BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF SOUHEGAN VALLEY EARNS ‘PAINTING A BRIGHTER FUTURE’ GRANT FROM THE COUNTY STORES

Milford, NH – As students across the Souhegan Valley get ready to go back to school, the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley will begin the painting the walls of its newly expanded facility thanks to a partnership with The County Stores. The Club is one of many across the nation selected to receive ‘Painting a Brighter Future’ grant.  

Every day, 11 million kids are left unsupervised after school. Boys & Girls Clubs are there to provide kids with quality after-school programming to keep them on track to academic success and a great future. More than 4,100 Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide serve nearly 4 million kids, providing resources and support after school to help kids graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrate good character and citizenship, and lead a healthy lifestyle. In the Souhegan Valley, over 800 youth a year attend programs at the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley where they interact with caring adult mentors, participate in enriching activities, and have lots of fun.  

“The beginning of school is the start of a new year for our Club. This year our new start will include a new gymnasium and teen center! Thanks our partnership with County Stores, and the support of so many companies, foundations, and individuals in our community, we will soon be able to offer more recreational and social activities for our youth members,” said Susan Taylor, Executive Director. “We are grateful for our local True Value’s support as we help Souhegan Valley-area kids build great futures.”  The Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley will use the donation to paint interior rooms in its newly expanded facility.  ‘Painting a Brighter Future’ is the signature program of the True Value Foundation, uniting True Value retailers with Boys & Girls Clubs across the country. In total, the True Value retailers will donate more than 3,000 gallons of paint to Clubs across the nation. The program also provides grants to elementary, junior high and high schools in neighborhoods nationwide.  

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. 

Golfers and Sponsors Wanted for Boys & Girls Club Golf Classic

The Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley will host its Charity Golf Classic at Amherst Country Club on Friday August 12th, 2016. All proceeds from this event go directly to the Boys & Girls Club, whose critical mission is to provide a positive programs for children and teens when they are not in school.  Registration and sponsorship information can be found at www.svbgc.org/golf.

Known for its unique games and surprises, this tournament is not to be missed! From an air cannon on hole 6, to Dunkin Donuts coffee and cookies on hole 1, and a BBQ hosted by the Happy Butcher on hole 10, golfers are sure to have a fun day on the links! Consider bringing your clients and employees, the Boys & Girls Club golf tournament is a great opportunity for customer and employee appreciation!

Golf tournament registration starts at 11:30 am with a tee off at 12:15 pm. The scramble format tournament will be followed by a dinner reception and live auction.

Contact Kate Ratta at the Boys & Girls Club at 672-1002 x12 for registration & sponsorship forms, auction item donations, or further information. Visit www.svbgc.org/golf for all the details.

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.  Visit www.svbgc.org for more information.

CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY TO THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB

Last Friday a gentleman stopped by the Boys & Girls Club and placed ten $100 bills in our donation bin. He left without a word and before anyone could thank him. Our security cameras picked up an image of someone who vaguely resembles Santa Claus without his winter beard. Whomever this anonymous supporter is – thank you! Your $1000 gift was matched and helped us get closer to our overall goal. I hope your example of giving spreads and more people join us to help change young people’s lives for generations to come!

An exciting benefit of the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley’s efforts to raise $3 million to build its new gym and teen center is a renewed appreciation about just how important our Club is to the Souhegan Valley community. I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our supporters and volunteers as we planned for the expansion and received donations to support our efforts. And the excitement of our youth members, teens, and young alumni is palatable as they eagerly await for the opportunities this expansion will provide them.

As we enter the summer months we are wrapping up our capital campaign with $700,000 left to raise. Critical choices are being made based on our ability to reach our fundraising goals. The Boys & Girls Club is a vital resource to our children and community; we need your help to increase our impact and serve even more young people. An anonymous donor is matching all new gifts up to a total of $100,000, and we’ve only achieved 10% of this matching challenge so far. Please help us take full advantage of this generous offer. Every donation truly makes a difference! Donate now or pledge your support over time. Pledges can be fulfilled over 3 years. Thank you.

For more information about the planned expansion and how you can make a donation visit www.svbgc.org or email Susan Taylor, Executive Director, at staylor@svbgc.org.

Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley Receives Donations to Improve Transportation

The Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley recently received donations from several local businesses and foundations to improve the safety and reliability of its transportation program. Contemporary Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, the Stuart S. Draper Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, HPM Insurance, and Granite Bank joined together to support the purchase of a new van used to transport children to and from the Club location on Mont Vernon Street in Milford.

“Because of the large geographic area the Club serves, and because many club members have families with two working parents, transportation is increasingly critical to fulfilling the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley’s 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” stated Susan Taylor, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley. “In addition, with our new gymnasium opening in the winter of this year we will be adding additional recreational sport programs and travel teams. This van will be critical to our ability to safely transport players. Our donors will therefore impact hundreds of children and teens in our community for many years to come.”

Photo Credit: Kevin Salemi

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF SOUHEGAN VALLEY BEGINS CONSTRUCTION

MILFORD, NH –The Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley has begun construction to expand its facility with a new gym and teen center, and recently installed a ceremonial beam signed by youth members, staff, and board members. This beam will be visible even after the gym is completed, leaving a lasting legacy honoring the youth members the club serves today, and the staff and volunteers who are helping expand the Club to serve more youth members in the future.

“It was exciting having some of our Boys & Girls Club alums back to sign the beam,” stated Susan Taylor, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley. “Many of these alums were members 11 years ago when we moved into our current facility, and never thought our dream of a gym would become a reality. Now their names are next to our Early Education members who will grow up using the new gym and teen center.”

A topping-off ceremony was held on May 23^rd to raise the ceremonial beam in place with a tree and American flag. John Siemienowicz, building committee chair and Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley board member, told those gathered about the significance of tree. “The tree is associated with the raising of a building's highest beam,” stated Siemienowiz. “This tree symbolizes the celebration of the birth of a new structure and offers good luck to future occupants. We expect that this building will be life-changing for our youth and our community.”

The Boys & Girls Club continues to fundraise to meet its $3 million capital campaign goal. Currently an anonymous donor is matching all donations through June 30^th or up to $100,000. “We have started our construction because we are confident the community will step up and support our fundraising efforts,” stated Taylor. “We need the support from all members of the community to make sure this matching opportunity is fully realized and ensure we reach our fundraising goals.” A successful end to the capital campaign will mean that the Club will have the funds needed to fully execute the expansion and facility renovations to increase program impact and security.

For more information about the planned expansion and how you can make a donation visit www.svbgc.org. To learn more about the expansion email Susan Taylor, Executive Director, at staylor@svbgc.org.

For over 20 years, the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley (the Club) has been in the forefront of youth development in our 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.  

Photo Credit: Kevin Salemi