25 Years of Impacting Youth in Douglas County

Benefit Kicked Off Fundraising Efforts for New Teen Center

October 9, 2007

ATLANTA (Oct, 9, 2007) – Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) held a Benefit and Gala Saturday, Oct. 6 to celebrate the Douglas County Club’s 25th Anniversary.

The night kicked off a two-year fundraising campaign for a new teen center. Due to lack of space, the Club has to decline potential members each year and risk losing more of its teenage members. Teenagers are primary targets for gangs, drug dealers, thieves and other predators. The Club has a 51 percent retention rate, which means members who join the Club remain through high school. With a larger teen center, Douglas County Boys & Girls Club hopes to reach more of the teenage population.

“Increased drug and gang activity in Douglas County poses a great need for after school youth development programs to help teenagers escape the streets,” said David Carriker, regional vice president for Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta. “Our Club not only provides a safe haven, but we have positive, productive programs for the youth of Douglas County. We continue to devote efforts to keeping kids off the streets and out of inappropriate activities. The Club is now 25 years old and in need of expansion.”

Through naming opportunities, sponsorships and commemorative purchased bricks, the Club hopes raise enough to build the new teen center “One Brick at a Time”, the theme for the night’s event.

During the celebration, the Club honored contributions of original founders Jimmy Haddle, Aaron Hudson, Lynwood James, Billy Mayhew, Bob Pope, Bill Tinsley, Phil Powell, Rock Pursley, Robbie Robinson, Mickey Smith, John Stewart and Barbara Tinsley.

Other event participants included Mayor Mickey Thompson, honorary co-chairs Linda Worthan and Janice Thompson and emcees Captain Herb Emory and Clark Howard.

ABOUT BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF METRO ATLANTA

Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta operates 23 Clubs in 12 metro counties in addition to Camp Kiwanis and Youth Art Connection, a gallery and workspace for young artists. A trained and professional staff serves more than 17,000 youth annually by offering specialized programming and a safe haven for at-risk and underprivileged children and teens. Memberships cost only $35 per school year but scholarships are available for those who need assistance. For more information, please visit www.bgcma.org.