Volume 40
Number 3
Then
and
Summer 2011
Now
Over the past 40 years, our Home has grown from one dorm, a dining hall, and a staff house to fourteen cottages across two campuses and beautiful facilities in which our kids can learn, play, and grow...the saplings that took root in 1971 have matured into full-grown shade trees...and more than 1,200 boys and girls have found roots of their own and a family for life. While the signs, buildings, and faces have changed, our work has not. We are still raising kids and doing all that comes with it - sitting down for dinner as a family each evening, being there for the big game or the first performance in a school play, celebrating birthdays and Christmas, and going on summer road trips together, as well as listening, loving, and encouraging each and every child. We are able to be there for our kids because you are here for us. We deeply thank you for supporting us and helping us get from "then" to "now" and beyond! 18806 Roberts Road Hockley, Texas 77447 (281) 351-4976 Fax: (281) 351-4978 info@boysandgirlscountry.org
Donate Online! www.boysandgirlscountry.org
Join us on Facebook! facebook.com/ boysandgirlscountry
Inside: Pages 2-3: Message from the Executive Director...and Boys and Girls Country in the News! Page 4-5 Announcing the Class of 2011! And Thank You to Our Friends!
Page 6: Spring Festival recap Page 7: Tribute List Page 8: Celebrating Our 40th at Spring Festival...and check out our Wish List
Message from the Executive Director
Sherry, Rhonda, and Katelynn serve their winning lemonade at Spring Festival!
Saturday, April 30th was a beautiful day on our campus, slightly humid with the sweet aroma of funnel cakes drifting through the air! As always, Spring Festival is important to us, in so many ways. First of all, we enjoy it! Our campus is full of food, games, music, and our very best friends! Next, we love our kids and we get to show them off! Finally, the funds generated from Spring Festival are the dollars we rely on to take care of our children. We buy groceries, clothing, and fund our kid’s activities with the money raised there. Spring Festival is our second largest fund raiser of the year (The Heritage Dinner is the first and it’s on November 2nd!) and because of each of you, it was an amazing success for our children! We estimate that 3,000 guests visited that day and we netted nearly $610,000! On behalf of our Board of Directors, our kids, and all our staff, I want to express our appreciation for your support. We could not accomplish our mission without you. Thank you so much!
It sometimes seems there is always more to do than we can really get done. What keeps us effective and efficient are our volunteers. We have come to rely on them so much and they never let us down! Without volunteers, we would have no opportunity to even hold Spring Festival! We have many groups and businesses that help us. We also are blessed with the support of many generous churches that see us as part of their mission and their flock. One of the most unique volunteer groups we have is one that assists us literally every day: our German volunteers. These young people, who are preparing to enter college, travel half way across the world to spend a year “in service to others”. They help our kids with math and language skills in the Ed Lab; they take photographs for us; they help lay out our development materials; they cut grass; they paint; they move furniture; and they become partners who touch the kids’ lives and our lives daily. We grow so close to them, without really realizing it, that when their year is up and they return home, our hearts ache. Speaking of hurting hearts, about once a month, we find ourselves sadly headed to a funeral to honor a former staff member, a former Board Director, or one of our donors or supporters. I went to one such event last month and the church was full of people touched by this gentleman’s life. At one point during the service, the son of the departed spoke and told us his father had taught him that “what we do for ourselves dies with us, but what we do for others lives forever.” It was clear from those who attended to pay their respects that this person had done much for others. As we leave those services, we are reminded – before it’s too late – to thank each of you for all you do! Our children’s progress in the academic part of their lives continues to soar! As we collected our last report cards and began the process of analyzing the grades, we could see the pattern continue to develop! As adults who know our kids well, we know they can achieve, even when they think they can’t! The grades help prove our point that all of our limits are 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 blessed to assist in that! Our current Campus Grade Point average is a 3.2, “B” average! Nearly 7 out of every 10 of our kids are on the Honor Roll! On one of those last glorious Spring Saturdays in March, we had a visit from Mrs. Jean Robinson and several of her friends. Two of our boys, Billy and Evan, took them on a tour of the campus, including a visit to their own home. Having Mrs. Jean visit is so exciting for us! Seeing our founder look over a beautiful campus, that just 40 years ago was a rice field, is often overwhelming. What progress has been made in those 40 years, both on our grounds but more importantly with the 1,200 children who have lived on this campus. I often wonder if the Robinsons and the supporters back then knew that 40 years later, God’s work would still be happening on this humble, but beautiful, plot of land?
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 9th September 10th 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”.
To that end, as we continue to celebrate our 40th Anniversary, I’ve asked one of our kids to interview Mrs. Robinson to help us better understand the path that has led us to today. This amazing young lady stepped onto our campus as a little girl over 10 years ago. She will graduate from high school a year from now and will report on her visit with Mrs. Jean in our next newsletter. I can’t wait! “You are happiest when you are making the greatest contribution”. You should all be happy for what you have allowed us to accomplish by partnering with you. Our campus always hovers in the 96% + capacity range. Our kids are making great strides in the academic arena and are finding a new sense of pride and esteem in their latest efforts. Our staff has stabilized and we have little Teaching Parent turnover and that consistency has in turn, stabilized our kid’s lives. Our six seniors (3 boys and 3 girls) are now high school graduates, and they are each a miracle in their own right. As you remember, most of our kids will be first generation high school graduates and first generation college students. They achieve for the betterment of themselves and their families. The Better Business Bureau, our yearly financial auditors and Charity Navigator have rated our fundraising and money management at the highest levels. We want to be good stewards in using the time, talent and treasure you so generously share with us. Shakespeare wrote, “The rain falls on the just and the unjust, alike”. Every time I come across that quote, I think of our kids at Boys and Girls Country. Sometimes really bad things happen to people through no fault of their own. I’m always asked, how did our kids get here? Today we have 87 kids and I can give you 87 reasons why they are here. I can report, if you chase those reasons back to the beginning, very often, there is no one to blame. It’s hard to explain that to others, let alone our kids, but it’s true just the same. There is no room for guilt or blame. One of the things I like most about Boys and Girls Country is that every morning brings an opportunity for a new start! No matter what happens today, we’ll get up tomorrow, “lessons learned” and let's move on! It’s been said, “giving away money is easy, but making a difference with your money is really hard work”. We are here to make sure that your support does make a difference. I’m often reminded that when you do for others what they cannot do for themselves, you will never lack God’s favor. Thank you for helping others. I’d like to close with an excerpt from a letter one of our “rained on” kids left in my mail box. “When I was little, people told me they were there forever for me, but they up and left. I searched all over for a special person but couldn’t find no one but now I’m really happy. I don’t have to worry any more about getting hurt. I’m so grateful for BGC, because if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be doing as good as I am right now so I thank this place where I have a lot of people I love with all my heart”. Thanks for being “there”.
Lou Palma
Boys and Girls Country in the News! In April, Fox 26 News came out and did a fantastic story on our Home! We had so much fun showing them around campus, and introducing them to our great kids. You can find the video at www.myfoxhouston.com*. Also, we are featured in an article in the Summer issue of Cy-Fair Magazine! You can find the magazine at any Starbucks, CVS, or Walgreens in the Cypress area, or visit their website: www.cyfairmagazine.com/current-issue.html. http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/news/local/110426-group-helps-provide-safety-net-for-disadvantaged-youth
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Class of 2011 Congratulations to the class of 2011! Our seniors – now graduates! – persevered through all of the ups and downs, the math tests, research papers, and science projects…and we have been there every step of the way, offering support, advice, and snacks to fuel the occasional late-night study session. These six young adults have been in our family for years – from three years to nearly eleven – and now we are standing alongside each of them as they venture into a new phase of life, taking steps toward an independent and successful future. Thank you to our friends at Cy-Fair Federal Credit Union, Cypress Creek Christian Church, and Sim-Tex for helping us celebrate each graduate with a Senior Shower!
Diane Annette Eldredge
2011
Chad Alan Funnell
2000
2008
Diane has been at our Home longer than any other student on campus, and even though she has matured into a beautiful young woman, she is still full of wide-eyed wonder at the world around her. She loves being outside, and she cares about all of God’s creatures…from horses all the way down to caterpillars! Diane will be moving to our College and Career campus and pursuing a career path that allows her to work with the animals she so adores.
Ryan Gregory Lewis
2011
2006 Ryan is an encourager and a leader, and he shares his feelings with passion and truth. He loves being outdoors and spends his free time fishing, usually at the lake on our College and Career Campus, so he is excited about his move to that campus this summer! Ryan will be working towards a career that allows him to continue pursuing his passion for the outdoors and fishing.
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2011
Chad has a big heart, and he truly cares about those around him. He is always there to lend a helping hand and to do whatever needs to be done without being asked. Chad is a natural at fixing things and working with his hands, and he enjoyed participating in ROTC during his senior year. In our College and Career Program, Chad will be building on his capabilities for understanding how things work as he pursues a career in mechanics.
Jorge Martinez, Jr.
2011
2001 Jorge is organized, hardworking, funny, caring, and a great friend. At school, he participated in soccer and crosscountry, and he was a member of our campus Normative Leadership Council. Jorge worked diligently in school, and his efforts paid off when he was awarded a Linda Lorelle Scholarship last September! This fall Jorge will be attending Lone Star College to pursue a degree in business and take steps toward his dream of having his own family business!
Class of 2011 Rebekkah Jo Wallin Scholarships & Honors Cum Laude Cy-Fair Credit Union Scholarship Baylor University Academic Scholarship Horatio Alger Association Texas Scholarship Women's Energy Network of Houston Academic Scholarship
2011
Stephanie Nichole Williams
2011
2005
2001
Watch out world! Rebekkah is on a mission and her determination will see her through to the end. She can hold her own in a debate and expresses her opinions freely. She has been known to forge her own path and is not afraid to set precedents. She was captain of the debate team and President of the National Honor Society as well as a member of our Normative Leadership Council. This fall Rebekkah will follow her dream of becoming a lawyer all the way to Baylor University.
Stephanie leaves a memorable impression on others with her bubbly personality. She loves deeply and is always there for the people in her life, especially her little brother and sister. Stephanie prides herself on her accomplishments, from getting to class on time and being responsible for her chores to maintaining A’s and B’s. Her positive attitude assures us that she will succeed at whatever she sets her mind to. Stephanie is a natural caretaker who will be pursuing a career where she can care for people or animals.
Thank you, friends!
Above left: Ms. Elaine "rides the rails" and receives a gift from Union Pacific Foundation for our playgrounds. Above right: Our kids celebrate the wonderful gift from our friends, the Northwest Chapter of the San Jacinto High Rollers, who also roar onto campus at Christmas for their annual toy run.
It is because of the support of our friends in the community that we are able to provide for the daily needs of our children. We would like to give special thanks to a few of our friends who have helped us this year: Kappa Kappa Gamma Charitable Foundation for their gifts towards our Apprentice Program and our children's medical expenses; the Northwest Chapter of the San Jacinto High Rollers for their wonderful gift of the proceeds from their annual Christmas toy run and fundraising party; Union Pacific for their wonderful gift, which helped us complete our playgrounds; and Woodforest Charitable Foundation for their generous gift for operating expenses. Because we are privately funded, your support is critical to helping us provide our children with a home, a family, and the chance to just be kids. Thank you! Left: Woodforest National Bank branch managers from across the state joined Dr. David Gottlieb, Director of Woodforest Charitable Foundation (WCF); Sarahbeth Melton, WCF Assistant; Patrick Schaeffer, Senior Vice President of WNB; Kim Marling, Vice President/Executive Director of WCF; and Vicki Richmond, Secretary/Treasurer of WCF to present our Home and other Texas charities with a combined donation of $275,000.00.
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Thank you to everyone who came out and helped make this Spring Festival our biggest and best ever! The net proceeds of Spring Festival will help us provide for our children throughout the year. What began as our Spring Barbeque 35 years ago has grown to be a fantastic day of family fun...and we deeply thank our guests, volunteers, and especially our sponsors for making the event possible!
Title Sponsor
ENGlobal Coporation Bill & Mary Goerner Presenting Goldman Sachs Spo Bob & Helen Howard Pipe Inspection Herb & Cheryl Listen Penny & Paul Loyd Carolyn & Jack Little Marathon Oil Corporation Sustaining Sponsor Brian & Elisabeth McCabe AADE - Houston Chapter Bud & Carolyn Patterson Jim & Arlene Payne Family El Paso Corporation Foundation Gatewood Family James & Susan Percle Foundation PHI, Inc. The Schulte Family Laura & Tommy Torres Supporting Sponsor Cynthia Walker Marilyn & Pete Wardenburg The Eads Family The Hildebrand Foundation Scott & Loraine Wegmann
nsors Arctic
HTK Consultants, Inc. KPMG LLP Partner Jeannie & Trey Able Ambient Heating & Cooling Aztec Events & Tents The Calvert Foundation Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital Davis-Lynch Ryan & Keri DesAutels Devon Energy Corporation Page 6
Friend Amegy Bank Bryan & Kelly Basham Bishop Lifting Products, Inc. Tina Jenks & Bryant O'Neal Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Midway Foundation RigNet Matthew & Elizabeth Rotan Connee & Kent Sullivan J. R. & Susan Sult Tex-Trude, L. P. Jim Tomforde Triad Energy Corporation
Buddy Allied Realty Tim & Nicole Blaine Cytex Plastics, Inc. Guggenheim Partners, LLC Hercules Offshore Kolkhorst & Kolkhorst CPA'S Cynthia R. Oelking George O'Neal, III The Palma Family Patterson & Sheridan, LLP The Rodgers Family Dick Scott Cullen & Jodie Spitzer Trenegy Danny & Emily Weingeist Freddie & Debra Yaggi From top: Stephen braves the mechanical bull...Jocelyn and Helen bounce back in the Bungee Run... Michael is ready to lend a helping hand...and Suzy is all smiles in the marshmallow gun booth! Below: The Boys and Girls Country singers kick off the day at Stage 1!
In Memory Of Received March 5, 2011 - April 30, 2011 Joan Adamik George Polk, Jr. William C. Bagby Malcolm G. Baker, Jr. John Baile Gene & Katie Roark Virginia Berkley Jean Robinson Tommy Brennan Penny Kraus Lt. Ben Britt Mr. & Mrs. A.C. Von Minden Chris Brown W.B. Smith, Jr. Dr. Max C. Butler The Beard Family Josephine Clepper Jim & Ruby Bloodworth Dorothy Connally Doyal & Carol Gillespie Jackie Connell Bobby & Betty Craig Zachie Dawson Betty & Bobby Craig Betty D’Aurora Judy Higginbotham & family Dena Dennington Tom & Patsy Patterson Martha Fry John Bessolo Don & Belle Dawson John & Maurita Diehl Anne Fry Doris O’Reilly Joan Recht
Bud Hadfield (Frederick Cordingly Hadfield) Jack Abercia Allegra Network LLC management & staff Anita Bonser Stephen Brochstein Stephen & Cynthia Brown Oleg Churakov Lawrence Doc Cohen Computer Explorers Malaysia Sandra Cooper Coventry Investment Group – Chris Minnick Mr. & Mrs. William Epps, Jr. Laura Fox A Friend of Boys and Girls Country Harris County FOP Lodge #39 Houston Heights Rotary Club Bob, Hal & Tim Husbands Jack, Marilyn & Lauren Johnson Kall Kwik United Kingdom KKFIC Independent Owner Association Roy & June Ladd Jennifer LaGrange – Discount Labels, LLC Pauline & Joe Lehmann Nancy & Mike McCoy
Elizabeth & Drayton McLane Kenny Ngam Dina Dwyer-Owens Karen Phelan George Polk, Jr. & family Elaine Potter – Bavarian Cakery Terry Powell – The Entrepreneur’s Source Charmayne Redd David Rhodes Kristin Sabo Rose & Robert Shaw Judy & Steve Siegel Leo & Alice Wourms Walter Heffler Ross & Shirley Anderson Bill Hendricks George & Caroline Polk Edgar & Carolyn Reeves Carmen Hilburn Mildred & T.K. Niland Maxine Hocher Paul & Debbie Blackshear Karen Johnson Linda & William Harkness James Johnston Mr. & Mrs. George W. Mitchell Mary Frances Kubli Bob & Mattie Hansen Mason Latham Rose & Jake Jacobson
The Mother of Mrs. Bruce Buffaloe & Mr. Bill Laughlin Jean Robinson Ila Evelyn LeNois Joyce & Bob Phillips Pat Livingston Danny King Vernon Lockett Doris O’Reilly Greg Magee The Roark Family Michael Martin Mark Hulse Peggy McCorkle Gerry & Betty Burkett Raymond J. Midlo Ralph & Noelene Birkelo Richard Mueller James Grueninger Glory Pryor Mr. & Mrs. E.C. Pulido Leon Reinold Ellen Reinold Mrs. Marvin Reinold Ellen Reinold Kristen Michelle Roberts Kaye Stripling Lucky Sahualla Cypress Ace Hardware & Feed Kathryn L. Salas Charlotte Gressett Jeff Oran Meacham Ryan Scanlon Alchemy Systems, LP Karen Trubia Bean
Keith & Liz Ann Burkart Lynne Gaddis John Haeber Alan Hendrick Steven Hendrick Sheila Otto TBPA Spring Buttercups Nancy & Sonny Wilson Natalie Novasad Stafford Linda & William Harkness Mae Stehling Betty & Bobby Craig John F. Sullivan, Jr. Hannah De Marco Sibiski Lucille Trapolino Willie & Orca Willhelm Gladys & Bernice Underwood Charlotte Martin Carley Watkins Bob & Joyce Phillips Carlton F. Whitaker Betty & Bobby Craig Marshall Wilkes Ross & Shirley Anderson Myra “Pete” Williams Linda & William Harkness Barbara Zedler The Vivian & Morris E. Albers Family Boys & Girls Country Friends Fund Mary Janca Rose Marie Mayer
In Honor Of Received March 5, 2011 - April 30, 2011 Kim Alexander & Jeff McCoy – Wedding Judy Allen Cynthia Colby Jack Currie Glen & Theresa Goodwin Debra Harris Mary Squyres
Wayne & Michele Brown Robert Brown Darla Fox Mr. & Mrs. Stewart Fox Alyse Jones Kathy & Raymond Komar
Katelynn Jones Kathy & Raymond Komar The kids of Boys and Girls Country Julia Rich Mary Ellen & George Lundquist William & Kathleen Norris
Pete & Peggy Miller Richard & Lynne Davidson Marti Reese – Birthday Jessica Edwards Wayne Reeves Birthday Edgar & Carolyn Reeves
Leticia & Steve Trauber Yava & Milton Scott Robin Udstuen Karen Miller & friends Shirley Wright A Friend of Boys and Girls Country
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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
er
Summ
WISH LIST Our Activities Department Needs: Exercise equipment (stationary bike, jump rope, dumbbells, treadmill, stair climber) Poster board and arts & crafts supplies Air Pump, for inflating sports balls Wii, PS3, and Xbox 360 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: Hipster and Bikini Style Panties (women’s size 5-9; girls' sizes 10-16) Tennis Shoes and Casual Shoes (youth sizes 12-5; adult sizes 6 and up) Junior Plus Girls' Clothing (size L, XL, XXL) Summer Shoes (sandals, flip-flops, Crocstyle shoes, water shoes; youth sizes 12-5, adult sizes 6-13) Shorts for Junior Girls (sizes 13–19, appropriate length) & Boys (waist sizes 28–34) Jeans for Junior Girls (sizes 13-19)
Celebrating Our 40th at Spring Festival! This year at Spring Festival, we celebrated our 40th birthday in style! The light posts were transformed into giant birthday candles, and even though we couldn't blow out those candles, our guests still made our birthday wish come true: The dollars raised at Spring Festival will help us continue to care for our children! It was the biggest birthday party in town, and we thank everyone who attended Spring Festival and celebrated with us!
Our Commissary Needs: Body Wash (men’s and women’s) Hair Conditioner SOS Pads Window Cleaner (spray) Kool-Aid Cookie Mix Brownie/ Cake Mix Our Cottages Need: Batteries (AA, AAA, AAAA, C and D) Heavy-Duty White Plastic Shower Curtain Liners (with metal grommets) DVD Players Large Plastic Food Containers for Leftovers Our Maintenance Department Needs: Compact fluorescent light bulbs Goat, rabbit, and heifer feed 50' and 100' water hoses Full list at www.boysandgirlscountry.org Click on "Donate" and "Wish List"
Don't miss page 6 for more photos and a list of our sponsors who helped make Spring Festival possible!
Top right: Local singer Ashley Bitz and our big birthday cake...each candle represents one of our kids! Above: The girls of Cottage 4 wish our Home a happy birthday! Right: Our new lighting is transformed into the perfect birthday candles!