Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida

One of our Club members just had an out-of-this-world experience! ??? Zoey was selected by SPACEKIDS GLOBAL as one of eight winners for the 2024 SpaceKids Press Squad. This stellar opportunity brought her to NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Kennedy Space Center — where she learned all about the space program, watched the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, and interviewed SpaceKids Global's founder Sharon Hagle who had just returned to Earth. By collaborating with organizations like SpaceKids Global, we're helping children understand that?no dream is too high,?and?no career is out of reach. #SpaceKidsGlobal #GreatFuturesStartHere #STEM #YouthEmpowerment

As we continue our Week of Gratitude, today we want to shine a spotlight on an incredible member of our BGCCF family: Shamel Akins, the Service Director of our West Orange Branch — which is soon to expand in a new location. Shamel has been with BGCCF for two years, and his passion for working with kids truly makes him a standout leader. He shares: “I love working with kids; it’s truly a dream come true for me. Being a role model in my local community, giving back, and being a part of our future leaders’ lives are what make this work so meaningful to me." Thank you, Shamel, for your dedication, your heart, and your unwavering commitment to our kids and community. You inspire us all! #WeekOfGratitude #CommunityLeader #GreatFuturesStartHere #WestOrange #CentralFlorida #Thanksgiving

Next up in our Week of Gratitude shout-outs is?Jacquelyn Alexander, known as?Ms. JLove?by our Club members! ?? Since 2019, Ms. JLove has been a dedicated volunteer with?Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, where she leads the?JLoveKids Etiquette and Life Skills LLC?program. Through her efforts, Ms. JLove has positively impacted over?500 Club members?across multiple locations, teaching essential etiquette skills that prepare our youth for future success. The program provides valuable sessions that help students learn to conduct themselves professionally, equipping them with the confidence and tools to have a seat at any table. We are incredibly grateful for Ms. JLove's commitment to fostering the growth and development of our young people! ???? #Gratitude #CommunitySupport #ThankYou #GreatFuturesStartHere #Thanksgiving

This week, we are celebrating a Week of Gratitude, taking the time to express our heartfelt thanks to those who make a significant impact on our Clubs and community. First and foremost, we extend a special thank you to Gary Kaltbaum. As a dedicated donor, volunteer, and board member, Gary is an integral part of our Club community. One of Gary’s remarkable contributions to Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida (BGCCF) is the establishment of our Blessings Banquet, where we provide Club members with a Thanksgiving feast. Notably, during the challenges of COVID-19, Gary went above and beyond by personally underwriting Blessing Baskets for 100 families, ensuring they received support when we could not host the event in person. We are immensely grateful to Gary and all of our generous donors who continue to make a difference in the lives of the youth and teens who need it most. Thank you! #GreatFuturesStartHere #WeekOfGratitude #Thanksgiving?

Join us in celebrating the enchanting sights and sounds of the holiday season! This showcase of creativity through visual and performance arts promises to be a festive event you won’t want to miss. Thank you to United Arts of Central Florida and Valencia College for helping to make this Youth Arts Initiative event possible.

Our hearts are FULL of gratitude! ?? Thank you corie murray with Black Men Sundays for giving out turkeys to families at THREE Clubs! And thank you to New Journey Youth Center for rolling up your sleeves and volunteering! #GreatFuturesStartHere #Thanksgiving #HappyThanksgiving #Volunteer #Orlando #CentralFlorida

We are incredibly grateful to Synchrony for hosting a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner for our Club youth at the East Altamonte Branch. Corporate partnerships like this make a significant difference in the lives of our young members by providing them with valuable experiences and opportunities. Thank you for taking the time to connect with our members and for bringing joy to their faces! Together, we are making a lasting impact! #GreatFuturesStartHere #Volunteer #Thanksgiving #CentralFlorida

We're thrilled to share that Robert Verhelst, better known as Fireman Rob, will be participating in the?2025 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend?in Central Florida, running in full firefighter gear (weighing 35 lbs!) to support Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida. As an Air Force Veteran and dedicated firefighter who contributed to search and recovery efforts after 9/11, Rob is on a mission to inspire others to "live your passion." This January, he will take on the?5K, 10K, half marathon, and full marathon, embodying his motto:?“Your strength is in your passion.” While general registration for the race is sold out, there’s still an opportunity to join him through?BGCCF’s Team Club Kid, which has limited spots available for those looking to make a difference. For more information and to secure your spot, please visit the BGCCF registration link: https://lnkd.in/d-ir5FXH Let’s make this an unforgettable experience together! ?? #FiremanRob #DisneyMarathon #GreatFuturesStartHere #RunForACause #LiveYourPassion #Inspiration #CentralFlorida

As we wrap up the year, we are celebrating the impact we’ve made together at Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida! Thanks to YOUR support, we've served over?12,000 children?this year, providing vital mentorship and resources to kids and teens across Central Florida. However, we need your continued support to keep making a difference. Will you give the gift of a bright future? ?? A monthly donation of just?$42?for one year can provide a child with access to our summer program during those crucial months when they need us the most. Join us in making a difference! Together, we can create brighter tomorrows for our youth. ?? Make your monthly donation here:?https://lnkd.in/eeeSghKy Thank you for considering a year-end gift! ???

We need YOUR help to make this festive season bright for our Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida (BGCCF) families! ??? Local businesses, organizations, and individuals can spread holiday cheer by donating gifts to community members who could use a little extra support through our Holiday Drive. Here's how it works: Our dedicated Club staff work closely with families to create wish lists that include everything from age-appropriate toys to clothing and household necessities. We then match our generous donors with these wish list items. Click here for more information and to sign up today ???https://lnkd.in/e8-kaebb Thank you for helping us spread the magic of the season! ??#GreatFuturesStartHere #Holidays #HappyHolidays #CentralFlorida