Why do you care?
"The BGCCI continues to inspire our young people. Our investment in at-risk kids is without precedent. The BGCCI is leading the way in our community to fulfill life skills, education, character and leadership. What a pleasure it is to be part of this wonderful organization."

A favorite Boys & Girls Club memory is...
"I’ve seen young kids that start going to Boys & Girls Club in 1st or 2nd grade graduate from high school. I’ve seen kids that struggled with their education move on to the next class or the next grade."

Involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs for: 10 years

Why do you care?
"I think the Boys & Girls Clubs have a positive impact on the kids that need it and appreciate it the most."

What sticks out to me the most about Boys & Girls Club is...
"When I hear stories and testimonials from kids like our Youth of the Year (and the other great kids) who speak about what it's meant to them, you get a real personal feeling of the good things the Club is doing. I can't say there's one single story that stands out because there are so many, and they are all very moving."

Involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs for: 5 years

Why do you care?
"I just want to make Des Moines a better place for kids. There’s such a need for after-school care for the demographics that we serve."

What sticks out to you the most about BGCCI is...
"We go to a lot of meetings at the Club, and it’s just great to see all the kids’ little smiling faces."

Involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs for: 3.5 years

Why do you care?
"Part of it's that I've been so fortunate in my life, and my kids are so fortunate, that it makes me compassionate for kids that are less fortunate.

And I think what we do is very important. It's all about giving the kids the tools and advantages they wouldn't otherwise have to become successful, caring individuals."

A favorite BGCCI memory is...
"Bryce, who got Youth of the Year two years ago. His story is my favorite memory because of what a courageous woman his mother is, and how she and the Club gave him the tools and motivation to mature into a great person."

Involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs for: 7 years

Why do you care?
"I think my interest is in the development of young people. The programs Boys & Girls Clubs have in place – and their philosophy – tie in closely with the development of young people.

A lot of those environments these kids grew up in, I grew up in as well. "

What’s a favorite BGCCI memory?
"When Bryce Shabazz was voted Youth of the Year last year. I had a chance to talk with his mother and how she was so thankful for the Boys & Girls Club, because he was a kid that was struggling. Then he got involved in Boys & Girls Club, and got a lot more confidence. Now Bryce is going to college, and he has great career aspirations.

There are a lot of Bryces out there that Boys & Girls Club will touch and set on the right path. I actually met Bryce before I made the commitment to join the Board, and I thought it would be well worth my while – that if the Boys and Girls Club can help develop people like him, then I’d want to be a part of that."

Involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs for: 1 year

Why do you care?
"There are a lot of reasons why I care. But if I have to give one example: I served on a scholarship committee for a year as a judge from that panel. And there were a couple applicants that came in – both talented, both very deserving, but one came in with tears in his eyes and said, “The club saved my life.

"That’s when it really became meaningful to me. That one experience is probably what hooked me the most. "

Involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs for: 6 years

Why do you care?
"I care about creating opportunities for our disadvantaged youth and provide ways that they can live and lead productive lives in spite of their economic circumstances."

A favorite Boys & Girls Clubs memory is...
"The grand opening of the Levitt Center. Maddie Levitt was a very special person and mentor to me."

Involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs for: 4 years

 

Why do you care?
"The Boys & Girls Club is a great organization which reaches out to kids in need and provides them with a positive environment to improve their future. It is exciting to be a part of such an effective organization which impacts so many children in the Des Moines area."

A favorite Boys & Girls Clubs memory is...
"The most significant achievement during my tenure has been the construction of the Ellis I. Levitt Club in coordination with Des Moines Public Schools. It is clearly a model which can and should be replicated at other schools in the Des Moines area as well as around the country. I view the partnership with the school as a true win-win situation. I believe that the kids who participate in Boys & Girls Club activities at Levitt are better students during the day and better all-around individuals when they leave that building each night. Kudos to all involved in the program."

Involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs for: 3 years

 

Why do you care?
"Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa is our partner. We’re partners in helping kids. And it’s more than just education. We’re partners in life. It’s helping them be successful."

What sticks out to you the most about Boys & Girls Club is...
"Seeing the excitement of the kids when school’s out – they just had a whole day of school, and they’re going to Club. They’ve had a full day, and their energy never ends. We have parents that want their children to come to Carver so they can go to Club. "

Involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs for: 5 years

Why do you care?
"I like the program because it benefits all of us to have kids in our community that grow up to be productive adults. Our program costs are relatively inexpensive relative to the cost to rehabilitate an adult that didn’t have proper guidance or someone to believe in them."

A favorite Boys & Girls Clubs memory is...
"When the kids were performing at Jingle Bell Bash. It snowed so much the day the Board was invited that many of our board members couldn’t attend dinner. So, rather than the standard fare of fast food or pizza, the kids got to join us for a “fancy” dinner. Just something our children take for granted but was so special to them. Oh my they were so excited! Those are experiences that they could only get through their involvement with BGCCI. "

Involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs for: 5 years

Why do you care?
"I think it’s evolved over the last 10 years, but I care because our Club’s programming positively affects so many kids & families that need really need our service. And yet here are so many more kids that need our services and there are many more neighborhoods we could be serving, so I am very interested in help us grow our reach by expanding our programming into more areas of our community."

What’s special about BGCCI?
"It’s approximately fifteen times less expensive to positively serve a youth with our programming that produces outcomes of higher graduation rates, healthier lifestyles, less criminal/gang involvement, reduced teen pregnancies, etc., etc. than it is to have a child go through the juvenile incarceration process/system. Prevention is so much better for us economically and sociologically and the way Boys & Girls Club develops healthy, confident, competent and caring young people really makes me proud to volunteer for the organization. "

Involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs for: 10 years

 

Why do you care?
"Years of working as a teacher and in various child advocacy programs has made me aware of the helplessness and vulnerability of so many children.. My life has been incredibly blessed with opportunities that these children lack. And I have a strong spiritual sense.that I am called to share those blessings in whatever way I can."

Why do you care?
"My husband grew up in the Springfield MO club. He has always talked so fondly of his memories there and it really helped mold him into the person he is today. As I learned more about the organization, it became very apparent it was time for me to give back

BGCCI has a tremendous support team in its board and members. It is impressive and inspirational. The purpose of the organization is extremely important and I am so honored to be a part of contributing to the success of the children of our community. As my husband's success can be indirectly attributed to his time at the Boys Club in MO, it demonstrates the power and impact we can have on the future of these kids. ."

A favorite memory of BGCCI is...
"I participated on the Barn Bash Auction Committee in early 2007 and attended other fundraising events."

Why do you care?
"Because I want other children to have the opportunities I had when I grew up, and this organization seems to do a good job of providing those opportunities."

What’s a favorite BGCCI memory?
"Old Bags night last year (2008). I bid on a great purse, and I was part of a wonderful, wonderful event."

Involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs for: 1 year

Why do you care?
"Children are our future, and I feel every child should have a similar opportunity to become a productive individual in society.  Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Iowa does a wonderful job of allowing every child opportunities by providing a safe place to expand on leadership and life skills."

A favorite Boys & Girls Club memory is...
"In 2009, the central Iowa community came together to adopt a record number of club families for our adopt a family program.  This enabled these club families to have an extra special Christmas!!"

Why do you care?
"I have seen the Boys & Girls Clubs have a dramatic impact on the youth of Des Moines.

We see positive, concrete measures of the impact the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa has on the community, such as significantly higher graduation rates and Club members progressing to higher education.

Greg Cushing invited me to the Board because he wanted to bring someone on who had some technology background. I help on two levels: one is with the basic infrastructure for the Club staff; and the other is for the kids. Specifically, to build our computer labs. Over the last 5 years we have updated the Club’s technical infrastructure and created several computer labs which are used daily to provide exceptional opportunities to reinforce the Club’s mission. "

What’s a favorite BGCCI memory?
"When we dedicated the new Ellis I. Levitt Boys & Girls Club at the George Washington Carver Community School. This was the culmination of years of work and represented an entirely new approach to reach the kids who need us most. The day this club opened we nearly doubled the number of kids we can affect each day."

Involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs for: 5 years

 

Why do you care?
"As a former educator, it’s important to me that children have a positive environment to turn to. Making a difference for one child is important, and for me, serving on the Board is a way for me to help with that."

What’s special about BGCCI?
"I think the overwhelming growth of BGCCI over the last few years is amazing and shows what a valuable asset to our young community it is."

 

Why do you care?
"I have always had a big heart for children and making the world a better place. Our kids are our future, and keeping them safe and off the streets is so important! So when we moved back to Iowa from Florida, I searched for an organization that would take care of our kids. I got in touch with Suzie Glazer Burt and I was forever hooked into Boys & Girls Clubs!"

What’s special about BGCCI?
"The percentage of kids that they impact in the Des Moines area.

The Backpack Buddies program has a huge impact. When I think that there are kids that are hungry over the weekend, it just breaks my heart.

The story that has the biggest impact on me is probably Bryce’s. Bryce, the 2008 Youth of the Year, spoke at the Old Bags event about how Boys & Girls Club saved his life. You hear Barry Griswell, President of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, say that – that Boys & Girls Club saved his life. And I feel that Boys & Girls Club does that over and over again with children. "

Involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs for: 5 years

 

Why do you care?
"Having grown up in a situation where it was hard to picture myself ever going to college, let alone law school, I really have a passion for any place or any organization that tries to show kids that there is a big world out there and that they can accomplish great things. My passion is helping kids understand what they can become. Helping model for others the way to succeed beyond their wildest dreams. "

What’s a favorite BGCCI memory?
"The first time I went to the 'Old Bags' Event with my wife and we saw a group of kids interviewing all of the guests as they walked in, and they were having so much fun. Then I asked one of them if they were having fun and she said, 'This is great, it’s like interviewing movie stars.' If the kids just keep working, keep having fun, keep seeing that they can succeed, then all kids have the potential to succeed."

Involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs for: 2 years

 

Why do you care?
"Because I want all children to have the opportunity to realize their full potential and find happiness and success in life. "

Involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs for: 4 years

 

Why do you care?
"Giving kids a chance at life is what it’s all about, and BGCCI provides that chance. Seeing Club kids move on to college and/or become successful in life shows me the importance of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa."

What’s a favorite BGCCI memory?
"My most vivid Club memory occurred while judging for our local Youth of the Year contest. The Club kids do a great job at preparing and then sharing their own personal stories, battles, challenges and successes.

Hearing about the 'family/home' environments some of the kids come from and the major hurdles they’ve overcome to be standing where they are today will bring a tear to any eye. All of the Club kids have amazing stories and should be an inspiration to us all. "

Involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs for: 6 years

 

Why do you care?
"Suzie Burt recommended me to the Board. My involvement hasn’t been huge, but we (Applied Art & Technology) help out with the “Old Bags” event every year.

I’ve seen BGCCI grow considerably since I’ve been involved, in terms of structure and management. The opening of the Levitt Center and Sam Carrell coming on board – those are certainly a few examples of how BGCCI has grown."

What sticks out to you most about BGCCI?
"I think it continues to be the impact on the kids. That’s why everybody is involved and continues to help out. "

Involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs for: 4 years