Aspire! 2023 Event Program

Saturday, March 25

Event Schedule

5:45 PM

Doors Open and Registration

6:00 PM

Silent Auction

6:30 PM

Welcome

Jim Merz, Board Chair

Lakisha Miller-Barclay, Board Co-Chair

Allen Smith, CEO

6:35 PM

Overview of Opening Track

Kim Shemo, Music Program Manager

Imani George

Sage & Xola Shahid

The Broadway Dancing Divas

Amiyah Anthony

Mariah Anthony

Mckenzie Goodall

Doriann King

Jaelynn Smith

Londynn Smith

6:40 PM

Opening Track Performance

6:55 PM

Dinner Sponsor & Patron Recognition

Shaquira Johnson, CMO

Club Update

Allen Smith, CEO

8:00 PM

Dessert Dash

Be first to select favorite desserts from the table. Pool funds online with your table guests now. Ready... Set... Dash!

8:15 PM

Live Auction

Peacock CLE

Youth of the Year Interview

Samarion Newell

Shaquira Johnson, CMO

8:40 PM

Mission Moment and Raise The Paddle

Peacock CLE

9:00 PM

Closing Remarks

Tonight’s Activities

Silent Auction

All silent auction bidding will be conducted using your cellular phone. Upon arrival, please register your phone with our event team at check-in and you will receive a text message welcoming you to the event. The silent auction will close at 9:00 p.m.

Smartphone Bidding Instructions

One you receive a text message from OneCause/BidPal, click on the link in the text message and it will take you to your personal bidding page. Click on an item and place your bid. Each item is listed and specifies the minimum bid and Buy It Now price. Please read any and all instructions carefully.

Dessert Dash

Take a peek at the Dessert Dash Table to choose which delicious treat your table would like to enjoy tonight. The table with the highest donations will get the first choice of dessert! Each table will have a specific donation “package” on the auction site.

Live Auction

To bid during the live auction, please raise your program, which has your bidder number on the back, to indicate your intent to bid. An event volunteer will approach all live auction winners to log donation amounts. To expedite checkout, be sure to register your credit card through OneCause/ BidPal at the beginning of the evening.

Mission Possible

Mission Possible will follow our Mission Moment. This is your opportunity to truly demonstrate your commitment to Club members and Club programming. There will be an option for cell phone bidding if you prefer not to participate in the live segment. Event staff will confirm all donation amounts at checkout. To expedite checkout, be sure to register your credit card through OneCause/BidPal at the beginning of the evening.

TO

EXPEDITE CHECKOUT, REGISTER YOUR CREDIT CARD through the donation site at the beginning of the evening.

Thank You Sponsors & Patrons

Power Hour

SMART Moves

Akron Children’s Hospital

Alpha Phi Alpha Foundation of Akron, Inc.

Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLP

Paula Christ

Smile Doula

Summa Health Medical Staff

Westfield

Career Launch

5th Course Bakery

Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA)

Cleveland Cavaliers

GPD Group

Huntington National Bank

J.W. Didado Electric Inc.

Roger and Sally Read

Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro’s Department of Job and Family Services

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

The University of Akron

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio

Our Mission

At Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio, our mission is to inspire and enable young people who need us most to reach their full potential as productive, responsible, caring citizens.

Our Story

Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio was formed in July 2019 by the merger of Clubs in Cleveland, the Western Reserve (Greater Akron), Lorain County and Erie County. The merger, one of the largest of its type in the nation, positioned BGCNEO to serve more kids in more places.

Boys & Girls Clubs provide safe, fun places for kids ages 6-18 to go after school. The Clubs focus on academic achievement, healthy lifestyles and character development. The Clubs’ youth development professionals provide programming that includes arts, athletics and homework help.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio

Academic Success

Our Academic Success programs integrate school learning with enjoyable activities and foster a culture of high expectations and achievement. Our core Academic Success programs improve literacy, enforce homework completion, expand access to technology, engage youths in the arts and prepare teens for college and careers.

Key Programs:

• Ready Readers Plus

• Power Hours

• Diplomas to Degrees

• Career Launch

• Be Great: Graduate

• Money Matters

• STEMtastic

• Summer Brain Gain

• Arts Activities and Instruction

Healthy Lifestyles

Our Healthy Lifestyles programs nurture members’ overall wellbeing by promoting healthy habits and reducing risky ones. Kids set personal goals, improve social skills and develop healthy techniques for managing stress, eating healthy and staying fit.

Key Programs:

• Triple Play

• National Fitness Competition

• SMART Girls

• Passport to Manhood

• UPS Road Code

Character and Citizenship

Our Character and Citizenship programs encourage service to the Club and community, promote respect for self and others and build leadership skills. Youths following this path are less likely to fail, get suspended, drop out of school or get involved with the police –and are more likely to continue their education beyond high school.

Key Programs:

• Keystone Club

• Torch Club

• Youth of the Year

• SMART Leaders

Members of Boys & Girls Clubs are more likely to report the following positive outcomes:

Academic Success

• 77% on track for graduation.

• 53% more likely to attend college.

Good Character and Citizenship

• 53% more likely to volunteer.

• 82% more likely to expect to have a great future.

• Decreased levels of shyness.

Healthy Lifestyles

• 97% more likely to abstain from alcohol.

• 89% more likely to abstain from smoking.

• Increased levels of future connectedness.

• Decreased numbers of negative peers as friends.

A study conducted by the University of Michigan found that every dollar invested in Boys & Girls Clubs returns $9.60 in current and future earnings.

Event Makers

Peacock CLE: Auctioneer and Emcee

You certainly cannot miss Peacock as he genuinely stands out in a crowd. This is because of his civic pride, energy, and wearing of the largest custom made jacket wardrobe in the world. He designs every themed jacket and they are made by top garment artisans from around the nation.

Peacock has a long and varied talented career spanning from being an early 70’s one hit wonder glam rock artist to film and TV roles. He has shared the film screen with some of Hollywood’s elite. Peacock travels the nation doing many types of live events but genuinely enjoys fundraisers for great causes in his native NEO. His website is peacockCLE.com.

As Sir Elton John once told him while doing an event together at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, “I may well be the Rocket Man but you certainly have me out numbered with jackets so I crown you as the undisputed jacket man.”

GhostLight Productions

Formed in 2006, GhostLight Productions, LLC is a full-spectrum integrated event design, production and management company.

With over 50 years combined industry experience, principals Deborah Smythe Hermann, Chairwoman and CEO, and David Shimp, President and COO, form the backbone of GhostLight Productions. This is the only company in NE Ohio that provides its clients every service to ensure a flawlessly executed signature special event. From site selection through set decoration, from e-vites through entertainment, from exquisite hors

WE’RE PROUD TO SUPPORT THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF NORTHEAST OHIO

Buckingham is proud to support The Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio.

UAKRON.EDU

Live Auction Items

#1 / A Dream Come True: Goodyear Blimp for Two

Have you ever looked up in the sky and, seen the Goodyear Blimp and thought to yourself “What would it be like to have a chance to fly in the Blimp?” A smooth, quiet, slow ride that offers an unmatched view of the Akron scenic landscape, a wondrous dream come true. This is truly a priceless opportunity, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company has made your wish a reality with this amazing auction item. Due to the airship’s schedule, dates for passenger flights are variable. As dates become available, Goodyear will contact registered passengers to schedule their flight. Expires 1/6/2024.

Courtesy of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

#2 / Sunshine State of Mind: Key West Trip

It seems you can never fully shake off the cold of Northeast Ohio. Catch some much needed rays with a 5 night stay at Westwinds Inn in Key West, Florida. Situated in Old Town, this property offers convenient access to all that Key West has to offer including dining, nightlife, outdoor adventure, shopping and more! Head to where the snow can’t follow you and relax in the sand. Airfare not included.

Courtesy of Scott and Linda Earhart

#3 / Pump Payout

The rise in gas prices has hit us all hard lately! Take the worry out of the drive with free gas for a year from Circle K! This includes $2,600 in gift cards to Circle K, an emergency car kit, and a Circle K backpack. Enjoy your road trip without wondering how you’ll fill up!

Courtesy of Circle K

#4 / Club Kid Art Collaboration

These beautiful pieces are collaboration between Gallagher Club members and Art Director, Nadine Ramos. Courtesy of Nadine Ramos

Youth of the Year Spotlight

Youth of the Year is an annual competition of standout junior and senior Club members. Candidates prepare essays, speeches, resumes, and cover letters. These materials are read over by judges and a winner is selected; receiving scholarships and needed supplies for secondary education. These exceptional students have put in a lot of hard work for this competition. They have been model examples of how to invest in your education, extracurriculars, and be an active Club Member. At Aspire! you will hear from our winner for this year.

Youth of the Year Candidates

Samarion Newell

2023 BGCNEO Youth of the Year

A Club member since the age of 12, Samarion Newell is a senior at Sandusky High School, where he plays sports and is a member of Student Council, National Honor Society, United Black Students and Business Professionals of America. He is vice president of Keystone Club, a leadership group. He intends to attend college this fall and pursue a career in finance.

Taylyn is a ninth-grader at St. VincentSt. Mary High School in Akron, where she sports a 3.9 GPA and plays junior varsity and varsity basketball. As a junior youth development professional at BGCNEO’s Lebron James Club, Taylyn has been praised for her leadership skills.

Mathew Breban is a senior at Lorain High School, where he plays baseball. Originally from Puerto Rico, Mathew has been a Boys & Girls Clubs member for 9 years and now works there as a junior youth development professional. “I love watching and playing the game of baseball,” he says.

Taylyn Banta Youth of the Year Candidate

Mathew Breban Youth of the Year Candidate

Dessert Dash

This year, Dessert Dash will be all online!

Scan the QR Code below to see your individual donation page for your table. Pool your funds as a table and see which table can raise the most and have their first choice of dessert!

Ready…Set….DASH!

one.bidpal.net/aspire/browse/all

Auction Checkout

When the silent auction ends, you will receive a congratulatory text message if you have the winning bid(s).

If you have pre-registered a credit card in the system, you can check out using the link sent with the congratulatory text message. Once your purchase is complete, proceed to the pick-up area to receive your items. Please show the itemized receipt to volunteers as proof as purchase. Please do not remove any auction items without first seeing a volunteer.

If you have NOT pre-registered a credit card, proceed to the payment/checkout table to make a payment. Once payment is settled, you may then proceed to an auction volunteer for each item you won. Please see bolded instructions in previous paragraph.

We accept cash, check or credit card (Amex, Discover, MasterCard or Visa). Please make checks payable to Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio with Aspire! auction in the memo line. Payment in FULL is required this evening and winners are responsible for claiming their items. Unclaimed items will be available for pick up at Boys & Girls Clubs Steve Wise Club, 889 Jonathan Ave, Akron OH 44306, starting on Monday, March 27. Please contact Grace Marras at 216-306-3843 or gmarras@bgcneo.org to schedule a pickup.

All sales are final. There will be no refunds or exchanges (unless noted in the item description). All items are offered in as-is condition. In the event of a dispute, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio event staff will render a final decision. Neither the event staff nor the consignors are responsible for errors in descriptions, authenticity, or goods of conditions. The event staff reserves the right to withdraw any item not meeting minimum bid requirements.

OF NORTHEAST OHIO

Supporting Summit County

Thank You!

Our Live & Silent Auctions would not be possible without the generous support of the following people & organizations.

Add Akron Art Museum

Akron Civic Theatre

Akron Fossils & Science Center

Akron Police Department

Akron RubberDucks

Akron Symphony

Akron Zoo

Apple American Group

Armstrong Air and Space Museum

Bella Bronze

Greg and Wendy Chambers

Christine Franz

Cinemark

Cleveland Monsters

CloudCo Entertainment

Cuyahoga Falls Parks and Recreation

Deb Toothaker

David O’Neal and Bobbi Smyth

Gervasi Vineyard

Goodwill

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

GPD Group

Great Lakes Theater

Great Lakes Science

Holden Forests and Garden

Karen Fry

King’s Island

Lisa Aurilio

Little Tikes

Lori Barber

Lynn Hamrich

Malco Products

Martell School of Dance

Mary and Tim Fry

Mayor Daniel Horrigan

Mitchell’s Ice Cream

Paula Christ

Petitti’s

Pierre’s Ice Cream

Pink Gorilla Balloons

Scott and Linda Earhart

Sherwin Williams

Sonia Bautista

Stan Hwyet Hall and Gardens

Step 2

TBE Theatres

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Western Reserve Historical Society

Yard Card Ninja Ohio

Jim and Sharri Merz

Special Thanks

Summit County Regional Board of Advisors

Lisa Aurilio

Sonia Bautista

Paula Christ

Robert Crane

Linda Earhart

Kris Figueroa

Jason Frederick

Mary Fry

Richard Fry

Melisa Gotto

Derrick Hall

Lynn Hamrich

Anne Jorgensen

Morgan Lasher

James Merz

Lakisha Miller-Barclay

Erika Moore

David O’Neal

Bryan Oden

Lori Pesci

Eboni Pringle

Robert Rothschild

Antonio Samuel

Lisa Schultz

BGCNEO Board of Directors

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Leslie Murray – Board Chair

Lisa Aurilio – Vice Chair

Mark Ballard – Secretary

Adam Hill – Treasurer

Rich Desich – Past Chair

BOARD MEMBERS

Victor Alexander

Mark Bachmann

Marcia Ballinger

Nic Barlage

Michael Beedles

Michael Colagiovanni

Billy Criscione

Richard Fry

Lynn Hamrich

Gail Hollander

Carey Jaros

Howard Lewis

Mary Beth Pate

Howard Rabb

Yentil Rawlinson

David Rengel

Upcoming Events

Race for Kids

June 24

Cleveland, OH

Taco Bell Charity Golf Classic

June 26

Aurora, OH

Golf for Great Futures

August 7

Avon, OH

Blue Jeans for Blue Doors

October 19

Sandusky, OH

For more information and to register for upcoming events, visit www.bgcneo.org.

Our Mission

The mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio is to inspire and enable all young people who need us most to reach their full potential as productive, responsible, caring citizens.

Supporting Summit County