families got involved and lent a hand. The kids and staff loved the trips, universally had fun, took lots of pictures, and my prayers were answered as each family returned safe and free from any harm or negative events.
The Class of 2011!
Faithful readers of this newsletter know that we were having an amazing school year. We ended that school year with a record breaking campus grade point average of 3.34! We know that as the school year winds down, the natural tendency is for kids to wind down in their efforts. Our Teaching Parents and Education staff kept the expectation, the encouragement, and the motivation set to “maximum” and we are so pleased with the results! Every one of our kids passed to the next grade. Every one of our seniors graduated. Nearly 70% of our students made the Honor Roll. Of our 11 cottages, 10 of them had a cottage GPA of 3.1 or better. Our college students also had a record-breaking grade point average of 3.24, and our highest college GPA was Amy’s 3.75 and she was disappointed with that grade! Everyone wants a “good kid” but getting a good kid involves a long series of mini-steps over time. Likewise, education is an ongoing process that involves lots of steps and dedication from all of us. Educators tell us that many children lose ground over the summer because they do not stay challenged and involved in academic matters. We know, though, “If you want to shine, you have to polish.” This summer our Teaching Parents and our Education staff offered a wide variety of activities for our kids. For example, our Education Lab was open 4 days a week. We offered field trips to the Houston Zoo, after studying a week of biology. We offered field trips to the Natural Science Museum, after studying a week of science. One of the most fun activities was a series of field trips to our Board Directors’ offices to see what a “real job” looks like. (The kids don’t think we have “real” jobs!) Another highlight of the summer was our Children’s Awards Banquet. On June 23rd at the beautiful St. Francis Episcopal Church Fine Arts Center, our Boys and Girls Country families were acknowledged for all their accomplishments over the past year. Each of our kids was able to invite guests and many had their families in attendance. The kids were all dressed up and we were (and are) so proud! The Cypress Belles Chapter of the National Charity League helped us host the event with amazing service. Representing all of our graduates, Rebekkah spoke about the opportunities and protection that Boys and Girls Country provided each of them. It’s always a special night! Making the evening even more special, we had our co-founder, Mrs. Jean Robinson in attendance! Mrs. Jean is also the Honoree for this year’s Heritage Dinner, on November 2nd. She personally planted many of the trees on our campus with her husband, T. A. “Tom” Robinson, Jr. Mrs. Jean also named our organization “Boys Country” in 1971, back before our young ladies arrived. Who would You’re invited to take a tour of our Home and learn more about the children we serve – and how your support helps us to raise them. Bring only an open heart and a friend. We’d like to host at least ten people at each of our upcoming sessions:
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A Vision for Children Saturday, October 8 Saturday, November 12 10:00-11:00 am.
Everyone is welcome!
You do not need to RSVP, but if you would like for us to know you’re coming, please visit our website at www.boysandgirlscountry.org and click on "Register Now". You can also find future Vision for Children dates on the site under “Events”.
have thought, 40 years ago this year, that Boys and Girls Country would still be the site where miracles happen with children today? As promised in the last newsletter, I’ve asked one of our most tenured kids to interview Mrs. Jean for this publication. Alexandra (we call her Alex) arrived at Boys and Girls Country in August of 2001, 10 years ago! Alex shared her story at last year’s Heritage Award Dinner before nearly 1,000 attentive guests at the Hilton of the Americas in downtown Houston. She is a senior at Waller High School, an Honor Roll student and the past president of our Normative Leadership Council. Her interview with Mrs. Jean took place in July of this year and you can read it below. Just as the Robinsons did 40 years ago, we work hard to make the kids’ environment, our campus, an inviting, Alex at last year's peaceful, fun place that kids can consider their new home. This past year, due to the generosity of our supporters Heritage Award and our Board of Directors, we were able to “close out” the final phase of our Growing for the Future capital Dinner campaign. This means that we added much needed outdoor lighting, playgrounds, outdoor exercise areas, outdoor basketball courts, and bike storage sheds to the campus. Yet to come is an outdoor chapel and an irrigation system to keep those trees the Robinsons planted alive and healthy for another 40 years. I tell our visitors to the campus that miracles happen here, every day. We not only believe in miracles, we regularly rely on them! We also know that you are a part of those miracles. Without your support, Boys and Girls Country is an idea that would not come to fruition. We pray before every meeting and before every meal and every day we express our gratitude for 40 years’ worth of volunteers, donors, Board Directors and staff! Mrs. Jean frequently tells us no effort or contribution is too small. The whole program started with a $25 donation. Each of you is amazing and we are all very grateful. Bless you for your sacrifice and contribution. “A generous man will himself be blessed….” (Proverbs 22:9)
An Interview with Mrs. T. A. Robinson, Jr. By Alexandra, resident of Boys and Girls Country I had the opportunity to meet with Mrs. Jean Robinson to learn about the history of Boys and Girls Country. I was amazed to hear that Boys and Girls Country started with a donation of only $25! “God dumped this right on Tom because He knew he could do it,” she said. I learned that it started out as an empty rice field, and one Sunday, she and Mr. Robinson spent their afternoon planting trees alongside the main road. She said, “We had no idea how to raise the boys, then God sent us Jack Brewer.” “Brother Jack” became the first Executive Director, and with support from the Robinsons and other friends, they began raising the first group of boys with just three “piece of junk” mobile buildings. “Tom didn’t know one thing about raising children, but he did know how to build, so he went right to work.” They built the T-building, Landis Cottage, and the administration building, which had an office for Ms. Tis, who still works at Boys and Girls Country today! They kept building cottages, and Mrs. Robinson made the houses look and feel like a Home. She made pillows for the couches and beds. She said, “We worked hard, with our money and with our hearts. We didn’t found a children’s home, we built it.” Mr. T. A. "Tom" Robinson
About those early years, Mrs. Robinson says, “We just had to get along, we did the best we could.” Now, many years have passed, and Mrs. Robinson said that one thing has never changed: “God has been the leader of that Home, the sovereign, the motivator, and the provider.” I asked her if there’s anything she would do differently if she could, and she looked at me with a smile and said “Not a thing.” Alex is in the 12th grade. She came to Boys and Girls Country in 2001 when she was eight years old. Next year, she will follow in the footsteps of her two older brothers by joining our College and Career program, where she plans to go to college to study business and fashion merchandising.
Mrs. Robinson in the late ‘90s, sharing the photo of T. A. Robinson which still hangs in the administration building.
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“Growing Up for 40 Years” Children's Awards Banquet This year we had a lot to celebrate at our Children's Awards Banquet! We honored our children and recognized them for their many accomplishments over the past year– everything from academic achievement to perseverance and success in afterschool activities! After 40 years of “growing up” at Boys and Girls Country, we are deeply grateful to friends like you who have supported our Home and made it possible for our children to grow and succeed! A special thank you goes to our friends at St. Francis Episcopal Church for providing the venue, equipment, and wonderful volunteers who prepared a great dinner, and to the Cypress Belles Chapter of the National Charity League, for providing beautiful decorations and centerpieces as well as volunteering to serve the hundreds of guests who came to watch our children receive their awards!
A Honor Roll A/B Honor Roll Alexandra Audrey Benjamin Brianna Ethan Hannah Jared Kaleigh Katelynn Layla Meadow Rebekkah Stephanie
Most Improved Elementary Ka'Tara Wesley Junior High Moneisha High School Jovanni Tiffany
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Alexandria Ashleigh Brandie Brianna Cash Chad Crystal Daniel Denisha Emma Faith Hannah Helen Jacob Jean Paul Jesse Jocelyn John Jorge Kamry Luke Marcellus Marlon Michelle Noah Olivia Sherry Suzanna Taylor Tiffany Xavier
Scholars of the Year for highest grade point averages
Elementary Benjamin Kaleigh Layla Meadow Junior High Jared Olivia Taylor High School Alexandra Bobby Kid's Choice selected by peers for leadership
Crystal Hemi Gerry Lyon for overcoming hard times and maintaining a positive attitude
Diane Residents of the Year From top: Crystal and Hemi were selected by their peers for the Kid's Choice Award... Diane received the Gerry Lyon award, given each year to honor the memory of one of our alumni who persevered through adversity with a grateful heart... Jonathan and Denisha earned Residents of the Year!
for highest overall ratings
Denisha Jonathan
Homecoming In July we held our annual Alumni Homecoming. It was wonderful to see everyone, as always, and we enjoyed the chance to visit and catch up with our kids from years past over some great food. While it was too hot for the usual hayride around campus, the Resident vs. Alumni basketball game kept us on the edge of our seat until the end...when the Residents won! Thanks to our friends from Grey Street at Second Baptist for the barbeque chicken, burgers and hot dogs with all the fixin’s! We can’t wait to see everybody again next year! Below: It was a family reunion for Cottage 7! Mr. Chris and Ms. Michaelea were teaching parents for five years before becoming Program Managers, and they, along with Ms. Mary, former single teaching parent, were delighted to welcome their boys Home. From left, back row: Piero, Andrew, Ms. Mary, Ms. Michaelea, and Mr. Chris. Front row: Cody, Brianna, Ethan, Audrey, Alex, and Johnny.
Left to right from top: Mama and Papa Hill stop by to say hi... Friends from Grey Street grill up a tasty meal...David and his wife enjoy lunch...the Alumni play a great game....Mr. Dave coaches the resident team...Xavier shoots a free throw and Residents win!
We rely on our friends in the community to help us raise our children, and thanks to the generosity of friends like you, we have changed the lives of more than 1,200 children in 40 years! Thank you for partnering with us to give children opportunities to break generational cycles of poverty, abuse, dysfunction, and neglect and become self-sustaining and contributing adults. We'd like to thank the Albert & Ethel Herzstein Foundation and the Newfield Foundation for helping us meet the day-to-day needs of our big family with their generous gift to our Home, and we also want to thank the Kiwanis Foundation of Houston for their gift which helped us purchase a new van for our Cottage 8 family!
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In Memory Of
Received May 1, 2011 - July 31, 2011 Gerry Allen Frank Allen Walter Barlow Tessie Pappas Louis A. Beecheel, Jr. Bill & Marilyn Gillentine Bruce Belin Jack & Carolyn Brewer George Polk, Jr. & family Hellen & Aleksander Bilinski Tom & Patsy Patterson Gail Bird Ronnie & Janet Doyle Alex Bornhauser Larry & Billie Gardner Tommy Brennan Larry & Billie Gardner Charles O’Hara Chandler Ray & Betty Gipson Ken Davenport Victor & Marilyn Baney M.L. & Joyce Gephardt Mr. & Mrs. Jim Hatler John Doyle Jim & Ruby Bloodworth Samye NestlerodeDurrett Paul & Debbie Blackshear Emma Sue Elsenbrook Ray & Lynnette Bartula Mike & Pat Bays Bernard & Ruth Beaman Scott Coleman David Riviere SCM – Key Energy Services
Robert & Shannon Shary Anke Vetter Robert & Cynthia Wolfram Leonard & Ronalee Yeckel Jack Evans Eleanor Evans James Evans Susan Hoisington Dr. & Mrs. Vernon R. Jones Nancy & David Neidhart Harley Franklin A.B. & C.R. Dale Andrew Gillentine Earle & Margie Freeman Tom & Jane Liles Rose Gregson Wayne & Audrey Arnett Bud Hadfield Don DeBolt Mr. & Mrs. Edward Fay Stephen & Madeline Hammerstein Sharon Heuer Kwik Kopy Printing Betty & Bill Lowry Bernard Mack George & Kathryn Martinez Mr. & Mrs. Chuck Norris Jan & Katherine Hankamer Norris Old Spring Properties Andrea Pinter Sterling Bank – Scott McDonald Richard Hansen Robert & Mattie Hansen Sharron Herzog Paul & Debbie Blackshear
Helen Wong Hom Fred & Hedda Meyer “Skip” Janacek Mr. & Mrs. A.C. Von Minden Teddy Klein Mildred Salmon Fred Lester Mr. & Mrs. H.G. Jacobson Alice Lively Gordon & Iris Morris Billy Lundquist W.H. & Phyllis Alexander Norman & Nancy Algert Annunciation Orthodox School Biddies & Families ER & Laverta Bishop Frankin & Connie Brunjes Michele Buchholz Janet Camp Mr. & Mrs. Robert Card Maureen Lassonde Dazzo Michael DeDomenico – NuCO2 Jean & Jim Dickover, Rogers, John & Tyler McSpadden Ann Dowell Michelle Eaton Mary Feldman Fit Club Bunny Halvorson John & Iris Jacobs Larry F. King James E. Lewis, Jr. James E. Lewis, Sr. Jamie Liebl Jeri Lodato Pat & Tavia Mitchell Gregory Mount Steve Palumbo – NuCO2 Carla & Joe Rena Dannette Lewis Ross
Includes gift(s) made to the Boys and Girls Country Endowment Fund.
Fred & Freddie Seale Mary Beth & Andrew Simon Don & Mary Smith Gloria Smith Karen Smith Larry & Grace Smith Victor Staffa Mary & Dan Tablada Robert J. Taylor – NuCO2 Yvonne, Walt & Anna Thome & Gertrude (Aunt Tula) Smith Nolan & Geraldine Ulbricht Larry & Joyce Urban O.T. Marshall Tracy Ellen Pace Earl Martin Bernard & Dorothy Crump Mike Martin Timothy & Belinda Smithwick Tony’s Tavern & Sports Bar Randal B. McDonald, Sr. Janette McDonald Petey McLaughlin Jean Driear Sadie McLaughlin Jean Driear Tracy Mead Owen & Virginia Hale Jane Miller Doris O’Reilly Jo Mitchell Fair & Mary Alice Colvin Rich Mora Lucy Simonton Kaye Stripling John Mosley Don & Belle Dawson Doris O’Reilly Ann Murphrey Virginia Crowson Harriet Nobra Sue Cykowski
Dan & Debra Friedkin Susan Friedkin Donna Moore Sears Retiree Club Bob Snell Rodney O’Meara White Star Steel, Inc. Silvino Ortiz Doyal & Carol Gillespie Plato Pappas Sharyn Sporar Tommy Parker Jim & Ruby Bloodworth Mrs. Meridith Peacock Bill & Dorothy Klotz Charles Pierce III Willie & Orca Willhelm Gloria Pryor Tom & Lesha Elsenbrook Beth Purdom Ronald & Betty Bolian Bill Rae Jan & Katherine Hankamer Norris Eloise Ragsdale Jean Robinson Patsy Ray James & Amanda Windsor Kristen Roberts Tom & Geneva Montgomery Mrs. Sara Rudd Carroll & Sybil Strange Ryan Lee Scanlon Susan Maslanka Connie & Bob Prutting Paula, Alan, Stuart & David Rimel Terry & Vanessa Scanlon Lorna Smith
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In Memory Of
Received May 1, 2011- July 31, 2011 Paul & Jodi Territo Hazel Scharnberg Barry & Hildegarde Trum Ballard Ed & Sydney Trum Busch Juan Carlos & Carla Trum Mercado Joe & Allison Trum Mary Yust Trum
Raymond B. Shankweiler Elizabeth Sturm Sammie Shaw Jack & Carolyn Brewer Faye Sims Judy Higginbotham Cecelia Talley Howard S. Hoover, Jr.
Brick Thompson Mr. & Mrs. John A. Adkins Andrew & Frances Allen David, Cindy, John, Sallie & Molly Balderach Jack & Carolyn Brewer
Ham, Langston & Brezina, L.L.P. Jim & Linda Percell Thelma Thompson Glynn & Johnette Oakes Tom & Patsy Patterson Louis Wernert Marcella Boomer
Linda White George & Caroline Polk Mother of Mrs. Bob Wotring Bunny Halvorson Barbara Zedler John Jennings & Sarah J. MacLellan
In Honor Of
Received May 1, 2011- July 31, 2011 Kim Alexander & Jeff McCoy – Wedding Nancy Laura Gardere Fern Basden Birthday Laura Carleton Don & Bettye Bozman – 50th Wedding Anniversary Tom & Patsy Patterson
Carolyn Brewer – Birthday Lisa Buffaloe Jack Brewer – Birthday Lisa Buffaloe Reg Brockwell – Father’s Day Jennifer Brockwell Wayne & Michele Brown Robert Brown Andrew Crowe – Birthday Nina Choudhary
Norma Demenjian Elsie Mae Vicknair Robin Emmott – Birthday Viona Howe Steve Emmott – Birthday Viona Howe Abigail Frost Jessica Edwards Kay Gallatin – 70th Birthday Tom & Patsy Patterson Al & Nancy Weaver
The House Mothers of Boys and Girls Country Lenore Dunwoody Alyse Jones Raymond & Kathy Komar Katelynn Jones Raymond & Kathy Komar Aiden Leonard – 3rd Birthday Stephen Barefield C.J. Elmore Cynthia Jones
Vernon & Sandra Sealy Travis & Rachel Wright Barb Liebl – Mother’s Day Jamie Liebl Jim Liebl – Father’s Day Jamie Liebl Marti Reese Jessica Edwards
You can make your next tribute gift securely online at www.boysandgirlscountry.org. ....Click on "Donate Now"
Calling All Kroger Shoppers...
Shopping at Randalls?
Did you know that you can help us care for our family as you purchase groceries for yours? Thanks to the Kroger Neighbor to Neighbor Donation Program, you can link your Kroger Plus Card to Boys and Girls Country, and Kroger will donate a percentage of eligible purchases to our Home!
#755 Simply present this barcode, along with your Kroger Plus Card to your cashier upon checkout, then your card will be linked to the program through April 30, 2012!* Download the Kroger Customer Letter, with our barcode, and the Randalls Card from our website! Visit www. boysandgirlscountry.org and click on "Get Involved" and then on "Other Ways to Get Involved." * Please note: If you already enrolled in this program last year, thank you! You will need to re-link your Kroger Plus Card to this new barcode number, which will be good through April 30, 2012.
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Growing for the Future... We are thrilled to announce that we have completed our Growing for the Future capital campaign! The campus improvements that were just a dream for so many years are becoming a reality! This capital campaign is about more than improved facilities… we are investing in the futures of our children…giving them a sense of security and permanence and many new opportunities. In the beautiful Penny Loyd Student Life Center, opened two years ago in August, our kids learn in the first-rate Education Lab, play in the gym and Rec. Room, and so much more! With space for more activities, many friends have given generously of their time and talents to teach our kids everything from art and music to martial arts and dance. Also because of this campaign, our kids can beat the heat in “The Backyard Pool,” and climb, swing, and slide on the three playgrounds installed earlier this year. With the generous support of many donors (see facing page), we will have all of the projects completed over the next year – including a campus chapel, improvements to our baseball/softball fields, and a walking path around the newly-built play areas. Thank you to everyone who has helped make these improvements possible, and to you, for your support helps to make sure that we are able to continue raising kids and using these facilities for another 40 years!
Left column, from top: Building the frame and putting up walls on the Penny Loyd Student Life Center...planting bushes in front of the newly-completed building...Penny and Paul Loyd cut the ribbon in August 2009! Middle column, from top: Marlon loves the tire swing!...Mr. Bob and Frank work on math in the Education Lab...The gym is perfect for parachute games!...In the dance room in the Student Life Center, volunteers teach our kids ballet! Right column, from top: The boys in Cottage 8 “hanging out” on the playground...Macleod gives “The Backyard Pool” a thumbs up!...Mekde’s hand-made card says it all – Thank you to everyone who made this possible!
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Thank you to our donors! For 40 years, capital improvements have helped our campus grow from the first few temporary buildings to the beautiful Home we have today. We are incredibly grateful to the donors who gave to this Growing for the Future capital campaign...giving our children space to learn, play, and grow in beautiful facilities that will last for another 40 years! We thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
$1,000,000 and More The William Stamps Farish Fund The Hamill Foundation Penny & Paul Loyd $500,000 - $999,999 Gatewood Family Foundation Dick Scott $100,000-499,999 Kelly Gene Cook, Sr. Charitable Foundation Elder Fund The Fondren Foundation A Friend of Boys and Girls Country (2) Houston Endowment, Inc. Carolyn & Jack E. Little The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation, Inc. Phillips Family Foundation The Roten Family Schulte Charitable Foundation Randy & Sandy Stilley Scott & Loraine Wegmann $15,000-$99,999 Fern C. Basden Bishop Lifting Products, Inc. Jack & Carolyn Brewer The Calvert Foundation A Friend of Boys and Girls Country Scott & Katherine Galloway The George Foundation Tracy & Randy Hale Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation Bob & Helen Howard Jeff Hughes Robert & Susie Kneppler J. Robert & Melinda Livingston John P. McGovern Foundation
Means Knaus Partners Cynthia & Gregory Pappas The Joe H. and Sue S. Reynolds Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Matthew P. Rotan Chuck & Rita Scianna Second Baptist Church The Simmons Foundation Sterling-Turner Foundation J. R. & Susan Sult Timken Foundation Mr. & Mrs. J. Virgil Waggoner George W. & Amy M. Walters Peter & Marilyn Wardenburg Shirley Wright & Dennis Alexander $15,000 and under Sofia AdroguÊ & Sten Gustafson Bill & Celia Aimone Donna Boyer Martha & John R. Braniff Craig & Elizabeth Bunk Jody Castro Margie & Rick Crump Cesar Diaz A Friend of Boys and Girls Country Greg & Kelly Funderburk Houston Junior Woman’s Club Christine & Smith Howland The Huffington Foundation Insurance Alliance Foundation Fund Loretta Kunkel Jack H. and William M. Light Charitable Trust Herb & Cheryl Listen Rob & Rose McKee Newfield Foundation Donald C. Rhodes Steve & Anne-Laure Stephens Steven & Beth Thompson Leticia & Steve Trauber Union Pacific Foundation Wright Travel Esther Wright
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NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 11163 HOUSTON, TEXAS
Boys and Girls Country of Houston, Inc. 18806 Roberts Road Hockley, Texas 77447 Address Service Requested
Fall
WISH LIST
Our Education Department Needs: 3 or 5-subject notebooks (college rule) TI-Nspire Graphing Calculators Subject dividers Paper towels Construction Paper Manilla paper
Our Clothing Closet Needs: In all sizes, except where indicated: Girls’ and Boys’ Black No-Show Socks Men’s (size S-XXL) Undershirts (t-shirt and sleeveless) Girls’ Training Bras and Women’s Bras (size C & D) Boys' and Men's Dress or Casual Belts (all sizes) Junior Plus Teen Girls' Clothing (size L, XL, XXL) Straight Leg or Skinny Jeans for Junior Girls (size 13-19) Our Commissary Needs: Toilet paper Laundry soap Vegetable oil spray Taco mix Spices Flavored rice Our Cottages Need: Pillows Large plastic leftover containers Laundry baskets Alarm clocks with radio Hand-held vacuum cleaners Hand-held can openers Our Maintenance Department Needs: New or slightly used conventional stoves (white, electric, 2 large & 2 small burners) New under counter ice machines (white) New or slightly used dishwashers (white) Twin-size bed frames and mattresses Full list at www.boysandgirlscountry.org Click on "Donate" and "Fill a Wish List"
Mrs. Robinson and her late husband T. A. “Tom” Robinson, Jr., founded Boys and Girls Country in 1971 (see page 3 for more!) to change the lives of children from families in crisis. At this year’s Heritage Award Dinner, we will celebrate 40 years of raising children by honoring Mrs. Jean Robinson. With fabulous auction items and entertainment from top comedian Bill Engvall, it is sure to be a night to remember! Please join us as we honor Mrs. Robinson and celebrate 40 years of growing up at Boys and Girls Country. Sponsorship opportunities are still available! Please contact Elaine Petranek, Director of Development at 281-351-4976, extension 219, or by email at elaine.petranek@boysandgirlscountry.org. Visit our website at www.heritagegala.org and sign up for updates with news, information on auction items, and more!