2009 Mayor’s Gala Committee raises $50,000 for Boys and Girls Club of Fontana
Fontana Boys and Girls Club staff at the 2009 Mayor’s Gala.
In order to further and enhance existing efforts to support and help the Fontana Community and its youth, each year the Fontana Mayor’s Gala Committee selects a nonprofit for which to raise funds. The Boys and Girls Club of Fontana was selected as this year’s recipient of the Mayor’s Gala monies raised from ticket sales, sponsorships and a silent auction - over $50,000 in total.
“We were thrilled to be selected by the Mayor’s Gala Committee,” said Terrie Schneider, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Fontana. “This donation will be used to help build a new Clubhouse in Fontana.”
Residents, community leaders and elected officials attended the “Evening of Tropical Elegance” that took place on Saturday, September 26 at the Jessie Turner Health and Fitness Center, one of Fontana’s newest state of the art facilities.
“The kids that attend Almeria Middle School have a safe place to go to after school, and my goal is to see ten more facilities by the year 2025, so we can support other kids from other schools,” said Mayor Mark Nuaimi, immediate past president of the Boys and Girls Club of Fontana.
Children work on their homework at the Boys and Girls Club.
“The Boys and Girls Club of Fontana has a motto - we are truly a positive place for kids,” said Nuaimi. “I believe that, as a community, we need to continue to work together to build places like the Boys and Girls Club, so all our youth will be able to attend and achieve their dreams. Our youth will be our future leaders of tomorrow, and as community leaders we need to do our best to ensure we provide them with the best path possible.”
The “Evening of Tropical Elegance” was made possible by the generous support and continued partnership of sponsors: Lewis Group of Companies; Young Homes; DW Development; LaBarge Industries, Inc.; Burrtec Waster; AT&T; Best Best & Krieger LLP; Mitchell Land Company; Parsons Transportation; TCM Group; Auto Club Speedway; and the James P. Previti Foundation.
“Because of the support of our sponsors, we are one step closer to having our facility ready to be open by 2013,” said Schneider.
Children that attend the Fontana Clubhouse will benefit from many educational activities:
- Character & Leadership Development: empowers youth to support and influence their club and community, sustain meaningful relationships with others, and develops a positive image.
- Education & Career Development: enables youth to become proficient in basic education disciplines and apply learning to everyday situation.
- Health & Life Skills: develops young people’s capacity to engage in positive behaviors and set goals.
- The Arts: enables youth to develop their creativity and cultural awareness through knowledge and appreciation of crafts and creative writing.
- Sports, Fitness & Recreation: develops fitness, positive use of leisure time, appreciation for the environment, and social skills.
- Technology Center: youth develop the skills, knowledge, and attitudes supporting safe use of technology.
- TEEN Programs: The Boys and Girls Clubs of Fontana has taken a leadership role in addressing the needs of teens in today’s pressure-filled society. Teen Programs have been established and offer activities that directly focus on issues pertaining to today’s teenager. Trained professional staff administer programs and services, which help teens cope with the issues they face on a daily basis.
Gala volunteers announce the winners of the Silent Auction.
Highlighting this past year’s Annual Mayor’s Gala were Polynesian dancers, a silent auction with amazing opportunities, the presence of alumni from the Boys and Girls Club of Fontana, and performances by Jessica Soza and the Dave Johnson Band. Plans for the 2010 Mayor’s Gala are already underway.
For more information on the Boys and Girls Club of Fontana, contact Terrie Schnieder, executive director, at (909) 822-4988 or visit at www.bgcfontana.org.
