FROM THE CHIEF PROFESSIONAL OFFICER
The Boys & Girls Club of Allentown continually seeks out community partnerships that will advance our mission of enabling all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
I am pleased to report that last summer, we entered into a new endeavor with the Allentown School District's McKinley Elementary School and United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley to establish another Community School in the Allentown School District (ASD), on-site at McKinley Elementary School. As the lead community agency, BGCA hired Ms. Amy Jahn de Torrez to facilitate the Community School at McKinley and develop opportunities to meet the basic physical, mental, and emotional needs of students and families. She works closely with Principal Rick Kern and the McKinley Team that is comprised of the administrative staff, parents, teachers, United Way, Rodale Press and community representatives.
We continue to successfully coordinate the model Community School at Roosevelt Elementary that was implemented in fall 2005. This was the first one established in the Allentown School District, again in partnership with the school and the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley. Ms. Katherine Jackson is our Director there and interacts with Principal Heather Bennett and the Roosevelt Leadership Team. In 2006, we became the lead partner in second Community School in the ASD at Central Elementary. Our Director there is Ms. Yadira Castanon who works closely with Principal Jeff Fries and the Central Connections Team. Based on our involvement and daily presence in the schools, BGCA has designated Roosevelt and Central as Extension Sites with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, resulting in us providing BGCA programs to all of the students.
All three of these collaborative efforts, consisting of multiple partnerships that include other community-based organizations, businesses, universities, and city agencies, are creating quality Community Schools with additional after school academic, social, and recreational programs for students and their families.
Community Schools are making a difference in our community and BGCA is proud to be part of this endeavor. Great Futures Start Here!
Deborah Fries-Jackson
Dave Lobach Honored In November
BGCA's Twenty-Third Annual Benefit Dinner Dance was held on Saturday, November 12th at The Inn at Bear Creek. We are pleased that this year, BGCA long-time supporter, friend and community leader Dave Lobach was honored that night. As President and CEO of Embassy Bank, Dave has provided valuable assistance on multiple levels to our organization, enabling us to offer quality programs and services to our members. In addition to generous financial support over the years, Dave has encouraged each of the seven Embassy Bank branches to choose a holiday and donate all the supplies for a fun-filled celebration. At Christmas, several Embassy Bank employees "adopt a child" at our Cumberland Gardens Clubhouse and provide wonderful gifts for so many. The smiles and excitement on the faces of our young children are truly memorable. We greatly appreciate all Dave and Embassy Bank have done for BGCA and were delighted to recognize his valuable contribution at our Annual Dinner Dance.
BGCA would like to acknowledge our key sponsors for the evening and thank them for their partnership. They included:
- Platinum Level - PPL Services Corporation
- Gold Level - The Air Products Foundation
- Silver Level - Computer Aid, Inc.
- Bronze Level - Univest Bank & Trust Company
Many thanks to the Dinner Committee of our Board for their hard work in planning such an elegant evening! They are: Liz Ortiz (Chairperson), Mark Aurand, Jason Barnes, Pam Handwerk, Patrick Loughlin, Ted Lyons, Brenda McGlade, Debbie Morgan, Steve Russo, Anthony Scarcia and Barbara Wood.
Music was be provided by the fabulous Air Products Band "The Difference". Proceeds support the many programs and services we provide for our members.
Holiday Wish List
The Christmas holidays will be here before we know it! We rely on many individuals, businesses and organizations to help us provide gifts for our members. If you would like to help us out below is a sample list of the type of items we distribute.
- Toys - dolls, Legos, puzzles, Uno, etc.
- Art supplies and craft kits
- Socks for children, ages 5-18
- Underwear for children, ages 5-10
- Bath and Body products for our teens
We also accept monetary donations to purchase these items. You can drop your present off at any Clubhouse location. Please contact Deb Fries-Jackson at 610-432-9944 for more information.
Your Donation Made Easy
Did you know that you can make your donation to the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown directly through our website? On the first page of this website, in the left hand column, simply click on "DONATE" and you will be taken to a page where you can safely and securely enter your credit card information. It is simple and easy. Your generosity will support the many programs and services we provide our hundreds of BGCA members!
The Bon-Ton Stores Spreads Holiday Cheer!
For the ninth year in a row, The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. (and it nameplate stores) is generously partnering with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to spread joy this holiday season and throughout the year. This winter, get warm with an adorable plush polar bear or a moose...or both! They make great gifts for the young and young-at-heart AND 10% of sales locally will benefit our Clubs. During the months of November and December, you can support BGCA by purchasing one of these cute cuddly critters for only $14.00 each in store or online at http://www.bonton.com/shop/home/holiday-shop.
Photo Gallery
Click here to view our photos.
Make Your M.A.R.K.™ Is An EITC Program
Please remember that PA businesses receive tax credits by supporting the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown's Make Your M.A.R.K.TM (Motivated Academically Ready Kids) under the Department of Community & Economic Development Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program.
Any type or size of business that pays various PA taxes is eligible. The great thing about the EITC program is that businesses decide where their tax dollars go. All of funds received by BGCA stay right here in the Lehigh Valley.
This fall we have seven Make Your M.A.R.K.TM locations: BGCA's Teen Center, Turner Street Clubhouse and Sixth Street Clubhouse; Allentown Sheridan, Roosevelt and Central Elementary Schools; and Bethlehem Calypso Elementary School. Youth are actively engaged twice a week during the school year in math and reading/language arts enrichment. The educational materials that are used align with the Allentown School District standards and the Pennsylvania standards for teaching. Our materials include assessments from the PA Standards Aligned System for 3rd grade to 12th grade and from Study Island for 1st and 2nd grade.
I would like to thank all our past EITC contributors and other organizations, foundations and businesses that support Make Your M.A.R.K.TM. For more information, contact Pat Johnson at 610-432-9944.
Board Of Directors Update
At our Board of Directors Annual Meeting in May, the following officers were approved for the 2011 - 2012 year.
Chief Volunteer Officer - Anthony Scarcia, Jr.
Vice President - Elizabeth Ortiz
Vice President - Paul Barbehenn
Treasurer - Jason Barnes
Secretary - Gail Miller
We wish to extend a very special "THANK YOU" to outgoing Board members, George Bitto, Mary Claire Megargle and Glenn Thomas who left our Board this year. Their contributions have been greatly appreciated.
Welcome to new Board members Mark Aurand from the law firm of Davison & McCarthy, P.C., and Patrick Loughlin from Air Products & Chemicals. We look forward to their involvement and support.
Spotlight On Staff
I thought it would be helpful for our readers to know more about who our dedicated professional youth development staff is that work every day with our youth. To start this off in this newsletter, I would like to acknowledge key BGCA staff from each site. Future newsletters will highlight other dedicated personnel.
Sixth Street Clubhouse - Nayab Khan
Turner Street Clubhouse - Johanna Figueroa
Cumberland Gardens - Elise Bartholomew
Teen Center - Charles Scheibener
Little Lehigh - Meggan Savacool
Roosevelt Elementary School - Katherine Jackson
Central Elementary School - Yadira Castanon
McKinley Elementary School - Amy Jahn de Torrez
Make Your M.A.R.K.TM - Jennifer Arthofer
What Can You Do?
Picture this: a Boys & Girls Club of Allentown so fiscally solid from a pool of planned gifts like yours that no child is denied service, ever.
While we are currently in excellent financial shape, we have many kids on waiting lists like Make Your M.A.R.K.TM (Motivated Academically Ready Kids). By remembering the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown in your will or estate plan, you create a lasting legacy that has a powerful impact on the lives of young people of our community.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Gifts of cash build our foundation, as do gifts of securities. Both types of gifts provide tax deductions and gifts of appreciated securities and property also save the donor from paying capital gains taxes. Life income gifts are gifts where you assign cash, securities, property or other assets to the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown. They are then invested to pay a lifetime percentage or fixed amount to you and/or anyone you designate monthly, quarterly or semi-annually. Some people have heirloom properties that they wish to keep in the family but can afford to donate the cash flow from such properties to ensure the ideals they value are perpetuated and to enjoy tax relief today. Naming the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown the beneficiary of a life insurance property is another wonderful way to leverage your gift.
Legal or financial advisors can best help you determine the vehicle most advantageous and appropriate for you. Doing well and doing good go hand in hand! We invite you to explore with us the many sides of your own planned giving and the meaning your personal philanthropy can have for both you and our future! To maximize tax benefits, make your charitable contribution before the end of the year. For more information call Pat Johnson at 610-432-9944.
Alumnus Andre Reed Donates Golf Proceeds
Former professional football star, Andre Reed, who played for the Buffalo Bills, was a graduate of Dieruff High School and a former member of the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown. He generously donated a portion of the proceeds ($10,000) from the Andre Reed Celebrity Golf Classic that was held last July 18th and a bumper pool table to BGCA. We greatly appreciate his wonderful generosity!
A Special Thank You
A special thanks to the 11 great volunteers from Highmark Blue Shield and United Health Care who helped sort and deliver our beautiful mums for BGCA's annual fall flower sale on September 22nd. We greatly appreciate all your hard work!
BGCA Grants
Marh 15, 2011 - October 31, 2011
The Bank of America Charitable Foundation
Ross Born Family Charitable Trust
The Century Fund
Computer Aid
Crayola
The Donley Foundation
Dwyer Holdings Corporation
First Presbyterian Church
Charles & Leona Gruber Foundation
Leona Gruber Charitable Trust
Just Born
Keystone Nazareth Charitable Foundation
Kistler-Tiffany Foundation
Sylvia Perkin Perpetual Charitable Trust
The Rider-Pool Foundation
Bill Sugra Memorial Fund
Harry C. Trexler Trust
Verizon
Waste Management & Processors, Inc.
FALL 2011
Back to School
Wish List from
our members:
Pencils/Pens
Crayons
Colored Pencils
Notebooks
Backpacks
Erasers
Scissors
Glue Sticks
Calculators
Flash Cards
