John Morison Chairs $ 3 Million Capital Campaign for Boys and Girls Club of Souhegan Valley

John Morison, Chair of Hitchner Manufacturing, is the leader of a $3 Million Campaign designed to raise necessary funds for the expansion project for the Boys and Girls Club of Souhegan Valley.  The purpose of the expansion is to increase the Club’s capacity to serve additional young people by adding a gymnasium and new teen center to its current facility.  The Club will also redesign existing program space to increase program impact and improve security.

Assisting John in the campaign are Paul Amato-Alene Candles, Don Brezinski-Southern New Hampshire University, Marc Chareth-Edward Jones Investments, Allise de Smet-Jay Steel, Jay Dinkel-Enterprise Bank, Lew Dokmo-Independent Defense & Space Professional, Mike Tule-McClane, Middleton, Alan Woolfson-Monarch Instrument and Seth Zeigler-BigPicWellness.

While commenting on the importance of this fundraising effort, Morison said  “a successful campaign will mean that the Club will have the added space to serve more young people in our communities, an outcome that is critically important to all of us.”

While the campaign leadership team has been meeting for almost a year, Morison announced the public phase of the campaign to a group of early donors at a reception in February.  To date the campaign has raised $2.1 million or  70% of its goal.

For more information about the planned expansion, visit www.svbgc.org or contact Susan Taylor, Executive Director, at staylor@svbgc.org.

Boys and Girls Club of Souhegan Valley Announces Major Expansion Project

3/14/2106 Milford, NH - The Boys and Girls Club of Souhegan Valley has committed to a  $3 million expansion of its Milford, NH facility. The purpose of the 13,700 square foot expansion is to increase the Club’s capacity to serve more young people by adding a gymnasium and new teen center to its current facility. The Club will also redesign existing program space to increase program impact and improve security.

The new gym will provide the space needed to provide more sports and recreational activities as well as additional programming for youth of all ages. The Teen Center, with a separate entrance and more contained space, will offer high school aged members a place to gather for social and recreational activities, leadership development and community involvement. The result will be a growth in services for older teens addressing a critical need with the increasing potential for drug and alcohol misuse facing young people today.

Ten years ago, the Boys and Girls Club of Souhegan Valley successfully built its current facility around the former Playhouse 101, home of the American State Festival.  Daily between 170 and 190 young people from Amherst, Milford, Mont Vernon and other Souhegan Valley communities are provided opportunities to develop character and leadership skills, support their academic success and adopt healthy lifestyles by participating in before school, after school, vacation, theatre and early education programs.

Groundbreaking is planned for later this spring with completion projected for sometime in late 2016.

For more information about the planned expansion, visit www.svbgc.org or contact Susan Taylor, Executive Director, at staylor@svbgc.org.

EXCEPTIONAL MILFORD TEEN WINS YOUTH OF THE YEAR HONOR FOR BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF SOUHEGAN VALLEY

Marrissa Allen to Now Vie for State Title and Scholarship

Milford, NH, March 8, 2016 – Selected among several local outstanding youth, Marrissa Allen, the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley’s 2016 Youth of the Year, will compete for the New Hampshire Youth of the Year title and a $5,000 college scholarship from Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA). The Youth of the Year program honors our nation’s most awe-inspiring young people on their path to great futures and encourages all kids to lead, succeed and inspire. As the new Youth of the Year for the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley, 17-year old Marrissa is a true example of an extraordinary young woman recognized by BGCA for her leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to live a healthy lifestyle.

“Marissa is an excellent role model for the youth we serve,” said Susan Taylor, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley. “She is dedicated to making smart and healthy choices, and passionate about justice and equality.”

A senior at Milford High School, Marrissa has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley since 4th grade. In addition to participating in Club programs, she has been an active volunteer, and now works as a youth counselor at the Club. She is a member of the National Honor Society, We the People team, and the varsity softball team. She has been described by her nominators as “intelligent, compassionate, and an empathetic leader”.  As the 2016 Youth of the Yea,r Marrissa was awarded a $1,500 scholarship from the James D’Amato Scholarship Fund.

Other nominees included Jon Merchant of Milford and Callie Cinque, Katie Osterholz, and Meghan McKnight of Amherst. Both Callie Cinque and Meghan McKnight were awarded $500 scholarships as graduating senior youth of the year candidates.

Other awards presented at the March 3^rd event included recognition for 10 years of service to Robin LaCroix and Robert “Mac” Mcilvaine, and 5 years of service awards to Sean Costello and Rod Rocheleau. The Boys & Girls Club also recognized Ciardelli Fuel for its dedication to the youth the community as the 2016 Civic Supporter, Chuck Barker as volunteer of the year, and Milford Middle School 8^th Grader Abby Forrence was named Community Champion in recognition of her work to improve the health of young people as the Fuel Up to Play 60 Ambassador.

If Marrissa wins at the state competition, she will compete for the title of Northeast Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 college scholarship, renewable for four years up to $40,000. Five regional winners will advance to Washington, D.C., in September 2016, to compete for the title of BGCA’s National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year will receive an additional scholarship of $25,000, renewable each year up to $100,000 and will have the opportunity to meet with the President of the United States in the White House.

For more information about the Youth of the Year program, visit http://www.youthoftheyear.org.

About the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley

For over 20 years, the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley (the Club) has been in the forefront of youth development in the Souhegan Valley community with a particular focus on providing opportunities for young people from disadvantaged economic, social, and family circumstances. Its mission is 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. 

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (http://www.GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,100 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 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.

Contact:

Kevin Salemi, Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley, ksalemi@svbgc.org, 603-672-1002 x23.

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