For the final newsletter of our 40th Anniversary, another vintage cover, this one from 1991. We hope you've enjoyed these “blasts from the past” as much as we have!
Visit us online at www.boysandgirlscountry.org!
Volume 40, Issue 5, Holiday 2011
Inside... Pages 2-3 Message from the Executive Director You're Invited to A Vision for Children! Thank you!
Waller County Fair! Our kids have been working hard to raise their animals in 4-H. In September, they had a great time showing their projects at the fair...and they did a fantastic job! We would like to thank the Waller County Fair Association and all of our friends who helped make our kids’ successes possible by donating animals, supplies, equipment; volunteering to help our kids; or buying animals at auction, including the Owens family, Cody Dennison, Paul Shollar and his family, R. K. Brangus, and Chuck and Rita Scianna of Sim-Tex, L.P.! Thank you for believing in our kids!
Rabbit Show Results
Page 4 Thank you for an amazing Heritage Award Dinner!
Page 5 We love our volunteers!
Page 7 Memorials and Honorariums Page 8 How you can help this holiday season! Holiday Wish List!
Hemi, Showmanship Hemi, Herdsmanship Nicolas, Showmanship Nicolas, Show
1st 1st 5th 5th
We would like to give a very special thank you to our friends at the Harris County Department of Education’s Cooperative for After-School Enrichment (CASE) for supporting our 4-H program! CASE After-School Initiative is funded in part by Houston Endowment, Inc.
18806 Roberts Road Hockley, Texas 77447 (281) 351-4976 Fax: (281) 351-4978
info@boysandgirlscountry.org
facebook.com/ boysandgirlscountry
Jared, Heavy Weight 2nd Jared, Medium Weight 3rd Sherry, Light Weight 3rd Sherry, Junior Showmanship 3rd Harley Top Hand Award Scramble Heifer Results
www.boysandgirlscountry.org
16th 19th 26th
Goat Show Results
Page 6 Planned Giving Cottage 8 and all our boys are looking sharp!
Donate Online!
Isaias Frank Ashley
From top: Jared with his 2nd place doe... “Top Hand” Harley proudly displays his belt buckle...Frank and Sherry show off their ribbons...and John readies his heifer for the show!
Message from the Executive Director It's hard to believe that the holidays are right around the corner, but we are getting ready! All our kids love the Christmas holidays, and you can actually feel the enthusiasm building. We are grateful for all of the friends who help us make the holidays special for our kids, always remembering that “the reason for the season, is to celebrate the birth of Jesus.” There are many different ways that you can get involved in helping our kids have a Christmas full of love and special memories; see the back cover for more information. We are also keeping busy with all sorts of fun fall activities. As you read in our cover story, our 4-H kids recently showed their animals at the Waller County Fair. There are many lessons to be learned in caring for and raising one of God’s creatures and none of those lessons were wasted on our children. We shouted for each participant and watched in pride as the kids all supported one another. One of the really exciting moments was when Hemi won 1st in Showmanship with his heifer, Peaches and Cream. All the kids worked so hard, and it was gratifying to see them succeed! I love fall at Boys and Girls Country...the days get cooler and every afternoon I can hear our kids practicing their band instruments on their front porch. I love hearing their progress as they go from “making a joyful noise” to playing beautiful music. The dedication and hard work that our kids put into following their passions and interests is so inspiring, and we are grateful to all of our friends in the community who help support our kids’ activities, from music and 4-H to martial arts and dance! Their support always reminds me of the saying, “Those who can, do. Those who can do more are called volunteers.” We are blessed with hundreds of volunteers who assist us in accomplishing our mission, and we could not do our work without their support. The church groups, Rotary clubs, Kiwanis clubs, and corporate groups enable us to get by literally daily. Our volunteers clean, tutor, paint, wrap, shop, sort, plant, teach, cook, play, read, bake, drive and lift for us. We are so grateful! Because of friends like you, we have weathered many ups and downs in our 40 years, and we learn lessons daily about sacrifice, prioritizing, and keeping our child-centered focus. We also know that we have a mission to carry forward and we don’t want to miss a single opportunity to make a difference in the life of any child entrusted to our care. Decades ago, our founders started an Endowment Fund to get us through the constant economic swings. In the beginning, their initial goal was simply to start with a lock box in a downtown Houston bank. In the late 1970s one of the Board Directors, in an attempt to protect our future, suggested starting an Endowment Fund, “when we have some money to put in it!” The first goal was a daunting, $100,000! There was no fanfare, simply people working hard to make it happen. In that spirit, we are revitalizing our efforts to protect our mission for generations of children to come. This year’s Heritage Award Dinner was so special, for a number of reasons. First of all, we celebrated our 40th Anniversary! That’s a rare benchmark for any organization. Next, our Heritage Honoree was our co-founder, Ms.
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.
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A Vision for Children We’d like to host at least 10 people at each of our upcoming sessions: Saturday, January 14 Saturday, February 4 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.”
Jean Robinson. She and her husband, T. A.” Tommy” Robinson, Jr., founded our program 40 years ago, in 1971. Whenever I visit with Ms. Jean, I always ask if she knew that we’d have children on this campus 40 years later. She always tells me, very humbly, they had no idea what they were doing and that “God just plopped this in our laps.” I often tell the story about Mr. Tommy and Ms. Jean scooping up oak saplings from the Buffalo Bayou and replanting them on their hands and knees into the soil of the barren rice fields in Hockley, Texas. Back then, these were the only trees in the area! I’ve always admired their sacrifice and their efforts for our kids, but this fall I finally realized what visionaries they were. One Saturday, I gazed out at the campus for a long while. I watched our kids walk, run, ride, skip and skate from one end of our campus to the other. I thought it had never looked better. The trees our founders had planted were grown and provided shade and shelter and comfort for the kids. It occurred to me then that I finally got my question answered. Mr. Tommy and Ms. Jean didn’t plant these trees for themselves or the kids who lived here then. The saplings provided no value or protection for them. Those trees were planted for us, 40 years later and for all the future generations. Our founders had a long view, a visionary view. They knew we’d be here all these years later and we are here now to benefit from it and to keep moving forward. Thank you for your part in that. Ms. Jean frequently tells me, while standing on these 250 acres of land surrounded by beautiful buildings, to “remember that it all started with a $25 donation.” No contribution is too small and no effort to help our kids is too little. Thank you Ms. Jean and Mr. Tommy! And thank you for helping us continue the vision that Mr. Tommy and Ms. Jean had all those years ago - to raise children in a safe, loving Home. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your generous support, and we wish you and your family a blessed and happy holiday season!
Your generosity goes ‘round and ‘round! We were delighted to welcome our friends from the Texas Oilman’s Charity Invitational Fishing Tournament to our Home a few weeks ago, and we were overjoyed to receive their generous gift, which will allow us to purchase new vans for two of our cottage families! Ms. Elaine and Mr. Lou gratefully accepted this wonderful gift on behalf of our kids. Thank you, friends!
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HeritaGe award Dinner 2010
d8d
This year’s Heritage Award Dinner, held on November 2nd, was an amazing night! We honored Mrs. Jean Robinson, our co-founder (left, with Heritage Award Dinner chairs Sofia Adrogué and Sten Gustafson) and celebrated 40 years of growing up at Boys and Girls Country. The food was fantastic, the auctions exciting, and comedian Bill Engvall left the crowd in stitches! Thank you to everyone who made this year's Heritage Award Dinner a grand success, from our planning committee and volunteers to our underwriters, auction bidders, and everyone who made a pledge or personal donation! The Heritage Award Dinner raises critical funds for the care of our children, and we are grateful to all of you for making the evening a spectacular success! We especially thank our underwriters who made the event possible!
BoyS anD GiRLS CounTRy
Fourth Decade Mrs. T. A. Robinson, Jr. Chuck & Rita Scianna/ Sim-Tex, L.P.
Merchant's Choice Payment Solutions
Third Decade Cheryl Ballard & Charles E. Jones Kelly Gene Cook, Sr. Charitable Foundation Deutsche Bank/Sofia Adrogué and Sten Gustafson Rodney & NaDean Eads El Paso Corporation Karen & Wade Jones Loyd Family Foundation Penny & Paul Loyd/ Leticia & Steve Trauber National Oilwell Varco Trenegy Incorporated Joanne and Michael Watford Second Decade BMC Software Bowers Foundation Champion Energy Services Ernst & Young, LLP Katherine & Scott Galloway Gatewood Family Foundation (2) Helen & Bob Howard Insperity KPMG, LLP Audrey Moody Ley Marathon Oil Corporation Mirand Response Systems Noble Corporation Mrs. T. A. Robinson, Jr. The Schulte Family Randy & Sandy Stilley Woodforest National Bank/
First Decade A Friend of Boys and Girls Country Bishop Lifting Products Devon Energy Corporation Cherie & Jim Flores Goldman Sachs Grant Thornton LLP Randy & Tracy Hale Jack & Carolyn Little Morgan Stanley The Pierson Foundation/Retired Honorary Lifetime Board Directors RigNet, Inc. Rowan Companies, Inc. Fayez Sarofim & Co. Chuck & Rita Scianna/ Sim-Tex, L.P. (4) Dick Scott Southwestern Energy John & Kriste Sullivan/ The Kirk Edwards Foundation J. R. & Susan Sult Southwestern Energy Linda & David Underwood Cynthia & Mac Walker Loraine & Scott Wegmann (4)
Chris & Kristy Bradshaw and Chris & Christine Transier The Brock Group Craig and Elizabeth Bunk/IBC Bank Complete Production Services Credit Suisse Davis-Lynch Inc. Deloitte Energy XXI Jana & Richard Fant Margaret M. Forgan Jim & Wendy Fryfogle Gables Residential William and Susan Galtney Jack & Wendy Hartsoe Sara and Philip Hawk Hines HTK Consultants, Inc. Harold “Jake” and Rose Jacobson Key Energy Services, Inc. A. John Knapp and Allen Schubert Robert & Susie Kneppler Lakeside Marina/Nancy Brennan Herb & Cheryl Listen The Longmont Group Sheila Lyon Interiors Carolyn & Steve Mafrige/ Elaine & Dick Petranek Elisabeth & Brian McCabe Mark McComiskey & Timothy Day Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Midway Foundation Mirand Response Systems Mustang Nautronix Opportune LLP Cynthia & Gregory Pappas Patterson & Sheridan, LLP Prospector Offshore Drilling
Honoring
Isla and T. R. Reckling III Royce Roberts/Arctic Pipe Inspection Rock Hill Capital Group Mary Jane & Ryan Rodgers Matthew and Elizabeth Rotan The Roten Family Jeremy & Melinda Thigpen Tidewater Inc. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management, Inc. Howard & Alyce Ann Wagner Walter Oil & Gas Corporation Pete & Marilyn Wardenburg Weaver James White John L. Wortham & Son, LP Richard L. Wynne/ Porter Hedges, LLP
Mike and Cindy Gatewood Featuring
Frank Caliendo Save the Date
Donations Anadarko Petroleum Corporation Atwood Oceanics Baker Hughes Foundation Mary Ann Belin Cogent Compensation Partners Ronnie & Lynn Deyo Donna & Cris Gaut Gensler GulfStar Group Latham & Watkins, LLP Laurie & Reed Morian Mark & Jennifer McCollum Robert H. and Patti McLean Kathy & Clay Parker Petrello Family Foundation Stifel Nicolaus Weisel
wednesday, noveMber 3, 2010
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Reception 6:00 PM Founding Leslie Alexander & The Houston Rockets Amegy Bank/Steve Stephens AmerCable Incorporated Erika Bagwell
Dinner 7:00 PM
Hilton oF tHe aMeriCas
1600 Lamar
Special Thanks to: Neos Marketing Texas Business Theatre
Houston, TexasFrom77010 left: The Heritage Singers
brought the house down with their rendition of “Here’s to You Mrs. Robinson,” sung to the tune of the Simon and Garfunkel classic…Meadow charms the crowd and delivers a beautiful Invocation.
We Love Our Volunteers! We know that it truly does take a village to raise a child, and we are blessed with an amazing “village” of friends, supporters, and volunteers who help us provide for the needs of our big family. This year, volunteers made a difference in every area of our campus, including painting and deep-cleaning buildings on campus, sponsoring birthdays and Christmas, holding food drives, helping with filing and data entry, teaching dance or music or martial arts, hosting “Fun Days” for our kids, and so much more!
Just a few of our many wonderful volunteers this year, from left: A volunteer gives Michelle a high-five at the annual basketball clinic...Friends from the Yellow Rose Chapter of the National Charity League help out at Spring Festival...Jean Paul learns piano with Carmen... and the “Over the Hill Gang” cooks up some fantastic barbeque at Spring Festival, a tradition they've kept for more than 30 years!
In August, we held our annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner for all of the friends who have helped us in so many wonderful ways all year long, and we said,
“Thank you for sharing your gifts with us!”
The girls of Cottage 4 got into the spirit of the evening by volunteering to serve our guests! From left: Jocelyn, Helen, Taylor, and Olivia help prepare the meal...Linda serves up refills, and smiles!
Right: June shares her smile with us as our favorite Spring Festival clown each year! Far right: Charles (pictured with his wife) shares his amazing guitar skills with our kids.
From left: Our friends from Cypress TaeKwon-Do teach our kids martial arts...We love our volunteers, and they love their t-shirts!
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Boys and Girls Country Endowment Ensuring the Futures of our Children
We are deeply grateful for all that you do for our Home and our children. Your faithful support helps us meet the daily needs of our children and raise them into successful adults, positively impacting future generations. We could not fulfill our mission to our children without your support. Today, we humbly ask that you consider one question:
“Who will care for the children when you are gone?” The Boys and Girls Country Endowment Fund was established in the '70s as a place where generous gifts could be reinvested and grow to ensure security for our Home and our children. As we celebrate 40 years of service to children, we are reminded just how important these legacy gifts are to our kids....kids who need a safe haven and a place to grow up. A planned gift to the Boys and Girls Country Endowment would help us ensure that our children always have... ...a place to learn
...a place to play
...and a safe place to grow up and just be kids.
If you would like information on making a gift to our Endowment – a gift that will grow and mature along with our children – please contact Elaine Petranek at 281-351-4976, extension 219 or elaine.petranek@boysandgirlscountry.org for more information or visit our new website at www.boysandgirlsendowment.org. Left: Allea, Mekde, Brandie, Kaleigh, and Meadow standing in front of their cottage home.
Lookin’ Sharp!
We love Monique Minton and the rest of our friends at SportClips for giving all of our boys and male teaching parents free haircuts at the SportsClips at Cypress Mill Plaza, Copperfield Village, and Tomball Crossing! The fun atmosphere and friendly staff make it a great experience for our boys every month. Thanks to Monique and all the staff at SportClips for keeping our boys looking sharp! Page 6
The boys of Cottage 8 looking dapper with new haircuts!
In Memory Of
Received August 1, 2011 - October 15, 2011 Henry & Louise Ahrens Kerry & Kathleen Hulse Herb Asel Betty & Bill Beard Rita M. Farmer Bancroft Renee Black Jewel Bassett Judy Higginbotham, Buddy, Nancy, Tom & family Mother of Noelene Birkelo – Garnet Kendrick Ross & Shirley Anderson Beacon Class – Second Baptist Church Cal & Millie Reed John Allen Bonner Wayne & Audrey Arnett Frances Cameron Tom, Kris, Jenny & Corby Dill Ross Carter Ann Dowell Randy Clifton Roland & Judy Adamson AT&T OSP Planning Dept. Eric Bratton Patricia Bratton Terry & Melanie Bratton Al & Karen Brooks Wayne Buss – Simply Computers Heather Chapman Sharon Chapman Jeffrey & Susan Clark Gerald Clifton Cassie Cloud Judy & Charlie Duke Sherri Felzer Wendy Hefer Landmark Resort
David & Mary Ellan Long Jack Ristow Sherlene Terry Jackie Wadsworth & Audrey Divono Mrs. Paul E. Coalson Cal & Millie Reed Kenneth W. Coleman Edgar & Carolyn Reeves Carl Covert, Sr. Edgar & Carolyn Reeves Kenneth John Davenport Alan & E’Lynne Elliott Robin, Eric, Rosie & Jesse Williams Dr. & Mrs. W.R. Wortman, Jr. Ann & Jake Dideon Clovis Kendrick Thomas “Sport” Diehl Ann Dowell Louise Doty Johanna Hornung Kittie Elliott Dennison & Betty Brown Sue Elsenbrook Alabama cousins – Judy, Jean & Jane Friends at Alvarez & Marsal Gail & Joseph Berardino Bill & Linda Cummins Keith & Christine Cummins Everett & Mary Desha Fraternal Order of Eagles Houston Auxiliary #63 Barron & Deborah Green Key Energy Services John & Kari Kime Donald & Lenon Mabe Pulido Family Shirley Semler
Includes gift(s) made to the Boys and Girls Country Endowment Fund
Vianovo – Blaine Bull, Billy Moore, Matthew Dowd, James Taylor Andrew Jackson Evans, Jr. Judy & Mickey Herrmann Vi Faseler Judy Higginbotham Alex Flood John & Alice Flood Luly Flood John & Alice Flood Earl Forman Tom & Jane Liles Mrs. Dottie Ann Goodloe Jean Robinson Don Hamberg Dennis Alexander & Shirley Wright Dean W. Hardy Cheryl & William Ledbetter, Jr. Col. Grady H. Harrison Tom Harrison Elaine Harrison Tom Harrison Sharron Herzog Mike & Carolyn Oevermann & family Bill Kelly Betty & Bill Beard Garnet Kendrick Bill & Betty Beard Mr. & Mrs. Jim Ingram Don & Betty Landis Kenneth & Kristina CliffEvans Rusty Linney John & Beverly Linney Billy Lundquist Jim & Barb Liebl The Mainline Media Group
Denise Lundquist Norman & Nancy Algert Marilyn Hannig Mary Hemken Monte Jones Betty Jordan Jamie Liebl Jim & Barb Liebl The Mainline Media Group Dianne Meyer Joe & Carla Rena Freddie & Fred Seale Walt & Yvonne Thome & Aunt Tula Smith Nolan & Geraldine Ulbricht Les McGuire Daniel & Sandra Poole Tracy Mead Owen & Gini Hale Steven Oder Insperity David Patton Bill & Virgie Harlan Carroll & Sybil Strange Dick Richards Lee & Gladys Sparacino Charles W. Ridenour Thresa Ridenour Kristen Roberts Diane Hartle Bob Rose Jack & Carolyn Little Becca Roth Ross & Shirley Anderson Hazel Scharnberg Janet & Burnie Burner Karen & Ryan Liles Michael Kentor & Marla McClain Denny Scott Ross & Shirley Anderson Cecil & Shirley Bishop
Sheri Sheffield George & Caroline Polk Sonny Sowell III George Polk, Jr. Lola Mae “Lulu” Stigall Staff at Science Resource Center of CFISD Ed Subcliffe Friend of Boys and Girls Country The Gillman Family Houston Automobile Dealers Association McGinnis Motors Brick Thompson Linda & Hugh Landrum Tom & Jane Liles SonShine Class – Tallowood Baptist Church Tammy Mills & all the “girls” at Texas Home Care Partners Mildred Touchet Edgar & Carolyn Reeves John P. Villasenor “Big John” Mike & Jill McDaniel Linda Webb Karen McLaughlin Red Weeks Judy Higginbotham, Buddy, Nancy, Tom & family Donald N. Wilkinson Brenda Booth David Wilkinson E. Maydell Wilkinson & family Richard E. Wilkes Doris O’Reilly Barbara Louise Zedler A.C. & Annazell VonMinden
In Honor Of
August 1, 2011 - October 15, 2011 Beth Brockwell – Birthday Martha White Wayne & Michele Brown Robert Brown A Friend of Boys and Girls Country Dennis Alexander & Shirley Wright Sam Chambers – 90th Birthday Fern Basden
Milton Graves – Birthday Edgar & Carolyn Reeves Sten Gustafson & Sofia Adrogue Kirby & Scott McCool Cynthia Petrello Randy Hale Randy Allen Ray & Lanelle Johnson – 50th Wedding Anniversary Edgar & Carolyn Reeves
Alyse Jones Raymond & Kathy Komar Katelynn Jones Raymond & Kathy Komar Joyce King – Birthday Edgar & Carolyn Reeves Paula Lee Kristy Young Barb Liebl – Birthday Jamie Liebl
Jack Little – Birthday Noble Corporation – officers & employees Bobby Livingston Mr. & Mrs. Steven J. Lindley Baker & Penny McAdams Betty & Jess Tutor Janette McDonald Birthday Betty & Jess tutor A.J. Otte Burlene Otte
You can make your next tribute gift securely online at www.boysandgirlscountry.org...click on "Donate Now"
Wesley Polk – 4th Birthday George & Caroline Polk Jean Robinson Eleanor Hill Danny King Beverly & Staman Ogilvie Matt Rotan Randy Allen Ralph & Lois Shelley – 60th Wedding Anniversary Tom & Patsy Patterson
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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 Change Service Requested
y
a Holid
WISH LIST 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 Junior Plus Teen Girl’s Clothing (size L, XL, XXL) Straight Leg or Skinny Jeans for Junior Girls (size 13-19) Our Commissary Needs: For Holiday Dinners Spiral Hams Stuffing Canned Soup Mashed Potato Mix Cans of Candied Yams Gravy Mix Packets Napkins Foil Ranch Dressing For Holiday Baking Pie Fillings Cookie, Cake, Brownie Mixes Marshmallows Pecans and Nuts Frosting Cupcake Papers Our Cottages Need: Twin-Sized Bed Frames Electric Roaster Ovens Rice Cookers Large Plastic Leftover Containers Laundry Baskets Alarm Clocks with Radio Ironing Boards
Full list at www.boysandgirlscountry.org Click on "Donate" and "Fill a Wish List"
You Can Help to Make Christmas Possible at Boys and Girls Country! All Michelle wants for Christmas is her two front teeth! While her teeth might not grow in by Christmas, there is still plenty of time for you to help us give Michelle and all of our kids a wonderful Christmas! If you would like to help us give our kids a special holiday season, please contact Ginny Hargrave at 281-351-4976, extension 172, or by email at ginny.hargrave@boysandgirlscountry.org.
Boys and Girls Country Christmas Wish List
Gift Cards. We use gift cards all year long to shop for our children’s needs or as rewards for achievements. College and Career Gifts. Even though they’re grown, they’re still “our kids.” Help us create special Christmas memories for our young adults! Holiday Food and Supplies. Check out our wish list for our most-needed items!
Brandie’s smile says it all…thank you for helping make Christmas dreams come true for Brandie, Harley, Wesley, and all of our children!
Make your year-end gift soon...And help us give our children a great start in 2012! Your gift must be postmarked by December 31st in order to count as a tax-deductible donation for 2011! Online gifts must be made by midnight (CST) on December 31st to count for 2011! Make tribute gifts in honor of your loved ones! Your gift will provide for our children all year long! You can make your tribute gift by sending a check or credit card information in the enclosed envelope, making sure to fill out the tribute information on the flap or you can make a secure online tribute gift today at www.boysandgirlscountry. org! Click on “Donate Now” to go to the donation form. For all tribute gifts, we will send a card to notify your loved one and recognize you and your honorees in our next newsletter!