|
From Coleen Jennison, Board of Directors President
 One of the most rewarding experiences in life is volunteering time to serve the community and seeing the benefits of that work. This is how I, and the other volunteer Board members, feel about our service to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Topeka. I could not be any prouder of the Board's and professional staff's hard work and dedication to the youth of Topeka. When you see the impact BGC Topeka is making in the lives of each child every day, it warms your heart.
Unfortunately these are tough economic times - but we will not be discouraged. The Board and staff remain committed to serving the youth of Topeka in our eight locations. Our slogan, "A Positive Place for Kids" is more than just a phrase to us - it sums up our mission to serve the kids despite adversity. Friends like you - who support us in so many ways each and every day - are what get us through the tough times. Your continued interest and encouragement make you the backbone of our organization! Thank you for being our partner and serving the youth of Topeka - we could not do it without you!
- Coleen Jennison
|
Summer Fun Programs Going Great!
 Did you know that Boys & Girls Clubs offers terrific summer programs? We are serving approximately 500 youth between the ages of 6 and 16 in four locations: our flagship club at 550 SE 27th Street, the Indian Creek Elementary School on 4303 NE Indian Creek Road, Deer Creek Club at 2345 SE 25th, and Pine Ridge at 1100 SE Highland Avenue. Each day our youth receive mentoring and guidance from highly trained staff, time to read and study in the Library or Learning Centers, a healthy snack and meal, physical education and organized sports leagues, arts and crafts, healthy eating and lifestyles training, and lots of cool field trips to places such as various museums, parks, lakes, the library, theatre, and of course, swimming pools! With your support and the support of the United Way of Greater Topeka, we can offer our terrific 8 week program for as little as $250.00. Our summer programs allow us to develop and mentor youth with activities and opportunities. To see our many great community partners who also contribute generously - please go to our web site at www.bgctopeka.org.
|
|
We're on Facebook!
 Take a look at our new Facebook page and sign up as a friend! It's a great way to keep up with our club and activities! Also check out our web site: www.bgctopeka.org.
|
|
Phil Menninger, Former Board Member, Honored
 On April 15th, the Topeka Board of Directors recognized former long-time Board member and current Advisory Board Member Phil Menninger for his 50 years of dedicated service to the Boys & Girls Club movement. Phil Menninger served on the Topeka club Board of Directors for over 40 years and was instrumental in its growth and success. Tens of thousands of youth have benefited from Phil's vision and leadership. Topeka Board member Mark Nordstrom presented Phil with a special certificate, medal, and letter from National BGCA President Roxanne Spillett commemorating his 50 years of service to Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Topeka Club. THANK YOU, Phil!
|
|
11th Annual Harley Party - August 28th!
 Mark your calendars for August 28, 2010 6 PM and be at Bullfrogs LIVE, 4115 SW Huntoon. You will have a fun time and maybe win a new Harley! Tickets are just $30.00 per person - only 1,000 will be sold. One person will win a New Harley Davidson Sportster. All proceeds benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Topeka. Join us for an evening of Dinner, Drinks, Live music, Dancing and Fun! Catered by Johnny Carino's! For tickets call (785) 232-5699 or stop by Bullfrogs LIVE or Topeka Harley Davidson.
You can also buy tickets online at www.bgctopeka.org. For more information call 232-5699.
|
|
Fifty Years Ago Our Club Was Founded
It was in October of 2009 I looked back at 50 years of service with the Boys Club of Topeka, now the Boys & Girls Clubs of Topeka of this group. As I have aged, my memory has faded, but if I remember correctly, Albert Cole was the President of the Boys Club Movement with Offices in New York City.
The Club was incorporated in March of 1956, and a small group of board members, let by Tom Mix, began laying plans to put together the Boys Club of Topeka. There was an opportunity to purchase the old Washington School Building at 1021 Washington St., and the Board began hard to raise the funds to buy the property. It took many hours of dedicated board members, but they were able to get the task at hand done, and the doors of the Boys Club of Topeka opened!
I can remember that there was a great deal of work that needed to be done to make the building ready for a Boys Club, but with lots of great help from our Board and members of the business community we were able to complete the job in a very short period of time. It was a wonderful day when the Club was first opened. What a thrill it was to see a project like this come to fruition!
Over the span of my 50 years, our Club was involved not only in local Boys & Girls Club programs, but we also participated in Area Council, Regional and National activities. I felt that we needed to have the knowledge from other sources outside our own Club to make it grow and prosper. Our Club was a leader in the Kansas Area Council and we left our mark with what we accomplished. Board Member Mark Nordstrom was one of those individuals who were an important Area Council representative.
A lot of credit to where we are today goes to my good friend, Elgin Woody. For many years, he was our Executive Director. I firmly believe he helped lay the groundwork for where we are today.
I haven't been an active Board Member in a number of years, but still connect with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Topeka by virtue of being on their Advisory Board. I am continually amazed at how far the organization has come in the last 50 years. The current Board of Directors is a very active group of young men and women who are dedicated to see that this organization continues to be a strong and POSITIVE PLACE FOR KIDS!
Philip B. Menninger
President Emeritus
Boys & Girls Clubs of Topeka
|
|
Did You Know?
- Last year the Boys & Girls Clubs of Topeka served over 4,500 youth.
- BGCT is honored to be a United Way member agency.
- During the school year - each child receives homework assistance, tutoring, mentoring, and participates in 45 minutes of physical activity each day to combat childhood obesity.
- We offer some before school programs in USD 345 and after school programs, as well as Summer Fun programs at every site.
- We never turn a child away for the inability to pay.
- We are now an SRS approved childcare provider.
- We offer FREE internet safety classes to youth and adults.
- In 2009 - we had over 20 Community Partners such as the Topeka Police Department, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Keep America Beautiful, Oral Health Kansas, KTWU Channel 11, United Way, YMCA of Topeka, and many many more!
|
Check us out at our website at www.bgctopeka.org. You can keep up with the many activities of the club and even join us to serve the youth of Topeka. Send us a note - we like to hear from you!
Don't forget to join us on August 28th at the Harley Party, our annual fundraiser!
Jeff Wagaman
Chief Professional Officer
Boys & Girls Clubs of Topeka
|
|
|
