Local Boys & Girls Club Celebrates 60 Years
By Alison Bailin Batz
Senior Account Executive
Established in 1954, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale empowers youth of all ages and backgrounds develop the qualities needed to reach their full potential as productive, responsible citizens. The organization, celebrating its 60th anniversary throughout 2014, has added, built and expanded Clubs, served thousands upon thousands of more children and teens, and expanded its reach to communities across the Valley and in Indian Country. Of course, one of its most popular branches is right here in the heart of Desert Ridge – the Vestar Branch, which has been nationally recognized among the top branches in the nation in recent years.
Today, through the Vestar Branch and sister locations in the Greater-Scottsdale area:
• The Club serves more than 17,800 youth.
• The Club has won 29 national program awards since 2003, including the coveted Best Overall Club award in 2009 and 2012, respectively.
• Eighteen club members have won national honors in fine arts and digital arts.
• Because of the Clubs, 63% of middle school youth say they exercise and eat healthy.
• 88% of high school youth say the Clubs help influence them to better the community.
• Youth who attend a Club more than 75% of the time have an average GPA of 3.19.
• 57% of elementary age youth say the Clubs help them like school better.
During its six-decade history, the Club has seen firsthand how so many children across the nation start or return to school without the needed school supplies and new clothes to feel confident and successful. Furthermore, research shows that children from low-income, distressed environments start school far behind their more advantaged peers.
As such, as part of its 60th anniversary celebration and in an effort to combat this issue, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale was proud to partner with the Kohl’s in Desert Ridge in July and August to help 1,000 youth in need shop for back-to-school items during its 30 Days of Shopping.
“All children, regardless of socio-economic factors, deserve the opportunity to start the school year off on a positive note and on an even playing field,” says Steve Davidson, President and CEO at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale.
During the events, the selected youth received a $100 Kohl’s gift card to pick out clothing and other back to school necessities at Kohl’s stores located in Scottsdale and Phoenix. The event also included members at the Club’s Peach Springs Branch (located on the Hualapai Indian Community in Northern Arizona) to shop at the Kohl’s Flagstaff location.
As well as helping prepare children, the events also allowed community partners and businesses to engage directly with youth from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale. The events were greatly made possible by civic leaders Ellie and Michael Ziegler, who are sponsored the 1,000 children. Volunteers from organizations such as Kohl’s, Scottsdale Active 20-30 Club and Valley of the Sun Active 20-30 Club have been participating in this important community event for over 10 years.
“Thanks to the compassion and generosity of the Zieglers, community partners and volunteers, 1,000 children in our community will be able to shop with dignity and actually enjoy preparing for the upcoming school year,” says Davidson.
This is one of many positive impacts the Clubs have had over the past 60 years.
