Spring 2009 Newsletter

Boys and Girls Country NewsVolume 38, Issue 2, Spring 2009

18806 Roberts Road Hockley, Texas 77447

(281) 351-4976 Fax: (281) 351-4978

[email protected]

Donate Online!www.boysandgirlscountry.org

Inside...Page 2Waiting on a Gym...How

You Can Help!

Page 3 Honor Roll, NJHS, and

Perfect Test ScoresWe Need Your Old

Digital Camera!

Page 4 "Friend of Children"

Awards

Page 5Welcome, Returning and

New Board Members!Thank You, Deacons of

Deadwood!You're Invited to A Vision

for Children

Page 6New Dining Room

Furniture... ...After 30 Years!The Super Bowl Party!Apply Now for Our Video

Journalism Internship!

Page 7Memorials and

HonorariumsThank You, Aetna!

Page 8Order Your Spring

Festival Tickets!Wishes You Can Help Us

Fulfi ll

Enjoy New Booths!

In the new Virtual World zone, you can step up to the Dance, Dance, Revolution, Rock Star, and Wii booths...or stick to classics and compete in the Horseshoe Pitching Competition!

Win Great Drawing Prizes!

For $20, you could win your very own Wii...or a fl at-screen TV...or a trip for four to Disney World! See page 8 to order your drawing tickets today!

Also new this year...Enjoy live entertainment on two stages!

Our 33rd annual Spring Festival is on May 2nd, so mark your calendar and save the date! Fill your day with the fun of dozens of rides, a midway full of games -- virtual and real -- live entertainment, favorites like the hay ride and train ride, barbecue and funnel cakes, exciting live and silent auctions, and more! Net proceeds benefi t our children, who will serve as your hosts, giving tours and helping the event run smoothly.

Please call George O'Neal at 281-351-4976 extension 225 to donate, volunteer, or fi nd out more. You can also check out sponsorship and volunteer opportunities at www.boysandgirlscountry.org. While general admission is free, please see Page 8 to purchase lunch tickets, drawing tickets or all-day passes, or to make a donation.

We Need Your Help to Make Spring Festival a Success! If you would you like to get involved, we would love for you to:

• Volunteer. As an individual or with a group, you can sell drawing tickets, post fl yers, gather auction items, set up the venue, perform on stage, or staff a booth!

• Donate. You can be an underwriter, sponsor a booth, or donate an auction item.

• Help get the word out! Post fl yers and tell everyone you know!

Below: Ryan and Zan are on the job, from setup to sundown

SATURDAY, MAY 2 (RAIN OR SHINE) 10 AM-5 PM FREE ADMISSION

hay ride • plant sale • petting zoo • pony rides • moon walk • train ride • cotton candy • auction

Having Fun...and Waiting on a Gym

The Artsy Set

Volunteers Lynette Burns and Nicole Snyder of ArtBridge Houston bring fun art projects to our campus every week. When the gym closed, ArtBridge moved to the Education Lab, where the tables are a little too small to accommodate projects, but we are excited about having an arts and crafts room in the new building! Thank you, ArtBridge, for bringing out the artists in us!

Ballroom Dancing with Mr. Benjamin

Mr. Benjamin is one of our four volunteers from Germany this year, along with Florian, Jan, and Richard, who have committed to serve our children as part of our family for 11 months. Mr. Benjamin teaches children everything from blues dancing to the swing fox, cha-cha-cha and more -- though it's a challenge to spread out in the Community Life Building, and to hear the music over the guitar lessons in the same room. Thank you, Mr. Benjamin for teaching us, one step at a time! Below: Dancers look down at their feet as they practice -- and look forward to an aerobics, gymnastics, and dance room in the Student Life Center!

With the old gym now permanently closed, and the new Student Life Center still underway as part of our $8 million capital campaign for campus improvements, we are doing the best we can to keep our activities going, in other buildings on campus. We are grateful to our volunteers who continue to come out and teach wherever we put them! We have raised over 60% of the funds needed for the new Student Life Center and other critical campus improvements, and need help. If you would like to contribute to the capital campaign to help us complete this urgently needed building, please call Shirley Wright at 281-351-4976 ext. 214, or Elaine Petranek at ext. 219.

Guitar Lessons with Mr. Charles

Charles Barnes and his wife Colleen have been friends of our Home for about fi ve years...and Mr. Charles comes to campus faithfully every Tuesday night to teach our kids how to play the guitar. He also helped us put together a number for our choir to perform at the Heritage Award Dinner, and has a band of his own that has performed at Spring Festival. Thank you, Mr. Charles, for all you do! Below: We moved guitar lessons from the old gym to the Community Life Building. Even though we have to share a space with the ballroom dancers, we are still picking up the tabs!

All A’sAshton Brianna

Daniel N.Tanner

All A’s & B’sAllea

Audrey Austin B.Brandon Crystal Helen Jacob

Jared M.Jean Paul

Kaleb KatelynKiewan Meadow Sergio Taylor

All A’s, B’s & 1 CBrandi

Dominique Ethan

Michael Serriah

Kindergarten Caleb Harley Kaleigh Kamry

Michelle

Yes, We Did!

All A’sAshley C.

All A’s & B’sAlexandraAndrew

Ashley J.Dean

Denisha John

Jovanni Kim

Patrick Piero Raina

Rebekkah Tiffany

All A’s, B’s & 1 CAustin S.Christina George Rhonda

All A’sBrianna

Jean Paul Luke

Meadow

All A’s & B’sAllea

Ashton Brandon Daniel N.

Ethan HelenJacob

Jared M.KatelynKiewan SergioTanner Taylor

All A’s, B’s & 1 CAudrey

Austin B.Brandi

Dominique Kaleb

Michael Serriah

Kindergarten Caleb Harley Kaleigh Kamry

Michelle

All A’sAshley C.

All A’s & B’sAlexandraAndrew

Ashley J.Christina Daniel L.

Dean Denisha

John Kim

Patrick Piero Raina

Rebekkah Tiffany

All A’s, B’s & 1 CLaTasha

Fall 2008 Semester: Cumulative2nd Nine-Week

Grading Period3rd Six-Week

Grading Period

Honor Roll

Grades K-6 Grades K-6Grades 7-12 Grades 7-12

We challenged children to give their 100%...and they delivered! We kept track of the number of "100's" children in each cottage earned on tests during the fall semester. Topping the list were the boys in Cottage 8, with a total of 31 "100's" on their tests...and on the girls' side of campus...the girls in Cottage 2 blew us away with 80 "100's"! Good luck to all for the rest of the year!

The can-do attitude can get you to the White House…and on the Honor Roll! We celebrated Inauguration Day with clips of the ceremony and shared our thoughts on the day. Then we rejoiced about Honor Roll achievements for the 2nd nine-week grading period and 3rd six-week grading period…and for the entire fall 2008 semester.

Left and right: Congratulations to our Most Improved students for the fall semester, Andrew, Meadow, Christina, and Ashley!

Ashley and Tiffany were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society.... ...Congratulations to both!

The 100 Club!

Got an Old Digital Camera?

Help us capture everything from award ceremonies to recreation! Our current offi ce camera, generously donated in 2005, is not as reliable as it was. If you would like to donate a gently used digital camera good for general picture taking, including action shots and night shots, please contact Elaine Petranek at 281-351-4976 ext. 219 or [email protected].

New NJHS Members!

Friends of ChildrenAt the Annual Meeting in January, we celebrated the achievements of 2008 -- and gave thanks for all of you who made them possible! Mike Gatewood, Chair of the Board of Directors, also presented the "From the Heart" award and "Friend of Children" awards to recognize supporters who have made outstanding contributions to the care of our children.

"Friend of Children" Awards Top right: William Shrader accepted on behalf of the John P. McGovern Foundation

Far right: Geoff Long accepted on behalf of Bracewell & Giuliani

Below right: Tina Lohrke and Thelma Silva accepted on behalf of Wal-Mart Employees

Bottom right: Sam Allen, Jay McKendree, and Ricky Cook accepted on behalf of the Deacons of Deadwood

Bottom left: Karen and Frank Rosales accepted on behalf of Schulte Building Systems

Right: Barbara McCelvey and Laura Daughtrey accepted on behalf of St. Francis Episcopal Church

Below: Dick Richards, accompanied by his friend Robert Fisher, received the "From the Heart" award

You’re invited to take a tour of our Home and learn more about the children we serve – and how your support helps us to raise them. Bring only an open heart and a friend. We’d like to host at least ten people at each of our upcoming sessions:

A Vision for Children

Saturday, April 4Saturday, June 14Saturday, July 1110:00-11:00 am.

Everyone is welcome!

You do not need to RSVP, but if you would like for us to know you’re coming, please visit our website at www.boysandgirlscountry.org and click on "Register Now". You can also fi nd future Vision for Children dates on the site under “Events”.

More Friends, New and Old!We welcomed fi ve new board members to our family (below), along with returning board members Scott Galloway, Robert Livingston, Don Nyberg, and Scott Wegmann. All join us in our mission to raise children. We are grateful to each for their commitment of time, energy, and talent it takes to be a part of this big, loving family!

Michael BennettGrant Thornton LLP

Cynthia WalkerGoldman, Sachs & Co.

Rodney EadsPride International, Inc.

Thank You, Deacons of Deadwood!

The Deacons of Deadwood is a group of bikers with a lot of heart for our children. Their annual Charity Ball has benefi ted our children for the past four years, and we are grateful for all that they do to make the event a success! Last year, even though Hurricane Ike tried to crash the party, their event raised $45,000 toward the care of our children! Thank you, Deacons, for rallying around our children! Below: The Deacons rode out to campus to present us with a check, greeted at the fence by our children, who welcomed them with cheers and signs.

John SullivanWatt Beckworth

Thompson & Henneman, L.L.P.

Brian McCabeMorgan Stanley

Around Campus

After 30 years of use by busy, active households of eight children, our dining room furniture -- though built well -- fi nally wore out. For years, we repaired the pieces, but the wood, brittle with age, could take no more.

Because of generous friends, including Houston Junior Woman's Club, The Robert W. & Pearl Wallis Knox Foundation, and Spindletop Charities, Inc., we were able to replace our worn dining room furniture with sturdy new solid wood tables and chairs. Thank you!

New Dining Room Furniture!

Lights, Camera, Intern!

Apply Now!

Above: Cottage 1 gathers for dinner around their new dining room table

If you're a college student headed toward a career in broadcast journalism, fi lm, or related fi elds, and are looking for a life-changing internship working with our kids, we want you to spend this summer as our Video Journalism Intern! You'll teach kids to capture stories on fi lm...edit their work...and present fi nished projects, from newscasts to short fi lms!

Please contact Matt Meares, Campus Activities Manager, at 281-351-4976 ext. 213 or at [email protected] for details.

Thank you to the ExxonMobil Community Summer Jobs Program for making this internship possible!

Below: A jumble of irreparably broken tables and chairs is all that remains of our original dining room furniture from the 1970s

We moved the party -- and the arcade games, video games, lounge chairs, food, and screens -- from the old gym to the Community Life Building, and had a great time with friends. Right: Ashley and Evan play a mean game of foosball. Below right: James visits the makeshift concession stand where Audrey serves up the pizza and drinks. We are looking forward to having a real concession stand in the new Student Life Center! Below left: Tiffany and Suzie kick back with music and snacks

Super Bowl Party!

In Memory Of Received January 1 - January 31, 2009

In Honor Of Received January 1 - January 31, 2009

Includes gift(s) made to the Boys and Girls Country Endowment Fund

You can make your next tribute gift securely online at www.boysandgirlscountry.org. Click on "Donate Now"

AIG Home Offi ce Workers’ Compensation Claims Department

M.W. & Jill Hart McDaniel

Reg Brockwell - Birthday

Jennifer BrockwellBill CoskeyKeyBanc Capital

Markets

Marguerite Hillegeist - Birthday

Edgar & Carolyn Reeves

Sue Johnson - Birthday


Evelyn Romund – Birthday


Martha Wiebe – Birthday

Patti & Ralph Hockett

Louise BengePeggy BradenDorothy Reisner

ClarkEdgar & Carolyn

ReevesVirginia Christian

CrissMargaret ForganKateva Annette Dellis

DoerferJim & Pat IngramLeslie DunnConnie FreemanMr. & Mrs. Craig

MoeckleyAndrew Jackson

“Jack” Evans, Jr.Vance & D.H. ArnoldBeverly Ann BaechtelJohn BaileyWillard & Nell

BaumanJerald & Judy BeeneLeRoy & Lois BrowBetty CearleyMr. & Mrs. Miller

EkasJohn & Joyce GarnerKenneth & Peggy

Gauntt

Kateva Annette Dellis Doerfer (cont'd)

Mr. & Mrs. William Hammock

Theresa HerbergerJudy & Mickey

HerrmannGrant & Marlene

HollandRon & Becky HowardMiriam KnoebelW.J. & Lynne

LesmeisterAlton & Kathryn

McClungKent & Thyra MizeMr. & Mrs. Gordon

MorrisMary & Dick

SchneiderThe Seekers Class –

First Baptist ChurchLois SlatonVirginia WallaceSister of Carolyn

FaulkJim & Ruby

BloodworthWilliam “Bill”

FolsomDoris O’Reilly

Gene (Sam) Higginbotham

Fred & Lynn BassettTommy & Jo F. MaysMary Elizabeth &

David ReavisJohn & Amy RyersonRichard & Johnece

RyersonClassmates of South

Park High School Class of 1947

Julia WitheringtonLouis James “L.J.”

JonesLinda GibsonDerek, Stacey, Derek

Jr. & Jordan HebertDon & Martha JuddShirley LarkinNicholas & Dorothy

MartineJeanna MontgomeryAlisa Adams-SaenzThe Schneider FamilyJeff & Pam

ZimmermanKay KilpatrickDon & Belle DawsonLeroy LongElsie Mae Vicknair

Dudley LoweryCharlie & Nan AustinEugene A. MachaBarbara BrownAnn MurphreyVirginia Crowson

Eunita PaceMr. & Mrs. Doug LuskPlato James PappasJim & Mary BellosBenchmark Hospitality

InternationalKatherine & Andrew

CafcalasMr. & Mrs. Nick

CassimatisScott & Pamm ColemanMargo & Chris

FusselmanScott & Katherine

GallowayDr. George Gaines &

Rita DeClarisThe Gianakopoulos

FamilySusan HillHolliday Fenoglio

FowlerTerrell & Nancy KingNicholas LegatosDr. & Mrs. Harold

Miller

Plato James Pappas (cont'd)

Anna PayavlaMarcus PayavlaEvelyn PoulosJohn & Sharyn SporarBessie Thomas &

FamilyUtility District

Advisory Corp.Herb & Barbara WardFrank PenningtonJohn & Cynthia

BirdsongRosemary RiceEdgar & Carolyn

ReevesNellie RoyGeorge PolkBill SikoraLarry & Mary Alice

GormanQuintes W. Stark, Sr.Dennis Alexander &

Shirley WrightBoys & Girls Country

StaffDick & Elaine

PetranekAnnie WellsTom & Jane Liles

Thank You, Aetna!The Aetna Foundation has been a supporter of our children's healthcare program for several years and we are deeply grateful to them for continuing to support our children in 2009! Right: Jeff Bernhard, our local Aetna representative, presents the check to Ms. Elaine

Boys and Girls Country of Houston, Inc.18806 Roberts RoadHockley, Texas 77447

Address Service Requested

NON PROFIT ORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 11163HOUSTON, TEXAS

WISH LISTSpring

Our Education Department Needs:Core Knowledge K-8 Sequence Book"What Your __ Grader Needs to Know" Core Knowledge Series3-Ring Binders & Dividers

Our Clothing Closet Needs: In all sizes, except where indicated:Plus-Size Girls' ClothingNo-Show Socks (White & Black)Girls', Boys', Women’s, and Men’s Casual Shoes and Tennis Shoes, including “Skater” Tennis Shoes (Men’s 7 & Up)Boys' & Men’s Boxers, Boxer Briefs, Tank Undershirts, and Regular UndershirtsGirls' & Women's Bras & Training BrasGirls' & Women's Hipster PantiesGirls' & Boys' Sleepwear (all ages)

Our Commissary Needs:Cake MixJell-OFabric SheetsCrackersJelly – Grape & StrawberryRotel TomatoesHealthy SnacksCanned FruitCharcoal

Our Cottages Need:Gladware or Tupperware (all sizes) All-in-One Remotes Crock Pots Heavy Plastic Cooking Utensils Large Area RugsSmall Stereo SystemsKitchenAid Counter Mixers

Our Activities Department Needs:Tickets to Cultural & Sporting Events Xbox 360 Console, Controllers, & Games

Our Maintenance Department Needs:Conventional Stoves (electric) Gas Powered Weedeaters (Stihl FS 55 and Stihl FS 80)

Full list at www.boysandgirlscountry.org Click on "Donate" and "Fill a Wish List"

Order Your Tickets for Spring Festival!May 2, 2009, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

(General Admission is Free)

Please send me ________ Kids All Day Event Pass(es) at $15 each Please send me ________ Barbecue/Hamburger Ticket(s) at $6 each Please send me ________ Drawing Ticket(s) at $20 each (1 free Barbecue/

Hamburger Ticket included with each Drawing Ticket) I cannot attend but would like to donate $______________

Name________________________________________________

Address_______________________________________________

City________________________ State______ Zip_____________

Phone________________________

Email____________________________________________________________

Signature______________________________________________

Enclosed is my check in the amount of $_______________ made payable to Boys and Girls Country

Please charge my: VISA MasterCard American Express Discover

Account Number: ________________________________________

Amount $_______________ Expiration Date _________

If you would like to make a donation, sponsor a booth, or volunteer please contact George O'Neal at 281-351-4976, extension 225, or by email at [email protected]. Or, visit us online at www.boysandgirlscountry.

Spring 2009 Newsletter

Documents

Transcript of Spring 2009 Newsletter