Poised and smiling, members of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Indian River County greeted guests at the annual Angels Help Our Kids Take Flight dinner at the Corporate Air Hangar last Thursday evening. Politely shaking hands, youngsters invited everyone to pass through a setup of mock club rooms, where fellow members enthusiastically spoke about their favorite after-school and summer camp programs and activities.
The Vero Beach, Sebastian and Fellsmere club members would later entertain more than 300 attendees with songs and skits, and led the Pledge, Club Code and Invocation.
Davion Louissaint, a 13-year old Oslo Middle School student, confidently assisted Sherm Hotchkiss, BGC board co-chairman in thanking event chair Nancy Lynch, board members, Society of Angels volunteers and sponsors.
“The Angels Dinner is the most important fundraiser we have for the Boys & Girls Clubs. All scholarship money raised makes it possible for hundreds of kids in our community to spend their summer in a safe and educational environment,” said Hotchkiss. “Last year 98 percent of our kids were promoted to the next grade level and 82 percent maintained or improved their academic performance.”
Elizabeth Thomason, BGC executive director, said summer is the busiest time for the BGC, which serve 1,500 children throughout the year. Last summer, 634 children attended all or part of the 10-week, all-day camp, enjoying recreational activities while also maintaining their reading and academic skills. Funds raised at the dinner enable scholarships to the camp for those needing financial aid.
Emile Cesaire, a senior at Vero Beach High School, was named the 2015 Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year, the club’s highest honor. Cesaire, in the top 10 percent of his class and active in varsity sports, plans to attend Florida Institute of Technology to become a mechanical engineer and credits the club’s caring staff for making the experience a positive one.
“They truly care about our well-being and push us to reach our full potential,” said Cesaire. “They’ve taught us that great leadership and making the right decisions now will help us have an easier life in the future. I have learned to not give up when things get hard and to never stop believing in my dreams.”
Bill Munn, board co-chairman, happily reported that the BGC Foundation’s successful $4 million Capital Campaign goal has been met, supporting an expansion of the Vero Beach Club to serve an additional 125 children. The former jail next door will soon be demolished and a new facility with classrooms, a multi-purpose gym and playing fields should be completed by spring, 2016.
Jerry and Karol Lynch were honored as Angels of the Year. Jerry Lynch served 12 years on the board, working on the original strategic plan for future growth and helping to launch the successful capital campaign, and Karol Lynch is a Society of Angels volunteer. The couple has also enabled 46 children to participate in the clubs’ summer months reading program in partnership with The Learning Alliance.
“There is an increased need for our services as evidenced in the Indian River County Children’s Needs Assessment which shows increases in poverty and decreases in educational opportunities and outcomes,” said Lynch. “Karol and I truly believe that the Boys & Girls Clubs give children a great future.”
The guest speaker, School Superintendent Fran Adams, stressed the importance of the Boys and Girls Clubs in inspiring and motivating children to succeed, adding, “Never underestimate the difference you make in the lives of children such as these you’ve seen tonight.”
