Monday, December 30, 2013

The Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley's Top Ten Moments of 2013

2014 is just on our doorstep, and we're excited for the new year, but we can't forget the great accomplishments and highlights of the last 12 months.  That is why we've gathered, in chronological order, a top ten list of the most memorable moments at the Club in 2013...

1) 101 Dalmatians... 154 Cast Members
Photo Courtesy of Rick Lopez
In January, our Riverbend Youth Company put on an amazing production of 101 Dalmatians at The Amato Center for The Performing Arts.  True to its name, the show welcomed over 101 talented little cast members.  As a matter of fact, with a count of 154, the show broke the record for most cast members in a Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley production (and a record for all shows put on in the theater to date).  The production also broke a record for highest ticket sales... which would later be broken by our fall production of The Sound of Music.  Read the full story

2) Marketing And Communications Award
Early in 2013, the Club was selected from over 4,000 clubs as a recipient of a Marketing and Communications Award from Boys & Girls Clubs of America for its efforts in marketing the 2012 Annual Auction Fundraiser.  The Club was recognized for its accomplishment at the 2013 Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Conference in Orlando, FL.



3) Members Perform In Orlando, FL
In May, eight extremely talented members were selected to perform at the 2013 Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Conference in Orlando, FL.  This was the fourth consecutive time our members were selected from over 4,000 other clubs.  While at the conference, they performed in front of more than 2,000 Club professionals from around the country.  They also had the pleasure of meeting Major League Baseball star Ken Griffey, Jr. See the photos

4) Camp Souhegan, A Summer To Remember
What a summer we had here at the Club!  Not only did we see a record number of campers with 366 total, we had a record number of specialty camps (39), hosted over 215 campers on a single day (another record), and even recorded our very own version of the popular Harlem Shake video (check out our social media pages and we might just share it with you). See the photos


5) Cory & Raven Get Slimed
During 2013's Camp Souhegan, our staff challenged each other and campers to a "Penny War"... an all-out battle to raise money and bring former NBA player and inspirational speaker, Chris Herren, to the Amato Center to speak about his battle with drug and alcohol abuse.  The very successful challenge brought in over $800 thanks to the popularity of Program Director, Cory Sullivan, and Art Coordinator, Raven Gaudreau, whose buckets received the most change.  The campers were rewarded for their accomplishment by sliming the two staff members at the conclusion of the camp week and Chris Herren was successfully booked for the speaking engagement.

6) Chris Herren: Stand Up For A Great Future
Early in September, over 300 people, 153 of them teens, filled the Amato Center to hear former NBA player, Chris Herren tell his emotional story about battling drug and alcohol abuse.  In the words of editor Robert Michaelson, "His story of pain and redemption struck a chord with the young audience, and even their parents. It could be felt in the gasps and the tear-filled eyes throughout the crowd."  The Milford Hospital Association, Bellavance Beverage Company, Inc. and the members of the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley sponsored the event alongside support from Community Action for Safe Teens and the Milford Police Department. See the photos  | Read the full story

7)  Club Receives Corporate Fund Award

In September of 2013, the Club was selected as a recipient of The Corporate Fund Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management. The award was presented at the New Hampshire Center for Nonprofits' annual Leadership Summit held in Concord.  The award is given in honor of Walter J. Dunfey, a noted New Hampshire businessman and philanthropist, who helped establish The Corporate Fund. For over 30 years, The Corporate Fund has presented the award annually to nonprofit organizations demonstrating exemplary management practices.  Read the full story

8) Food Drive For SHARE
In November, we challenged our members to raise 1,000 food items for SHARE Outreach in only two weeks.  With just a few days left to bring in items, we saw a surge in donations from our members and community supporters.  When all was said and done, we delivered over 1,300 food items to SHARE just in time for the holidays.  See the photos




9) Breaking Records With The Sound of Music
In November of 2013, our Riverbend Youth Company took their talents to the next level and saw record ticket sales once again.  Not only was the show a major success, but we were also successful in implementing online ticket sales for the production.  You can check out www.amatocenter.org for online tickets to our upcoming January show, Alice in Wonderland.

10) Most Successful Auction EVER!
Thanks to our donors, sponsors, and supporters, our 13th Annual Auction Fundraiser was our most successful event ever!  The auction was held right here at the Club on November 23rd, 2013.  During the event we saw an amazing display of generosity from our guests.  We are so very grateful for their support and dedication to our mission. 




Think we missed one?  Let us know!  www.facebook.com/svbgc