Celebrate #GivingTuesday

What is #GivingTuesday? #GivingTuesday is a global celebration immediately following Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, dedicated to giving back to charities and those who need it most.  We encourage you to celebrate this great movement and give back in one way or another. Here are just a few ways you can give on #GivingTuesday: 1) Use SMILE.AMAZON.COM for your holiday shopping. Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase to the Club. Simply type in smile.amazon.com to your browser, create a free account login or use your current amazon account, and then search for The Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley as your charity of choice.  There is no difference in sale price or product selection.  Try it! 2) Shop at Family Dollar in Milford and Donate to the Club at Checkout Family Dollar customers in Milford can make a monetary contribution at checkout to be donated to the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley this holiday season.  100% of the proceeds from this campaign will support the Club. 3) Make a Donation to the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley $2500 provides a struggling family with before and after school drop-in programs, including classes in computer technology, recreation, arts, tutoring, full summer programming and much more. $1000 provides two at-risk teens with after school drop-in programs, and 4 weeks of summer day camp. $500 provides a low-income family with camp during school vacations. $250 provides an opportunity for one child who needs us most to experience positive after school programs, or a 2-week summer day camp scholarship. Make a donation online | Print donation/pledge form 4) Purchase prints or digital images from Riverbend Alumni Company's theater productions "Cinderella" or "Anything Goes" Order prints or digital  images from "Cinderella" or  "Anything Goes" albums by December 5th, 2014 and Falling Leaf Images & Productions will donate 20% of the proceeds to the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley. View Albums to order prints. 5) Help us spread the word about our upcoming Candle Sale Fundraiser this Friday & Saturday. Proceeds from our Candle Sale will benefit two localnonprofit organizations, SHARE and the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley. High-end specialty candles will be sold at discount prices ($1- $10) on Friday December 5 from 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Saturday December 6 from, 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.  Share Candle Sale on Facebook Interested in partnering with the Club on #GivingTueday? Email Kevin Salemi at ksalemi@svbgc.org for more information.

The Riverbend Youth Company Presents SCROOGE: the Musical

Music, Lyrics and Book by Leslie Bricusse

Directed by Elizabeth Moore

Music Direction by Brian Moore

Choreography by Madison Calabria

Produced by Heidi Kerris and Robin LaCroix

Kick off your holiday season with “Scrooge: The Musical ” on Friday, November 7th & 14th and Saturday, November 8th and 15th at 7:30 pm, as well as Sunday, November 9th and 16th at 3:00 pm. Produced by the Boys and Girls Club of Souhegan Valley’s Riverbend Youth Company at the Amato Center for the Performing Arts, Milford, the cast includes local students from Amherst, Milford, Nashua, Brookline, Greenville and Pepperell, MA .Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for students and seniors, and are available online (www.amatocenter.org) and at the door. Advance purchase group rates are also available.

Featuring fifty 4th through 12th grade students, this energetic cast puts a new spin on the story of “A Christmas Carol”, as originally presented in the 1970’s Albert Finney movie musical. Traveling with Scrooge through the Past, Present and Future unveils new insights and unique connections as he searches for the resolve to begin again. 

On its surface, “Scrooge” is a jaunty, playful production where bright holiday character abounds. At its heart, it boasts a tender, much deeper side. The musical is a charming, heartwarming and lyrical while still speaking of love lost, bitterness, regret, redemption and hope. Company songs such as “December the 25th” and “Thank You Very Much” will set your toes tapping, while you may need a tissue for Tiny Tim’s vision of “The Beautiful Day” or Scrooge’s failed attempt at “Happiness”. The sweeping warmth of this beloved classic is a gift you must unwrap with the entire family during this holiday season. 

You can also help to ‘change' Scrooge by helping the cast collect loose change to buy holiday turkeys for those in need. Bring any donations to the Boys and Girls Club during office hours, or donate at the production. All donations will be delivered to SHARE in time to make Thanksgiving special for local families. Become the “founder of the feast” and we will “Thank You Very Much”! 

FAMILY DOLLAR TO MAKE THE HOLIDAYS A LITTLE BRIGHTER IN THE SOUHEGAN VALLEY

In-store giving campaign to provide funds to Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley

Milford (10/31/2014)– Every year, nearly 4 million young people are served by Boys & Girls Clubs. To celebrate these extraordinary efforts, Family Dollar Stores, Inc. (NYSE: FDO) announced that it is partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) with a four-week program called, “Open the Door for America’s Kids.”  Beginning Nov. 1, Family Dollar customers in Milford can make a monetary contribution at checkout to be donated to the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley this holiday season.

“After learning how many children are served by Boys & Girls Clubs across the country each year, we knew we wanted to lend a hand,” said Howard Levine, Chairman and CEO of Family Dollar. “We are thrilled to be teaming up with such an incredible organization, and I know that together, we can help provide a happier holiday season to many children and families across the country.”

“We are so thankful for the support from our community and Family Dollar.  The donations from this campaign will reinforce our efforts to fulfill our mission, to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to be great today and reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens tomorrow,” said Kevin Salemi, Director of Development & Marketing for the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley.

Campaign facts:

• Family Dollar stores invite customers to give $1 at the register during the month of November to benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of America
•  100% of proceeds raised at each store will benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of America
• Every $1 donation helps provide 20 minutes of after-school programming for a Club youth
• $15 helps keep a kid safe after school today              

About Family Dollar

For more than 54 years, Family Dollar has been providing value and convenience to customers in easy-to-shop neighborhood locations.  Family Dollar’s mix of name brands, and quality, private brand merchandise appeals to shoppers in more than 8,200 stores in rural and urban settings across 46 states. Helping families save on the items they need with everyday low prices creates a strong bond with customers who refer to their neighborhood store as “my Family Dollar.”  Headquartered in Matthews, North Carolina, just outside of Charlotte, Family Dollar is a Fortune 300, publicly held company with common stock traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol FDO. For more information, please visit www.familydollar.com. 

Thanks to you, we've been voted "The Best Service Organization/Club of the Souhegan Valley 2014"

On Tuesday September 30th, 2014 The Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley received The Cabinet & Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce's best of award. The award was presented as a result of a readers poll in The Cabinet papers throughout the region. Thank you for helping us achieve this great honor and congratulations to the other local businesses who received awards.

Fall Program Guide is Now Available!

Check out all of our great programs, activities, and events this fall in our 2014 Fall Program Guide!

“Penny Wars” Fundraiser Supports Healthy Snacks Program at Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley

For two weeks this summer, Camp Souhegan staff and campers were “at war”. The battle was over who could raise the most money to support a healthy snacks program at the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley.  The very successful challenge brought in nearly $500 thanks to camp counselors Evan Wandrey and Kim McNally, whose buckets received the most change. The victory was celebrated with an all-out water balloon dousing of counselors Wandrey and McNally at the conclusion of the Stop, Drop, & Read themed camp week in August.

“It was really fun to see the kids get so excited about giving back to the Club and I’m happy I could be a part of it!” said Kim.

Thanks to a donation from Centrix Bank early in 2014, the Club was able to kick-off a healthy snacks program which provided over 7,400 snacks to Club members through June. The money raised from this fundraiser will help provide apples, granola bars, and other healthy snack options through the first month of the school year. The Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley is seeking additional supporters to carry the program throughout the school year.

“Providing our members with a healthy snack after school is just one way we can promote Healthy Lifestyles, one of our top three priority outcomes for members,” stated Cory Sullivan, Program Director at the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley. “We have found that healthy snacks help our members participate more fully in our programs after school.”

Providing healthy snacks daily to the over 150 members who attend each day would be impossible without the support from fundraisers like the Penny Wars and other donations from the community. If you are interested in supporting this program or any of the other programs at the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley, please contact Susan Taylor by phone at 603-672-1002 ext. 15 or by email at staylor@svbgc.org.

CBM Cares Donates $20,000 to Boys and Girls Club of Souhegan Valley

Proceeds from Annual Luau support positive youth development programs in the community. 

CBM Board members joined by George Infanti Award recipients, Tom and Marie Grella, present a check of $20,000 to Susan Taylor, Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Souhegan Valley with the kids cheering us on!

Milford, NH – On Wednesday, July 30, CBM Cares board members presented a donation of $20,000 to Susan Taylor, Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Souhegan Valley. The check presentation was made in front of an enthusiastic crowd of Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley campers in Milford, NH. 

The donation was made from the proceeds of the 10^th Annual Pig Roast and Luau that was held on Saturday, July 19 at the Amherst Country Club.  With more than 260 people in attendance, CBM Cares raised the most money for the Boys & Girls Club at this event in CBM Cares’ history, nearly doubling last year’s donation. “We are so thankful for the support of CBM Cares and everyone who attended or sponsored this year’s event,” stated Taylor. The donation includes $7,500 to support needs based scholarship assistance, ensuring access to programs for low income families. “More families than ever are in need of financial assistance to attend summer camp. This donation comes at a critical time, ensuring access for those who need us most.”

The Luau featured dinner and appetizers provided by The Pasta Loft in Milford, rolls donated by The Great Harvest Bread Company of Nashua, while the Pig and Meats were cooked onsite by John Rowe and team from The Road Hog BBQ Shack. Frederick’s Pastries of Amherst donated a festive cake for dessert!

There were both Silent and Live Auctions, with esteemed Rotarian, Boys & Girls Club advocate and community member, Steve Desmairis as the Auctioneer.   Items included signed jerseys from respected New England athletes, 4 Red Sox Tickets, 4 Bruins tickets; Paintball outing from AG Paintball in Weare, Vertical Dreams climbing passes, SkyVenture Surf, Pipe & Fly combo, a 4 hour limo service with Amoskeag Limo, a free night stay at the Crowne Plaza of Nashua, a $100 gift certificate from Skincare by Kylee, a $100 gift card and car spa day from Contemporary Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep of Milford, a 1 month gym membership at PureLife Fitness, race certificates from Millennium Running,  4 tickets to plays at the Amato Center, Dethatching services from Custom View Property Maintenance, and more.

Entertainment for the evening donated by No Guarantees, a local Merrimack band that rocked the house til the end!  And an outstanding fireworks display by Atlas Fireworks.

Sponsors for the evening included Darrell Philpot, Advanced Internet Management, College Bound Movers, W.P. Concrete by Design, Winer CPA, Corriveau Insurance, Mike Bonacorsi, LLC., Perfect10 Nail Salon, Leighton A. White Inc., Edward Jones Investments, Keller Williams, Clark and Leighton P.C., Robert Prior, Style Salon, and Wilson, Bush, Durkin and Keefe PC.

Other services were provided by The Copy Shop in Amherst, Amherst Country Club, and Harper Point Photography in Amherst.

CBM Cares would like to thank everyone who donated their time and efforts to make the 10^th Annual Pig Roast and Luau such a success, and recognize the George Infanti Award recipients, Tom and Marie Grella, for their many years of service towards the community.

About CBM Cares

Community Business Members Cares (CBM Cares) is dedicated to supporting and sustaining the needs of other nonprofits.  The organization, run by business leaders and professionals in Southern New Hampshire, plans fundraisers and events to educate people about the mission and services of the benefitting organizations, as well as contribute financially.

Some of the nonprofits that CBM Cares has helped to support are Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Nashua and Greater Salem, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Hampshire, the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley, and City Arts Nashua.  Proceeds raised at these events are donated to the benefiting organization. 

CBM Cares Board Members include:

-        Edward Smith, Owner, College Bound Movers, Granite Clover Self Storage & MI-BOX

-        Cathy Marder, Associate Publisher, RIS News

-        Joy Barrett, Former Executive Director, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Nashua & Salem;                                             Current- Executive Director, Granite State Children’s Alliance

-        Wes Kogelman, President, AIM & BuyaTimeshare.com

-        Theresa Grella, REALTOR, The Bean Group

-        Kris Silva, Second Wind BMW Triumph

-        Jason Francoeur, REALTOR, Keller Williams

-        Mike Koutrobis, Laugh New England. Comedian, Actor, DJ

-        Scott Kelly, Controller, College Bound Movers, Granite Clover Self Storage & MI-BOX

-        Brandon Blackall, Marketing Manager, College Bound Movers, Granite Clover & MI-BOX

For more information about the donation or CBM Cares, please contact Brandon Blackall at 603-882-6683 or bblackall@collegeboundmovers.com.   

Milford-Based Teen Safety Group to Provide Leadership Training (Nashua Telegraph Article)

To view this article, please visit the Telegraph website through this link: http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/neighbors/1042550-478/milford-based-teen-safety-group-to-provide-leadership.html

Kim McNally Awarded Full-tuition Scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of America and University of Phoenix

Milford resident granted scholarship to pursue master’s program

Milford, NH, June 19, 2014 – Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), in collaboration with partners like University of Phoenix, continues its dedication to academic success and providing college readiness programs for America’s youth that will prepare them for great futures. Many adults still require additional education opportunities to pursue their career goals, and Boys & Girls Clubs alumni, parents and staff like Kim McNally are getting that chance.

McNally is one of 30 recipients nationwide to receive a full-tuition scholarship from BGCA and University of Phoenix to complete an undergraduate or master’s degree. Selected from more than 160 Boys & Girls Clubs staff, parents and alumni applicants, McNally is now one of the 80 BGCA-affiliated recipients who have received scholarships to University of Phoenix over the past two years. She joins the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley’s Executive Director, Susan Taylor, who received a scholarship last year and is currently pursuing her MBA with the University of Phoenix.

“We are pleased to once again have this wonderful opportunity for the alumni, parents and staff who remain dedicated to helping our young people achieve their educational goals,” said Susan Taylor, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley. “Through our relationship with University of Phoenix, Kim will now have the chance to pursue her career goal of a Masters in Education and continue to be a strong role model for our youth.”

To celebrate McNally’s scholarship and the academic achievements of all its members, the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley hosted an end of the school year celebration on June 19^th complete with bouncy houses and carnival games. In addition, Club alumni were welcomed back with a BBQ hosted by the Boys & Girls Club’s board members.

For more information about University of Phoenix scholarship opportunities, visit www.phoenix.edu/scholarships. For more information on Boys & Girls Clubs of America and their programs and impact on young lives across the country, visit GreatFutures.org.

Apollo Education Group, parent company of University of Phoenix, is dedicated to being a good corporate citizen by serving communities and individuals across the country. Through its corporate social responsibility efforts, Apollo Education Group focuses on giving in the areas of education, workforce readiness and sustainability. To learn more about the impact of these efforts, please visit http://csrreport.s.apollo.edu/.

About the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley

A nonprofit organization located in Milford, NH, the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley strives to help all young people develop into productive caring, responsible, citizens. To support its mission, the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley offers daily access to a broad range of programs designed to help kids succeed academically, be engaged citizens, and adopt a healthy lifestyle. Visit www.svbgc.org for more information.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,000 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native American lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at http://www.bgca.org/facebook and http://bgca.org/twitter.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help working adults move efficiently from education to careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant and engaging courses, and interactive learning can help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. As a subsidiary of Apollo Education Group, Inc., University of Phoenix serves a diverse student population, offering associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs from campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online throughout the world. For more information, visit www.phoenix.edu.

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR CAMP SOUHEGAN!

Registration is now available online for Camp Souhegan.  Don't miss out on the adventure.
Register by June 2nd for the early bird discount.

We have several great specialty camps categories including technology, creative arts, dance, theater, sports, & more!  Check them out at our camp website: http://www.svbgc.org/camp-souhegan.aspx

We'll be making videos like this all summer long! 


Camp Souhegan Does The Harlem Shake from BGC Souhegan Valley on Vimeo.
2013 was a memorable one for Camp Souhegan at The Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley. The campers made this fun rendition of The Harlem Shake one afternoon in our dance studio. Hope you enjoy it!

Scholarship applications are due by June 2nd, 2014.

YOUTH, VOLUNTEERS, AND SUPPORTERS HONORED AT YOUTH OF THE YEAR AWARDS CEREMONY

Left to Right (Megan Hammes, Jennifer Brisebois, Dan Finan) 

Dan Finan Named 2014 Youth of the Year

Milford, NH 3/26/2014 – The Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley hosted its annual Youth of the Year Awards Ceremony to celebrate members, volunteers, and supporters of the club and community on March 20th, 2014. The evening began with recognition of Jennifer Brisebois (Amherst), Dan Finan (Milford) and Megan Hammes (Milford), three teens who were nominated as Youth of the Year for their sound character, leadership abilities and the willingness to give back to their community.


Among these outstanding youth, Dan Finan was named the 2014 Norman Adams Youth of the Year, awarded with a $1,000 James G. D’Amato Scholarship.

“I can say without a doubt that the Boys and Girls Club of Souhegan Valley has made me a better person,” stated Finan, “and I couldn't be more thankful for it.”

Dan is a senior at Milford High School and has been accepted to the University of Rhode Island with plans to study electrical engineering in the fall. He’s been a member of the Club for 4 years, and first started coming to the club through the summer CIT program. Dan is a past “Youth Volunteer of the Year” and currently works as a youth counselor. He is also active in the Club’s theater program spending countless hours volunteering backstage.


In addition, finalists Jennifer Brisebois and Megan Hammes each received a $500 scholarship from the Mort Goulder Scholarship Fund to further their education. During the ceremony, Jennifer Brisebois was also named Teen Volunteer of the Year, Ray Bent of Mont Vernon was named volunteer of the year, and Civic Supporter of the Year, the Frank E. Kaley Fund, was recognized for its commitment to the Club and the youth in our community.


Youth of the Year judges, Rob Audibert, Boys & Girls Club Board Member, Officer Dan Campbell of the Milford Police Department, and Nancy Maguire, Jacques Elementary School Principal, all received recognition plaques for their part in the Youth of the Year selection process.


Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. “Dan is an amazing young man,” said Susan Taylor, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley. “He works hard to be the best he can be and sets a wonderful example for all our members.”

Dan Finan will compete against other Boys & Girls Club members in the state for the New Hampshire Youth of the Year title on May 15th in Concord, NH.


As BGCA’s premier youth recognition program, Youth of the Year recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as overcoming personal challenges and obstacles. Youth of the Year encourages Club members to reach their full potential by achieving academic success, leading healthy lifestyles and contributing to their communities. Youth of the Year honorees are shining examples and living proof that great futures start at Boys & Girls Clubs.

About Norman Adams
Norman K. Adams, a long-time Milford resident, left a gift to the Club when he passed away. Mr. Adams was well-known as someone who supported the youth in our community, acting as the "bicycle man" making sure every child had a bicycle. He drove his 1930 Model A Ford in many parades and was a member of the antique auto club. His gift created a lasting legacy that will benefit thousands of children in our community through the establishment of the Norman Adams Teen Center and Youth of the Year Award.


About James G. D'Amato
James G. D'Amato, a lifelong resident of Milford, N.H., was very active in community affairs, serving in many roles for various nonprofit organizations in the community he loved. He is remembered as a friendly man with a love for children and a commitment to the community. At the time of his death, he was involved with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua, the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley, Milford Do-it Main Street Program, the Wadleigh Memorial Library Development Fund, and as Trustee of Trust Funds Milford. The James G. D'Amato Scholarship Fund was created to continue his legacy of support, caring and unflagging commitment to the youth in our community.

9th Annual Play Festival on March 13th & 14th Features Four New Plays!

The Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley’s 9^th Annual One-Act Playwriting Workshop and Festival will have two performances, March 13 and 14 at 7:30 pm, at The Amato Center For The Performing Arts in Milford NH.

This year’s program includes four new plays written by student playwrights on the theme of Faith. The winning plays include a new comedy by Devon Labonte, a tragedy by Nicole Sprague, a historic adventure, by Gabe Garcia, and a Victorian fantasy by Gage Turgeon and Woody Stockwell. In this all-youth production, eighteen actors will play thirty-eight roles.

This unique program was created by award winning Artistic Director, Toby Tarnow, to foster creativity and support academic achievement for young people. Each year the playwriting workshop welcomes new works by grade and high school students that are submitted by mid November, according to the Riverbend School of Theater Arts guidelines and written on a special theme. The program is supported in part by a grant from The Nancy O Fund of the NH Charitable Foundation.

The festival is always a treat for cast and playwrights alike. Everyone has enormous fun creating new characters from new plays while collaborating to bring these works from the page to the stage.  The excitement in the rehearsal space is palpable and that enthusiasm always translates to the performance. Help encourage and support our young playwrights with your attendance; the final essential element of any play is the audience!

Mark your calendars! Tickets are $5 at the door. 

For more information, visit www.amatocenter.org or contact Toby Tarnow 465-3456 tobytarnow@yahoo.com

Let's Go Fly Fishing for Trout: FREE Fly Fishing Course!

"Let's Go Fly Fishing for Trout" is a series of classes designed to introduce people to the "quiet sport" of fly fishing. The classes are designed for beginners as well as people that want to expand their fly fishing skills.

There is no charge for the classes, however space is limited and pre-registration is required.  Families with children 10 years of age and older are encouraged to register and participate.

 

Class topics will include equipment, flies, cold water fisheries, strategies, fly tying and fly casting. Although the course focuses on cold-water fish (i.e. trout and salmon), the basic skills are applicable to fly fishing for bass, panfish and saltwater fish species.  All materials are provided from fly tying equipment to fly rods and reels. Classes are a combination of lecture, discussion, hands-on, demonstrations and multimedia presentations. 

A Fly Casting Instruction session for all students will be held on Saturday, May 3, from 9 - 11am at Lake Massebesic.  Rods will be provided.

The course is sponsored and supported by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department's Aquatics Resources Program's "Let's Go Fishing Program" and the Merrimack River Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Instructors are certified by the Fish and Game Department "Let's Go Fishing" program and are members of the Merrimack River Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited www.merrimacktu.org .

 

Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley - Milford, NH www.svbgc.org

March 10, 17, 24 & 31 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, led by Mary Weiss & Burr Tupper, Trout Unlimited.

To register call 603-487-5498 or email weissmarym@hotmail.com

 

The class information will be posted on www.merrimacktu.org and also the Fish & Game-Let’s Go Fishing class list.

2014 BGCA National Conference Talent Search

Want to perform at the 2014 National Boys & Girls Club Conference??

Every year, the National Boys & Girls Club organization holds a huge conference with motivational speakers, workshops and networking opportunities for management staff and executive leaders from the 4000+ Boys and Girls Clubs currently in operation.  One of the highlights of this conference happens at the closing ceremony: talented Boys & Girls Club members, chosen from hundreds of submissions, perform in the grand ballroom in front of 1000+ club staff, administration, and special guests.

For the past four years, members of the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley have been chosen to be part of this elite group of performers.  This year, we are pleased to open the search for talent to our whole membership.  We are looking for any kind of talent – dancers, rock bands, singers, comedians, jugglers, baton twirlers, ventriloquists – could be anything with up to 6 members in the group– to represent the depth of our club’s talent pool!

Submission guidelines:

·         Must be a current 2013-2014 club member

·         If selected, must be available from April 29^th – May 4^th to travel to San Francisco.

·         Must submit a video of you performing your talent – could be a YouTube link, a DVD, or a video saved to a memory stick.

·         All talent submissions must be received by FEBRUARY 20^th for consideration.

o   A completed application (http://www.svbgc.org/resources/site1/General/Forms/2014TalentSearchApplication.pdf ) must be received with each submission

o   Enter as many times as you wish – if you have many talents, show them all off in separate videos!

o   Submissions can be dropped off at the Boys and Girls Club to the attention of Kevin Salemi or email your submissions to ksalemi@svbgc.org

·         The management staff at the BGCSV will review all submissions and choose those we feel will best represent our club at the national conference. 

·         If selected, you will be contacted to come to the club and record your performance again with some lighting enhancements, etc. to try and maximize your potential of being chosen by the National selection committee.

·         A DVD of all submissions from the BGCSV will be created and sent to the National selection committee by the March 7^th deadline.  Then we all wait!

·         Around the beginning of April, those acts chosen to perform will be notified

If you have any questions, please contact Robin at rlacroix@svbgc.org

Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley Named 2014 Champion in Action for Youth Programming

MILFORD, N.H. – The Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley has been named a 2014 Champion in Action® for youth programming by Citizens Bank and the New Hampshire Union Leader. Through this initiative, the Boys & Girls Club will receive a $35,000 grant from the Citizens Bank Foundation, media coverage, and extensive marketing and volunteer support.

The award honors the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley for its strategic efforts to deepen its mission impact and reach more youth. Based in Milford, the club provides youth development through early education, before- and after-school care, theater arts, teen outreach, and summer and vacation programming. In the last three years, the organization has increased its membership by 60 percent and now serves nearly 900 children and teens. The club has tripled the scope of its financial assistance and increased unrestricted donations by $100,000, providing greater access to its programs for low-income families. The club also coordinates a community-based outreach program, Community Action for Safe Teens (CAST), which helps reduce drug and alcohol abuse among teens through education and advocacy. Through CAST, teens and adults work together to change the social norms around underage drinking and drug abuse.

 “Citizens Bank is proud to recognize the Boys & Girls Club as the newest Champion in Action for service to youth in our communities,” said Joe Carelli, President of Citizens Bank and RBS Citizens, New Hampshire. “In addition to providing a safe place for children to learn and grow, the club is a leader in addressing issues that impact children and teens. We applaud the club’s leadership for ensuring that their programs are available to those most in need.”

The Champions in Action program is part of Citizens Helping Citizens Strengthen Communities, the bank’s initiative designed to enhance quality of life and economic vitality in local communities. Launched in 2002 to recognize, support and promote nonprofit organizations for their contributions to New Hampshire communities, the program has awarded more than $1 million in grants and promotional support to 49 local nonprofits.

“It is a tremendous honor for our organization to be selected as a Champion in Action,” said Susan Taylor, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley. “We’re excited about the recognition of the importance of our mission and strategy. There are more children who need us, and we cannot serve them without the continue support from our community, and organizations like Citizens Bank and the New Hampshire Union Leader.”

For more information about the Citizens Bank Champions in Action program, visit   www.citizensbank.com/community/champions. To learn more about the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley, visit www.svbgc.org. 

"Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley Honored" Article from The New Hampshire Union Leader

Read the full story: Souhegan Valley Boys & Girls Club honored | New Hampshire Union Leader NewHampshire.com