The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta recently gifted Madison-Morgan Boys & Girls Club a $5,000 grant to be used for its BE GREAT Graduate program.
Dancing with the Madison Stars Kicks Off!
Oglethorpe Power donates $3k to Walton County Boys & Girls Club
PNBGC Participates in Elks Lodge Soccer Shoot Out
PNBGC dinner program kicks off
Liz Huntley Speaks Moves Madison
Moonlight & Motown 'Boogie for a Cause'
BGCNCG hosts fall Safety Training for staff & volunteers
Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia recently held an organization wide safety training session for staff and volunteers at its Walton County Club location. Staff and volunteers were provided with educational tools to determine the best course of action regarding safety measures for the youth who attend BGCNCG Clubs.
A review of BGCNCG safety regulations, which is upheld and guided by Boys & Girls Clubs of America, was provided by Karen Robertson, Senior Executive Club Director for Madison-Morgan Boys & Girls Club.
“The safety of our youth is our No. 1 priority in providing safe spaces for our youth to learn, grow and prosper into young adults,” Karen Robertson shared. “It was a delight to also be facilitating this training alongside a Boys & Girls Clubs of America representative, who’s purpose it to monitor, give feedback and provide resources for us to utilize at our Clubs.”
Bob Mackey, President and CEO of BGCNCG, closed out training by giving the staff and volunteers a talk about teamwork and commitment.
“I’m so proud of the team we have for BGCNCG. Changing a child’s life starts with these individuals who see our youth day in and out at our Clubs,” he shared. “We truly strive for excellence in our commitment to the youth, which is why training is such a vital way of being successful at impacting the youth of North Central Georgia.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia serves Morgan, Greene, Putnam, Jasper and Newton Counties. To learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia, visit www.bgcncg.comor call 770-267-8034.
Liz Huntley to 'change lives' with Sept. 18 event
When Madison resident Ashley Hunt first heard Liz Huntley speak she knew that Madison had to experience this woman’s story.
“It’s life changing – but it also is the story of the youth we serve at Madison-Morgan Boys & Girls Club,” she shared. “It’s the story of how going the extra mile does indeed save lives.”
As soon as she left the speaking engagement where Huntley was presenting, Ashley called up her MMBGC board and the planning began for the Liz Huntley Speaks event to be held Sept. 18 at the James Madison Inn.
Huntley, a Birmingham Lawyer and child advocate, penned down her personal experiences where those who went the extra mile saved her life.
Her book “More Than A Bird” talks about her Boys & Girls Club membership, church and teachers who went over and beyond to impact her life.
“That’s a message I am hoping will reach others in Madison,” Hunt said. “If we all do a little something. We can make a different in a life.”
And Huntley’s story isn’t an easy one.
From losing her mother to suicide to her dad being in jail, Huntley was faced with struggles she didn’t have any control over at a very young age. A parallel, Hunt says, several Club youth experience.
Since the Club opened in 2008 Hunt has been giving her time to the Club’s youth. “I wrote a check, reached out and said I'd love to be on the board,” she said. “This all stemmed from growing up with my dad who was always a mentor. He instilled in me to be involved in your community.”
Hunt says she believes in doing what “we can to instill in our children to be good people. I just think we are all liable. We are all responsible to help a child become a successful adult.”
When it comes to supporting the Club, this event is a two-fold effort.
“Attend the event because Liz Huntley will touch your life, inspire you and you’ll leave with a smile on your face,” Hunt says. “But what you’ll also do is continue to put smiles on the children’s faces we serve, who are all too familiar with parts are all of Huntley’s story.”
“Our Club is a place where our youth go after school to learn, grow and have fun in safety.
We are striving to make a difference in a child's life - that’s what it's all about. That’s Liz Huntley's whole philosophy and it works for her. It can work for our children - we just have to go the extra mile.”
To learn more about Liz Huntley Speaks visit or call 706-342-1117.
Pete Nance Duck Derby Winner Claims Golf Prize
Duck Derby Winner Gives Funds to Local Club
“Do you think your rubber duck will be the winner” was a common question heard at Porterdale’s Yellow River Park Saturday, June 30, as folks enjoyed the Duck Derby festival hosted by Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia.
The event benefited the over 1,500 youth BGCNCG serves throughout the year.
Several attended the event to watch over 3,000-rubber ducks float along the Yellow River in a race for $10,000 at the finish line.
Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia’s summer fundraiser was a first for Porterdale and the organization. But, that didn’t stop partakers from waiting in long lines to try their hand at adopting a rubber duck for the grand prize.
“The City of Porterdale was honored to partner with the Boys and Girls Club in the Duck Derby for the North Central Clubs and support raising funds for programming and facilities for youth in the region,” Josephine Kelly, Downtown Development Director, said. “As noted by Mayor Arline Chapman, in her welcome to the attendees at the derby, the health and well-being of the young people in the community is of special importance to everyone who supported and participated in the derby. Porterdale looks forward to working to build an even bigger derby in 2019.”
The festival filled the park with inflatables, yard games, face painting, a STEM activities booth, Porterdale’s law enforcement and fire department activities tent, an array of food and plenty of live entertainment.
Pam Dickerson, Georgia House Representative for Newton County, spoke about the community impact that Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia provides and her excitement around Newton County becoming the newest Club under BGCNCG.
“I’m so glad to be here today, as there is nothing more important that our children,” she shared.” “The Boys & Girls Clubs have been around for over 100 years and to have that influence here in Newton County will be such a reward for our children.”
Newton County Commissioner Nancy Shultz, who is heavily involved for Newton County Boys & Girls Club echoed Dickerson’s excitement.
“Everything we are doing here today is to benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia, which will be opening a Club here in Newton County for our teens,” she said. “We have the opportunity to create spaces where youth can explore who they desire to be without distraction or negative influence. I’m excited for the Club’s future here in Newton County.”
Shultz continued by saying how thankful we are of the community collaboration between Boys & Girls Clubs and the city of Porterdale for making this event possible. “Our chief of police Jason Cripps ensured the safety of our residents and spectators, as well as providing wonderful family oriented activities for the community,” she said.
As the duck launch approached, spectators made their way to the riverbank to watch the race. A large gasp from the crowd and cheers could be heard as the ducks dropped into the Yellow River for the race of a lifetime.
Once the finish line was crossed, no one was prepared for the act of kindness that would take place from the grand prize $10,000 winner.
Walton County resident Dr. Kimberly Locklin purchased five tickets a few weeks prior to the event. When there is an event that benefits her Walton Club, Locklin says she immediately purchases tickets or donates.
“I truly didn’t know the extent of the prizes,” she shared. “I knew that the money would be circulating back into the hands of our local Club and so I always participate in giving back to provide resources for our youth here.”
Locklin received a call the following day after the event from Bob Mackey, BGCNCG CEO & President, to inform her she had just won $10,000 from Duck Derby.
Her immediate reaction – donate it all to Walton County Boys & Girls Club.
“I was of course shocked, but automatically knew that giving this money to the Club – where it’s needed most – was the right answer,” she said.
No stranger to Boys & Girls Club’s programming, Locklin had consistently donated her time over the past 8 years to the Walton Club and said she knows first hand the work the Club does is “live saving.”
Locklin shared, “If we want to improve our community, we have to increase the number of youth in our Clubs. These at risk youth get the educational support they need and more importantly they instill characters that help youth see they can be successful in life.”
“It takes a village and we just need the resources to continue raising that village, so I’m glad that I could provide that today,” Locklin said when she returned her check to Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia.
Michael Geoffroy, Newton County Boys & Girls Club advisory board chair, was over the moon with excitement at Locklin’s generous gift for the Walton Club and the “big step” Duck Derby offered the Newton County Boys & Girls Club’s future.
“It was amazing to see the community come together to help us move closer to opening the doors to our Newton Boys & Girls Club,” he said. “Duck Derby was such a success because of the belief the community has in our future here through all of our donors. This is such a major step in serving the children of Newton and changing lives together.”
For Bob Mackey this is what makes this work all worthwhile.
“Community members like Kimberly are the definition of what bright futures look like,” he said. “Those characteristics of the individuals who donate, give their time and resources to our Clubs are the same core characterizes we are instilling in the youth we serve every day. The gift she’s decided to give our youth will continue to create ripple affects in these youth’s lives for years to come.”
Locklin wasn’t the only winner from Duck Derby!
Overall, the event was a huge first-time success for BGCNCG.
“We do this work so that the youth we serve continue to have a safe place to learn, grow and prosper into productive citizens,” Claude Grizzard, Corporate Board Chair said. “I’m continually amazed by the communities we serve, who time after time give toward our cause. Without your efforts, we couldn’t continue to create great futures here in North Central Georgia.”
Mackey added, “that without great sponsors, such as presenting sponsor Canon, Amici, Donut King, The Oaks Golf Course, Alexander, Almand, & Bangs
and the City of Porterdale for hosting – this event wouldn’t have been as successful.”
“The real winners of this event are our youth!”
Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia serves over 1,500 youth in North Central Georgia.
If you’d like to learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia or are interested in getting involved on a local level, visit www.bgcncg.com or call 770-267-8034.
Liz Huntley Speaks Coming to Madison!
MMBGC hosting Inspirational Speaker Sept. 18
Local American Idol Finalist Performing
This September Madison and surrounding communities have the unique opportunity to be uplifted with inspiration while also giving inspiration to the youth that attends Madison-Morgan Boy & Girls Club.
Author, Speaker, Lawyer and Child Advocate Liz Huntley will visit Madison’s James Madison Conference Center September 18 to deliver her story during a fundraiser luncheon.
All the proceeds from the inspirational event will benefit the Club youth.
Liz Huntley is the author of “More Than A Bird,” an inspirational story, which follows her journey from a childhood marked by extreme poverty and violence to a career as a successful litigation attorney and passionate child advocate,” Nancy Vaughan, Co-President of the MMBGC Advisory board said. “Her story reflects the importance of early intervention in the lives of the young people who need us the most, which is exactly inline with the kind of work we do here at Madison-Morgan Boys & Girls Club.”
Huntley credits her local Boys & Girls Club as one of those positive influences, which helped her succeed despite the turmoil of her early life.
“We felt that offering the community a unique insight to how our Club influences children’s lives, while also hearing a story that echo’s a message of you can overcome obstacles, would lend itself to be an impactful event,” Vaughan shared.
TICKETS
$50 PER PERSON - INCLUDES CATERED LUNCH BY CABOOSE OF RUTLEDGE, GA
Huntley won’t be the only inspirational aspect of this event! Bria Anai Johnson, a former Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia Club member, will showcase her talents and speak to the positive impact of her Club experience.
Bria, who was an American Idol Top 10 Finalist during Season XIII, now attends Clark Atlanta University with her sights set on singing and acting.
“Your participating helps our Club provide life-enhancing programs and character building experiences to over 350 Morgan County young people we serve,” Karen Robertson, Senior Executive Director for MMBGC said. “These youth look to the Club to provide a safe place to learn and grow under the supervision of a trained and caring staff.”
Tickets for Liz Huntley include a catered lunch provided by the Caboose and are $50 per person. If you’d like to purchase tickets or see how you can partner with Madison-Morgan Boys & Girls Club for this fundraiser, please visit www.bgcncg.com/lizhuntleyspeaks.
Madison-Morgan Boys & Girls Club Opens “Novelis Math & Science Lab”
MADISON, GA, July 25, 2018 – Community leaders recently gathered at the Madison-Morgan Boys & Girls Club to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony for the organization’s brand new Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Lab. The “Novelis Math & Science Lab” provides state-of-the-art software and resources that help build students’ computer skills and integrate technology in all core program areas. The doors officially opened July 25.
Novelis, the world leader in rolled aluminum products and largest recycler of aluminum, invested $7,000 to help equip the lab. Novelis employees also volunteered during the building process by painting walls, installing cabinets, laying flooring and more. In addition to Novelis, Lowe’s donated cabinets for the lab and Mannington Mills donated flooring.
“We’re thrilled to expand our partnership with the Boys & Girls Club and the greater Greensboro community,” said Scott Palmer, Plant Manager, Greensboro. “At Novelis, we believe these types of progressive education programs will pave the way for the future of America’s youth.”
This investment marks the second STEM Lab Novelis has helped establish in the greater Greensboro community. The first lab opened in 2014 at the Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club. Since 2014, Novelis Greensboro has donated nearly $120,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of America. In addition, Novelis was awarded “Business Partner of the Year” by the Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club in 2015 and by the Boys & Girls Club of North Central Georgia in 2017.
“Partnerships with corporations, like Novelis, are the driving force behind our collective impact to serve the youth in our communities,” Bob Mackey, President and CEO of BGCNCG said. “Novelis is committed to the youth and we are thrilled to have their lending hand in ensuring that all youth have a bright future.”
For Karen Robertson, Senior Executive MMBGC Club Director, this is a milestone for the Club and the community.
“To be able to revamp our STEM education with Novelis’ state-of-the-art technology in our Club is a game changer for our youth,” she shared. “This education is the future of tomorrow’s jobs and we desire to see our youth master these skills. We are so excited to have this partnership with Novelis and for our future ahead.”
The Novelis Math & Science Lab furthers the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia’s mission to continue engaging underrepresented students in STEM. Similar programs and labs have been widely successful in advancing out-of-school time to create passion, innovation, and creativity within these disciplines and set students on the path to successful careers.
Madison-Morgan Boys & Girls Club provides a world-class experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who enters our doors.
For more information or to donate, visit www.bgcncg.com. If you’d like to get involved please contact 706-342-1117.
Louie Herron gives $500 to BGCNCG
Duck Derby will land someone $10,000 richer June 30
Some lucky duck will win $10,000 June 30 at Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia’s Duck Derby event in Porterdale. Shortly after 7 PM June 30 the first rubbery ducky to cross the finish line around the bend of Porterdale’s Yellow River will be named the winner.
There’s still time to adopt your rubber duck at www.bgcncg.com/duckderby.
PNBGC Visit Georgia Power Wallace Dam
The fourth and fifth grade Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club members were able to take their summer learning about the environmental and economic impact of Lake Oconee on the community and apply it on their recent field trip to Georgia Power Company’s Wallace Dam.
Club members have been learning about Lake Oconee’s history during this year’s summer programming. Facts such as how Lake Oconee is a reservoir on the Oconee River near Greensboro and Eatonton, which was created in 1979. Club members learned that the lake runs through Georgia's Morgan, Greene and Putnam counties and is separated from its sister lake, Lake Sinclair, by the Wallace Dam. Lake Oconee serves as a reservoir for Georgia Power Company's Wallace Hydroelectric Plant. When Club members learned they were going to visit the plant, they were thrilled to engage with their new knowledge.
Club members listened to Mark McMillan, a plant worker for Georgia Power, as he explained the operations of the plant and how electricity is made.
“Our members got to see the actual operations room and see how the generators, turbines and pumping stations work, as well as the stop walls,” Brad Parr, PNBGC Club Director shared. “It was such a neat experience to watch as youth were connecting what they had researched to what they were seeing in real time at the plant.”
The tour also featured viewing the dam from different perspectives so that Club members could better understand the dam’s size.
Oxidation was a topic that was discussed during the tour. McMillan explained to the youth about an oxidation study that was taking place on the lake. He also discussed how the lakes PH levels are self-regulating.
“Some of our Club members will be researching oxidation and the effects of low oxidation levels on a reservoir as the summer continues. They will also be testing water samples from different areas of the lake. They will be comparing PH levels and making observations and journaling their finding,” Parr said. “We will also delve the economic advantages to having Lake Oconee in our community. It is our goal to better understand the economic and environmental impact on our every day living.”
Parr said “without the willingness and openness to invite our Club members, this field trip wouldn’t have been possible without Georgia Power and Novelis for their support.”
If you’d like to learn more about Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club, visit our Club page or call 706-920-1400.
