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The Boys & Girls Club of Geneva
Dave and Brenda Rickey honored
Jonathan Ray, Youth of the Year
Boys & Girls Club of Geneva Basketball Tournament
Save the Date! Boys & Girls Club of Geneva Annual Dinner, Thurs., Oct. 17, 5:30 p.m. at Club 86
Youth of the Year Jonathan Ray Recognized Jonathan Ray has been recognized as the Boys & Girls Club of Geneva (BGCG) Youth of the Year, the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club of America member can receive. Jonathan, who has been a member of the club for approximately four years, was selected for his sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community. The 15 year old traveled to Albany and competed against other Boys & Girls Club members for the New York State Youth of the Year title. He was interviewed by a panel of four individuals and assessed for poise, public speaking and people skills. “This shows that outside of the controlled environment of school, when he can choose to do whatever he wants, he chooses to do the right thing,” says his father Fred Ray. “I’m very proud of that.”
His mother Kandy Ray echoes the sentiment. “We are very proud of him,” she says, explaining Jonathan has regularly been recognized for his academic accomplishments but this is the first recognition based on his overall character. “This is a huge honor, especially when you find out what it entailed.” “Youth of the Year is an honor our club bestows on members who strive to be great. Jonathan has set and achieved goals for academic success by doing his homework and tutoring his peers, building a strong moral character through serving the community and leading a healthy lifestyle by participating in the gym, games room and learning nutrition in Healthy Habits cooking,” said Arlene Francis, executive director, Boys & Girls Club of Geneva
in presenting the award. “He sets the bar high for his peers by taking advantage of opportunities within the Geneva community to set his foundation for a great future.” During his visit to Albany for the state competition, Jonathan met with New York State Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C,I-Canandaigua) and continued on page 2
in this issue Project Respect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Summer Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 BGCG Donors Honored. . . . . . . . . 3 Bowlathon a Success . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Going Electronic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2013 Golf Classic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Basketball Tournament . . . . . . . . . . 4
Our Mission: To connect and empower all people in our community, especially young people who need us most, to reach their full potential. summer 2013
to learn about volunteer opportunities or ways to help, please call 315.759.6060
Project Respect The Boys & Girls Club of Geneva, The Smith Center for the Arts and Geneva Theatre Guild Inc. were awarded a grant from the Max and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation to develop a project for youth with the theme of arts
Shonte Archibald
viewed on YouTube (https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=eANuEF0XEMs). Club members wrote the lyrics for the song, created the art and photography on the video, and sang on the recording. John and Nancy Bryan wrote the music and directed the youth on vocals and recording. “This project opened up new opportunities for me. I have had fun in art, acting, set design and learning how to run lights,” says Joseph Ortiz, one of the members who has art featured on the video. At last count, more than 85 Club members had taken part in some aspect of Project RESPECT. Community volunteers and club staff have worked with the students throughout the year,
and social media. The GTG was the lead applicant, taking the role of writing the grant application, and Terri Knight-Miller coordinated the project and worked closely with the youth all year. The youth at the Boys & Girls Club chose “RESPECT” as the theme for the project, and were required to then Matt Gill create visual arts, graphic art, poetry, including Hobart and William Smith music, dance or theater around their students, U.G. Artists and Geneva theme. Students were given hands on Theatre Guild volunteers. This project will opportunities to expand skills through continue this summer and beyond. workshops in lights, sound, recording, “Project RESPECT has empowered set building, and photography. Among our members to find their voice and has the workshops was one focused on connected them to professional artists light/sound held at The Smith Center from the Geneva Community for the Arts. and beyond. The partnership between “Having the opportunity to expose Geneva Theatre Guild, the Smith Center kids to behind the scene aspects of the for the Arts and the Boys venue was a & Girls Club of Geneva treat. They were has enriched our youth’s all familiar with experience in the arts,” says the space, but for Arlene Francis, Boys & Girls them to be able Club executive director. to see how things The entire showing of worked and to Shakeem Graves youth work was held Thursday, sit in the driver’s May 16. A reception and art show in The seat was an eye opening and unique Finger Lakes Moose Center Game Room experience for them,” says Pablo Falbru at the Geneva Community Center on of the Boys & Girls Club. 160 Carter Road was followed by a Among the outcomes of the short play, music and videos in the project is a song and video, called Pat Collins Black Box Theater. “Show Some Respect,” which can be Youth of the Year Jonathan Ray Recognized, continued from cover New York State Senator Mike Nozzolio. Senator Nozzolio recognized Jonathan with a 2013 New York State Youth of
the Year award and honored him with a special New York State Resolution. “I think the experience really helped me with leadership skills and talking in public,” says Jonathan.
Boys & Girls Club of Geneva • www.genevabgc.org • 315.759.6060
Summer Programs This summer, the BGCG will be offering Fun Shine University, from June 24 through August 16, for members ages 5 to 12. For more information and/or to register call 315-781-2345. Members ages 11 to 18 are invited to “Be Great this Summer!” with the Boys & Girls Club of Geneva. The Teen Center at the Geneva Community Center (160 Carter Road) will host a summer program from June 24 through August 16, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Take part in sports, outdoor games and social recreation activities. Be creative through visual, performing and digital arts. Learn about money matters and important career facts and get involved through Street Smart, the Garden Club and community service projects. For more information and/or to register call 315-759-6060. Additionally, the Boys & Girls Club of Geneva has partnered with the Geneva City School District this year to administer the Summer Feeding Program. Thanks to a grant from the NYS Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs, the program will be able to feed children at the Goodman Street Club (1 Goodman Street) and the Community Center (160 Carter Road). BGCG will also reopen the program at the Salvation Army. “The ability to utilize all three sites will enable us to serve more youth in the community,” says Arlene Francis, executive director of the BGCG. More information about all of these programs is available online. connect | 2
BGCG Donors Dave and Brenda Rickey Honored Key supporters of the Boys & Girls Club of Geneva, Brenda and Dave Rickey, were honored recently by the Geneva Rotary Club at its annual Service Above Self Dinner, held May 2. The couple, who established the Brenda & Dave Rickey Foundation to provide financial support to causes related to education and young people, were presented with the Springstead Award. It is one of Geneva Rotary’s highest honors, established three years ago to honor the late Ralph Springstead. “Given the long history of service by the Rotary Club, it’s an honor to get this award from this organization. It’s very humbling,” Dave Rickey was quoted in a Finger Lakes Times interview after the award was announced. “Both Brenda and I love Geneva and want to give back. We’re fortunate to be able to donate to support worthwhile organizations. That’s how we were raised.” The couple lives in San Diego, Calif., but returns to Geneva regularly to visit friends, bicycle and check on the many organizations and projects they support in the region, the Geneva
Dave and Brenda Rickey
Community Center among them. The Rickey Foundation was lead donor of the community center, making the project possible. “The Rickeys have been absolutely essential to the success of the community center,” explains Mark Venuti, BGCG board member who manages the club’s relationship with the foundation. “When they agreed to make the lead gift, we knew we could complete the center. They put us in the position to move forward with the project.”
Bowl-A-Thon a Success The community once again turned out to show support for the Boys & Girls Club of Geneva while enjoying food and fun during the sixth annual “Bowl for the Club.” This year’s event was held Saturday, April 20, at Sunset Bowl and raised $29,250. “Our organization looks forward to this event every year,” explains Arlene Francis, executive director of the
Boys & Girls Club of Geneva. “The support we receive from the community reaffirms our role within it and we are honored and grateful to everyone who participates.” Among the key sponsors were the presenting sponsor of the event, Finger Lakes Bone & Joint Center, and Ciccino’s Pizzeria and Restaurant, which was food sponsor.
Additionally, several local organizations participated as lane sponsors Bank of the Finger Lakes Billsboro Winery Buffalo Wild Wings Century 21, Steve Davoli Real Estate Finger Lakes Federal Credit Union Finger Lakes Health Finger Lakes Medical, P.C. Generations Bank
Geneva Board of Education/ Superintendent of Schools Geneva Club Beverage Hampton Inn Interstate Heating Knights of Columbus Assemblyman Brian Kolb Leaf Kitchen Dr. Rodney Littlejohn Michaels & Smolak
Morgan Stanley Ken Steadman Pedulla’s Liquor Store Phelps Sungas, Inc. Red Dove Tavern Reliant Community Credit Union The Presbyterian Church of Geneva The Tuxill Group Vance Metal Fabricators
Boys & Girls Club of Geneva • www.genevabgc.org • 315.759.6060
While they have continued to provide funding for the endowment to help support the operation of the center and its programs, Venuti notes the Rickeys provide far more than financial support. When they return to Geneva a couple of times a year they always stop in and use the community center, stay up to speed on its programs and activities and make sure their investment is being utilized to the full advantage of the community, particularly the children. “They keep us on our toes,” says Venuti. “It’s good that they have such high expectations and we’re happy to meet them.” In addition to the BGCG, the Rickeys have generously donated to DeSales High School (Dave’s alma mater), Catholic elementary schools, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, the Geneva High School sports program, Happiness House, Geneva Public Library, The Smith Center for the Arts and the Geneva Community Lakefront Playground.
Going Electronic The Boys & Girls Club of Geneva newsletter is going digital! In an effort to be more Green, we will begin distributing “Connect” as an electronic edition, beginning with the next issue. If you’d like to continue to receive “Connect,” please send your email address to susan.tolleson@genevabgc.org, and add genevabgc.org to your safe senders list. We will be giving special consideration to those who would rather have the newsletter sent to them via U.S. Postal Service. To continue to receive a printed version, please call Susan Tolleson at 315-759-6060 and be sure to tell her of any updates or corrections to your address. connect | 3
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Boys & Girls Club of Geneva PO Box 166 geneva, NY 14456
Boys & Girls Club of Geneva Basketball Tournament Sunday, March 17, 2013
Non-Profit Org US Postage
PAID Permit No 1031 Rochester, NY
2013 Golf Classic The 17th Annual Boys & Girls Club of Geneva Golf Classic will be held Tuesday, July 16, at Silver Creek Golf Course (River Road, Waterloo). The four-person scramble tees off at 11:30 a.m., .To register call Susan Tolleson at 315-759-6060 or email: susan.tolleson@genevabgc.org. All proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Geneva.
our staff Executive Director: Arlene Francis Goodman Street Unit Director: Bob Ritter Interim Teen Center Unit Director: Terry Edwards Membership and Safety Coordinators: Alfredo Bizardi and Vilma Cruz Office Manager and Event Planner: Susan Tolleson Writer: Cindy Lee Associates Publisher: In House Graphic Design, Inc.
The Boys & Girls Club of Geneva Basketball Tournament was held at Bristol Field House on the campus of Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
Boys & Girls Club of Geneva • www.genevabgc.org • 315.759.6060
for more information: www.genevabgc.org 315.759.6060
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