Boys and Girls Country News Volume 41, Issue 3, Summer 2012
Inside... Page 2 Message from the Executive Director
Introducing...the Class of 2012!
Amy graduated with honors from Sam Houston State University, earning a Bachelor's of Science in Criminal Justice.
Page 3 Good Grades and Good Times! Page 4 A Place at the Children's Table One Big Heart for Our Kids Page 5 Thanks for a great Spring Festival Pages 6-7 Memorials and Honorariums Page 8 Announcing This Year's Heritage Award Dinner Wishes You Can Help Fulfill
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Amy joined our family in 2001, when she was 11 years old. She was a bright, spirited girl who loved to have fun with her friends. She graduated from Waller High School in 2008, and now she is a college graduate! She will return to Sam Houston this fall to begin work on a Master's in Criminal Justice. We are so proud of the radiant young woman that Amy has become, and we know that she will not let anything stop her from making her dreams a reality!
We also celebrated as three of our kids graduated from Waller High School! Alexandra has been in our family since she was eight years old, and
she has grown into an intelligent young woman, ready to serve God in everything. She was a member of the National Honor Society and graduated in the top 10% of her class. Alexandra will be attending University of Texas as a President's Scholar. She also received a scholarship from Cy-Fair Federal Credit Union, a Horatio Alger Scholarship, and a 2001 Gates Millennium Scholarship.
Bobby is a smart young man with a generous heart. He loves sports, and he is an excellent basketball player. When he's2001 not on the court, he enjoys fishing and cooking. He often makes beautiful and delicious cakes for his cottage family! Bobby is a good student, and he recently received a National Math Award. This fall he will be attending Sam Houston State University to study Business. 2010
18806 Roberts Road Hockley, Texas 77447 (281) 351-4976 Fax: (281) 351-4978 info@boysandgirlscountry.org
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www.boysandgirlscountry.org
Frank is a great athelete, and he played varsity football at Waller High School. He has a big personality, and he is loved by everyone. He is a natural leader and, as the oldest young man on campus, the younger residents all look up to him as their "big brother." Frank is going to Lone Star College to work toward becoming a certified Emergency Medical Technician.
Senior potraits courtesy of Teresa Nounou of Nounou Photography.
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Message from the Executive Director “We Are Blessed!” We are able to succeed in our mission because of the blessings found in our partnerships with each of you. That was true 41 years ago when the Robinsons founded Boys Country, and it is true today. One of our Board Directors recently told us that all of his investments have provided disappointing results over the last few years...except for his investment in Boys and Girls Country. “Great things come from great effort.” Our campus population always hovers in the 95%+ capacity range. As you will read in this issue, our kids continue to achieve in the academic arena and are finding a new sense of pride and esteem in their latest efforts. Our staff is stable with little Teaching Parent turnover and that consistency has, in turn, stabilized our kids’ lives. Our three high school graduates who crossed the stage earlier this month are each a miracle in their own right and they have mapped out their own college and career plans. In the last six months we have graduated Jason from Texas Tech and Amy from Sam Houston State! In addition, Amy starts her Master’s Program in Criminal Justice this year. They achieve for the betterment of themselves, their families, and our community. Are we really a good investment? The Better Business Bureau, our yearly financial auditors, and Charity Navigator have rated our fundraising, our money management, and our program outcomes at the highest levels. In February, the Houston Chronicle ran a story on philanthropy. Houston was ranked #2 (Pittsburg was #1) in the “Nation's Most Generous Cities.” In that same section they ran an article on “Houston’s Healthiest Large Charities” and Boys and Girls Country was ranked #1! We strive to be the best stewards possible in effectively utilizing the time, talent and treasure you so generously share with us. As you will read in this issue, your generosity at our Spring Festival set a new record for this 38 year-old tradition. It’s been said, “Worry looks around, sorry looks back, and faith looks up.” Thank you for allowing our children to look up! We are blessed because of you!
Lou Palma
A Vision for Children 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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We’d like to host at least 10 people at each of our upcoming sessions: Saturday July 14th Saturday August 4th 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”.
Good Grades and Good Times We tell our children that being a good student is their "job" and they are great at their job! Our progress in the academic field continues to soar. Grades are not everything, but they help prove to our students that their limits are all self-imposed. As the kids are praised for their grades by their families and all of us, you can see their confidence and self-esteem swell. We are so proud to assist in that! We ended the school year with a record-setting 3.4 campus grade point average! Nine of our Waller ISD students had a 4.0 or higher, and 81% of our children were on the Honor Roll. Like Mr. Lou said, “We are blessed!” In addition to these honors, a few of our kids earned special scholarships to attend summer enrichment camps!
Just a few of our Honor Roll kids at a recent education fellowship. From top: Program Manager, Mr. Malcolm, presented awards to the girls...and Program Manager, Mr. Chris, presented awards to the guys. We'll recognize end of year grades at our Children's Awards Banquet later this month.
From left: Alden will be attending Academic Camp at Prairie View A&M, King won a scholarship from Aurora Picture Show for their film-making camp, and Jean Paul received a scholarship from the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented to attend Badgerdog Creative Writing Camp. In late March we were treated to a very special visit from Roger, “The Rocket,” Clemens. He shared shared a lot about his life and the challenges that he has overcome. He reminded our kids about the importance of a positive attitude, a strong work ethic, and always making the best decisions possible, even when they aren’t the popular decisions. Roger also showed our kids a bit about the art of pitching and played a little ball in the gym. He ended his visit by signing photographs for every kid on campus – and a few of the staff too!
Our juniors and seniors had a great time at Prom this year! Thanks to Giving Gowns for giving our girls the chance to pick out beautiful dresses and to Al's Formal Wear at Willowbrook Mall for helping our guys get dressed to the nines. Left: Our juniors and seniors just before leaving for prom. Everyone looked great and they loved the special gift baskets from "Bible Study Girls" and Schlitterbahn gift sets from Sherry Gremillion and Friends.
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A Place at the Children’s Table Gene and Esther Best have been supporters of Boys and Girls Country since the ‘80s. Esther first became involved through the Ladies Auxiliary, and Gene was right beside her. As faithful monthly donors, they have been making their gifts to the “Children’s Table” in the Endowment. Esther said, “It just seemed the right thing to do – to make sure the children would be fed.” They were delighted to recently learn from us that, over the years, their gifts have endowed two places at the Children’s Table – meaning that two children would have three meals every day at Boys and Girls Country – forever! If you would like to learn more about how you can endow a place at the Children’s Table, please contact Elaine Petranek at 281-351-4976, Gene and Esther ext. 219. joined us at this year's Spring Your endowed gift for the Children's Table will help Festival! ensure that Mekde and all of our children always have a place at the table and plenty of food to eat.
One Big Heart for Our Kids Every Sunday the One Heart Sunday School class at Cy-Fair Christian Church starts by asking, “Judy, do you want to give us a report?” The class is always eager to hear all about the girls in Cottage 3, the cottage they sponsor for birthdays and other needs. Each class ends with prayers for Cottage 3 and Boys and Girls Country. In 2002 the Jim Hughes Sunday School class at Cy-Fair Christian Church came to Boys and Girls Country for a dinner. That night they made their first gift towards a girls’ cottage, and they have given faithfully ever since. Today the One Heart Sunday School class has given more than $30,000.00 for the needs of the girls in Cottage 3. This incredible group continues to show a wealth of love and generosity to our girls. The Cottage 3 girls with their One Heart friends earlier this year.
They became birthday sponsors for Cottage 3 in 2007, and the first birthday they did was for one girl’s 12th birthday. They were surprised when she requested little kid stuff, a piñata and candy—she didn’t know what else a birthday party could be. They have hosted birthday parties for the Cottage 3 girls ever since, first in the cottage and now in the home of either Judy Veale or Doris Scott. One Heart recently began offering spiritual support for our teaching parents. They have supplied Boys and Girls Country staff with two Bible studies, Restore my Heart and Wisdom for Mothers, and they are looking to provide one for Teaching Parent Dads called Wisdom for Fathers. Judy Veale also visits Cottage 3 once a week as a representative of One Heart. She and the girls do devotionals, crafts, or other activities. She has become extremely close with the girls and has commented, “The Sunday school class knows they are supporting my Grandma habit!”
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One Heart's advice to any group that wants to sponsor a cottage? “Come on in, the water’s fine! Call today and ask for a cottage that needs a group to love on them. These children need all the encouragement and support we can give—and we need them, too.”
Once again, Spring Festival was an amazing, record-setting success for our children! We estimate that 3,500 guests visited our campus that day and we raised a net of over $625,000 – an all-time high for this 38 year tradition. On behalf of our Board of Directors, our kids, and all our staff, we want to express our appreciation for your support. We could not do this work without you. Thank you so much, we are blessed!
Title Sponsors
Presenting Sponsors AADE - Houston Chapter The Loyd Charitable Foundation John L. Wortham & Son, LP Sustaining Sponsor El Paso Corporation Gatewood Family Foundation The Schulte Family Supporting Sponsor Ambient Heating and Cooling
The Eads Family Cherie & Jim Flores The Hildebrand Foundation KPMG LLP The Thigpen Family Partner Jeannie & Trey Able Amegy Bank Michael Bennett & Grant Thornton Partners Bishop Lifting Products, Inc. The Calvert Foundation Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital Devon Energy Corporation Scott & Katherine Galloway Al A. Gonsoulin, PHI, Inc. Bob & Helen Howard
Herb & Cheryl Listen Jack & Carolyn Little Marathon Oil Corporation Mark & Jennifer McCollum Bud & Carolyn Patterson Jim & Arlene Payne Family Foundation Matthew & Elizabeth Rotan Schlumberger The Torres Family Leticia & Steve Trauber Pete & Marilyn Wardenburg The Watson Family Foundation Scott & Loraine Wegmann Friend Apollo Global Management Baker Hostetler Cy-Fair Federal Credit Union
Graham Whaling HTK Consultants, Inc. The Kurtz Family Mary Lou Kurtz Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Bryant O'Neal & Tina Jenks Patterson & Sheridan, LLP RigNet, Inc. Dick Scott J. R. & Susan Sult Tex-Trude Jim Tomforde Woodforest National Bank Buddy Allied Realty Tim & Nicole Blaine The Crain Family Lynn & Ronnie Deyo Home Improvement Class IBC Bank Cynthia Oelking George O'Neal The Palma Family Pisklak Orthodonics The Rodgers Family Michelle & Alan Smith Family Fund TSA, Inc. Bob Warren Danny & Emily Weingeist Freddie & Debra Yaggi
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In Memory Of
Received February 11, 2012 - May 25, 2012 Charles Otto Adam Earline North Mother of Wayne Adams Bill & Betty Beard John Aitken Willie & Orca Willhelm Bill Alford Carol Ann & Tom Smith Norma Ruth Hansen Anderberg Christine Friesen Ashley Barras Tommy Barras Sister of Betty Beard Cecil & Shirley Bishop Olive Becker Dr. Arlys W. Bing Donald Laurie Blair Margaret McBride Lt. Ben Britt Mr. & Mrs. A.C. Von Minden Pat Bugh McGowen Cleaners Vauline Burk Loyce & Tommy Bussell Joan Meroney Carey Ross & Shirley Anderson Terry Collman Joyce & Bob Phillips Duane Coltharp M.H. Crockett, Jr. Norma Crocker Cal & Millie Reed Andrew Crossley Tom & Patsy Patterson Ken Davenport Nancy Davenport Gail DeMoss Willie & Orca Willhelm Bill Dillion Jim & Ruby Bloodworth Mozelle Dryre T. Carroll & Sybil Strange Bill Duke Ray & Betty Gipson Norma Lee Fink Jake & Rose Jacobson
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Audrey Fitzgerald Mr. & Mrs. A.C. Von Minden Jimmie Franz Gary & Kathy Friedel Mrs. Bea Freeman Jean Robinson Viola Gallup Edgar & Carolyn Reeves Marie Garretson Amanda Windsor Peggy Geer June Avary Olan & Betty Adams Steve Gilpatrick Herb & Mary Lou Sentesi John Gryder Tom & Patsy Patterson Carl Ray Hammond George & Caroline Polk Dr. Bill Harbour Don & Jimmie Poe Mickey Higginbotham Edgar & Carolyn Reeves Harvey Hill Ross & Shirley Anderson Ava Ruth Hurlbut Edgar & Carolyn Reeves Dr. George B. Jackson Peter Bryan Compass Program of the Menninger Clinic Joe & Susie Dossey Barbara & William Drell Randall & Phyllis Ferguson Dr. Timothy N. Hickman Mimi & Chris Hilliard June Jackson Pam & Alan Jarrett Kathy Johnson Elizabeth Kinnear Marilyn & George Kochel Natalie Lancaster Cheryl Liere Geetha & George Mammen Nancy & Kent Stobaugh Kevin Wheeler – Memorial & Katy Surgical Specialists Mary Sue James James & Sheila Gattis
Mrs. Mary E. Johnson Scott & Paige Dunlop Claude Jones Cy-Fair Federal Credit Union Frank Kana, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. A.C. Von Minden Neal Keltner Danny King Jean Robinson Donna Kittman Margie Dalton May Rose Litowsky Dr. Arlys W. Bing Tommie Lohman Bill & Marilyn Gillentine Jay Looper Noel & Betty Jones Billy Lundquist The Bumstead Family Denise Lundquist The Bumstead Family Maureen (Lassonde) Dazzo Jimmy May Pat May Tracy Mead Owen & Virginia Hale Sandra McCollum Ross & Shirley Anderson Jane Turlington Norman C. Meyer Edgar & Carolyn Reeves Mrs. Bob Myers Mendy & Robert Grissom Hazel Nagel Tom & Jane Liles Earl Nichols, Sr. Martha Wiebe Bennie Owen Florence Abercia Dr. Fred W. Pauling Dr. & Mrs. Philip L. Leggett Mrs. Antone Peterson Jean Robinson Rock Phillips Ronald & Betty Bolian Carolyn Ruth Pierce Sammy Pierce Joyce Pittman Charlotte Martin
Daniel Posednik George & Caroline Polk Delcie Raney Audrey & Wayne Arnett Dorothy Richardson Cecil & Shirley Bishop Joe Reynolds Jack & Dotty Tompkins Dr. James Riley Ross & Shirley Anderson Gene Roark Martha Wiebe Niece of Jean Robinson Jean Robinson Walt Roeber Edgar & Carolyn Reeves Kathy Salvie Ross & Shirley Anderson Cecil & Shirley Bishop Pat & Jim Ingram Tom & Jane Liles Earl & Louise Nichols Ken & Morna Wall Ruth Sattem Theresa Crowell Rev. H. Wallace & Betty Kinzler Ralph Sattem Zoe Etta Shaffer Jennifer Stephenson Myrie Shaw Noel & Betty Jones Clifford Wayne Slovacek Leonard & Margaret Bedell Rick Smith Audrey & Wayne Arnett Mother of Keith Spears Reed & Janet Wood Sister of Bob Stiffler Tom & Jane Liles Paul Strickler Tom & Patsy Patterson Jackson Tabor Jane Turlington Rosemary Tello George Polk, Jr. & family John Terrell Lou Ellen Peck Bill Toller Lou Ellen Peck Dawn Williams Trozzo Jack & Carolyn Little
Chris Trussell Ken & Debbie Beeney James & Mary Ann Byrne Howard & Dot Chapman Theodore & Helen Doyle Beth Early Alan & Sharon Keifer David & Karen Kilby John & Martha Marshall Rose & George Perez Betty & Herbert Trussell Luther Utesch Jane Turlington John P. Villasenor Jill Hart-McDaniel Mimi Wagner Margaret Saunders Jo & Kim Ward J.E. & M.A. Ward Joanne Watford Kathie & Scott Amann Karen & Larry Baribeau Georgette Benson, Carlton Woods Bridge Buddy David & Joanne Bole James Brown Ken Burke Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation Jim & Debby Cain Tim & Mela Dee Cain PK & Mary Caldwell Andrew Coleman Kim & Dennis Congdon Brian Corales – Howard Weil Julia & Mark Ellis Farnsworth & Vonberg, L.L.P. John Ford Jim & Wendy Fryfogle Debbie Ghani Glenn & Carol Graff Angila Graham Cathy Grossman Jim & Maureen Hackett Roger & Brenda Heckman Justin & Devra Henderson Claire Herbert Matt Hoffman
In Memory Of
Received February 11, 2012 - May 25, 2012 Travis & Stacy Johnson Burt Jones Houston & Charlotte Kauffman Killarney Elementary Peter & Jeanne Kinnear Sandi Kraemer – Ultra Petroleum Joseph & Rita Lakess Sam Lambert Maxine & Fred Lederman Michael MacDougall Kristen Marron Janet & Tom Matura
Barbara Palumbo Doris Rimmer Jim & Lisanne Rogers Edna Lopez - Protiviti Jessie Picquet QEP Resources J.A. & Pat Rader Barry Russell - IPAA S.M. & Beth Salato Dr. & Mrs. Robert C. Schucker Jackie Scott – America’s Natural Gas Alliance Lynn Sievers
Tom & Mary Meneley Linda Meyer Richard Moore Sara Nainzadeh Trudy Nelson – CIBC World Markets Corp. Joseph & Jan Netherland Suzanne Nimocks Peggy Noble Frank & Marcia Norris Suzanne Ogle Marc Oster, Will Leven, Brian Bova & Leeds Eustis - UBS
SM Energy Company Mark & Vicky Smith Brent & Kathy Smolik C.R. & Jacqueline Stonestreet Gloria Tressler Schlumberger Valerus Wells Fargo – Oil & Gas Division Rick & Georgia Wharton Walter & Martha White Ken & SuSu Whitehurst
& Palmer Petroleum, Inc. Friends Kelly & Jason Whitley Judith Wood – Friends of Champion Forest Garden Club Dale Wheeler Donald & Jennie Hurst McDonald and Wessendorff Insurance Staff Marilynn Patton Michael Earl Zeplin Betty Gipson
In Honor Of
Received February 11, 2012 - May 25, 2012 Stacie Blackburn Lee Alexander Yoav, Melanie, Benjamin & Madeline Azachi Wayne & Michele Brown Robert Brown Burley & Shirley Cantrell Dana Logan Melody Clark – Birthday Russ Clark Jacquelyn Driesslein – 100th Birthday Tom & Patsy Patterson Melvin Eldridge Birthday Edgar & Carolyn Reeves Cindy Garcia Fernando Garcia Sten Gustafson – Birthday Paul Thames Lilly Marie Habachy – 1st Birthday Uncle Ed & Aunt Vickie Bud & Barbara Habel – 60th Wedding Anniversary Tom & Patsy Patterson
Mickey & Judy Herrmann – Wedding Anniversary Eleanor Evans Helen Howard – 75th Birthday David Parker Howard Diana Howard Lewis & Debra Ropp George & Mary Ellen Lundquist Jim & Barb Liebl Charles & Verlyn Mosley – 65th Wedding Anniversary Jake & Rose Jacobson Cherise Osmon – Graduation Mr. & Mrs. Stewart Fox Elizabeth Ann Pace – High School Graduation Ray & Betty Gipson Bill Penley – 80th Birthday Patsy & Tom Patterson Jean Robinson Mimi McDugald Beverly & Staman Ogilvie Shirley Wright
Lizi Robinson – 1st Birthday Beth Ellis Lyndi Sandford Bruce Witwer Gabriel Rueda Graduation Vickie & Edward Enriquez Madison Sacco – Birthday Sue Vindett Gloria Smith Bunny Halvorson Billy Wallin Jeannette Russell Marilyn Wardenburg – Birthday Pete Wardenburg Melissa Weldon – Birthday Margaret Jones Jerry & Nelda West – 50th Wedding Anniversary Edgar & Carolyn Reeves Martha Wiebe – 90th Birthday Ross & Shirley Anderson Louise Nichols
Includes gift(s) made to the Boys and Girls Country Endowment Fund. You can make a tribute gift online at www.boysandgirlscountry.org
Other Ways You Can Help Calling All Cars!
Saving Memories Like all families, we take a lot of photos! We currently rely on staff members' personal cameras, and it would be amazing to have a high quality camera always available to capture family memories and events. If you would like to donate a gently used digital SLR camera, please contact Ginny Hargrave at 281-351-4976 ext. 172 or ginnyh@boysandgirlscountry.org.
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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
er
Summ
We're Going Places!
WISH LIST
Our Activities Department Needs: Treadmills or other exercise equipment Poster board and arts & crafts supplies Wii, PS3, and Xbox Kinect Games DVD players & DVDs (G, PG, PG-13; exercise DVDs such as Zumba and P90x) Our Clothing Closet Needs: In all sizes, except where indicated: Men's, Women's, Girls', and Boys' Black or White No-Show Socks Boys' and Men's Belts (all sizes; casual and dress needed) Undershirts (Boys' XL; Men's S-XXL; sleeved and sleeveless) Tennis Shoes and Casual Shoes (youth sizes 12-5; adult sizes 6 and up) Summer Shoes (sandals, flip-flops, Crocstyle shoes, water shoes; youth sizes 12-5, adult sizes 6 and up) Jeans for Junior Plus Girls (sizes 13-19) Men's and Boys' Wallets and Cologne (no aersol) Our Commissary Needs: Men's Razors & Hair Products (no aersol) African-American Hair Care Products (Olive Oil Sheen; Kinky-Curly brand products, Pantene Pro-V Relaxed & Natural Intensive Shampoo & Conditioner) Liquid Hand Soap Kool-Aid Cookie Mix Sugar Ranch Dressing Our Cottages Need: Twin-Size Matresses (not box springs) 5-Qt. Skillet with Lid Pillows Large Plastic Leftover Containers We also have a great need for donated vehicles for our new teen drivers and ever-expanding College and Career program. Full list at www.boysandgirlscountry.org Click on "Donate" and "Wish List"
HERITAGE AWARD DINNER 2012
Honoring
Featuring
Clarence P. Cazalot, Jr.
Steve Martin
Chairman, President & CEO of Marathon Oil Corporation
Event Chair
Randy Stilley
Save the Date
Thursday, November 8, 2012 Reception 6:00 PM Dinner 7:00 PM
Hilton of the Americas 1600 Lamar, Houston, Texas 77010 At this year's Heritage Award Dinner, we will honor Clarence P. Cazalot, Jr., for his generosity and leadership in our community. As Chairman, President, and CEO of Marathon Oil Corporation, he has generously supported our Home for years. Join us as we honor Mr. Cazalot and laugh until your sides ache with entertainment from iconic comedian Steve Martin. It is sure to be a truly unforgettable evening! Sponsorship opportunities available! Please contact Ginny Hargrave, Director of Development, at 281-351-4976, ext. 172 or ginny.hargrave@boysandgirlscountry.org. Visit www.heritagegala.org for more information.