Reprieve for valley’s unit of B&G Club
From our weekly issue dated May 7, 2008
Luthern Women of Illinois Valley held a spaghetti dinner fund-raiser for the Illinois Valley Unit of the Boys & Girls Club on Friday, May 2 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Scott Thornhill (above) unit executive director, is pleased with the results. A total 126 meals were served with donations amounting to $1,075; and $1,000 of that will be matched by Thrivent for Lutherans for a total of $2,075 raised. (Photo by Michelle Binker, Illinois Valley News)
Although it seemed that closure was imminent for the Illinois Valley Unit of Rogue Valley Boys & Girls Club, the doors will remain open.
During a hosted dinner and presentation at Taylor’s Country Store in Cave Junction to spotlight funding goals and plans Tuesday evening, April 29, unit Director Scott Thornhill announced that the local club will not close, as previously announced.
The earlier decision to end the I.V. program was based on lack of local support. During the previous three years, $10,000 a year was raised through a mere 53 donors.
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A new fund-raising effort has been launched to increase awareness of the Boys & Girls Club. It is reaching out to more donors to reach an annual goal of $55,000; with. $35,000 already pledged during the next three years.
Thornhill is confident that residents and businesses will support the club to maintain the important programs relied on by the community. He said that he already is raising awareness of the Boys & Girls Club and the good it does for Illinois Valley.
He painted a bright future for the I.V. program based at Evergreen Elementary School. The club provides valley students with supervised activities, life skills and leadership training, education and fitness programs. Outstanding students are recognized for their achievements.
Many students overcome daunting obstacles to excel in sports, scholastics, creative pursuits, become confident in their abilities, and to strive for their dreams, Thornhill said. He added that the club will remain at Evergreen indefinitely and continue its afterschool programs.
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The enthusiastic audience at Taylor’s included youthful club members, adult members, business people, Boys & Girls Club leaders and interested residents. Many sported colorful Boys & Girls Club hats, provided during the evening.
The program began with a speech by Brittney Mosley, 2008 Youth of the Year honored by the Rogue Valley Boys & Girls Club chapter. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Daniel Schlabach. Both children charmed the audience and made an uplifting start to the evening.
A PowerPoint presentation about the needs and plans for the clubs in the Rogue Valley region, which includes the Cave Junction club, was presented by Chris Freedman, a member of the board of directors for Rogue Valley Boys & Girls Club. She illustrated the need for donations from residents in order to make up for expired grants and other diminished funding.
The presentation highlighted the number of children who progress from Boys & Girls Club programs, learning good personal skills, gaining confidence and advancing to college. Education and physical fitness are focal points which club leaders believe make a difference for children in their programs.
The club provides afterschool sports, games, crafts, educational and leadership programs for students. The club services are invaluable to families throughout the valley for the difference it makes in children’s lives.
The club also serves from 75 to 100 meals to children daily at Evergreen.
“We just started the program this school year,” Thornhill remarked. Illinois Valley is among the poorer rural areas in Oregon and 95 percent of its students qualify for meals and other services provided by the club. The club has served 10,500 meals from September to April, according to Freeman’s presentation.
Recently, more local donations and donation pledges have been received by the I.V. unit. On May 2 a spaghetti dinner fund-raiser was hosted at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Cave Junction. Co-sponsors were Lutheran Women of Illinois Valley, the church, and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. The latter will match all proceeds to aid the unit.
Fund-raisers will support the I.V. club’s programs this year, but more is needed for next year’s programs at Evergreen. Additionally, the club is raising money for its own planned new building near Jubilee Park. Club leaders are excited about the possibilities the new facility will offer to the community, and the idea is gaining momentum, according to Thornhill.
The Rogue Valley Boys & Girls Club held Taste of the Rogue April 19 at the Grants Pass Boys & Girls Club. It was a sold-out fundraising event, benefiting all the regional clubs.
Other events will be held in Grants Pass and Medford, but will benefit the Cave Junction club. These include Girl Friends Great Escape on Friday, May 16; Medford Car Cruise in June; and the For Kids Classic Golf Tournament on July 18. The Bite of the Rogue food-tasting fundraiser is planned for September at Jackson County Expo.
Rogue Valley Boys & Girls Club is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, to which tax-deductible donations may be made.
“Donations made in the Illinois Valley will stay here,” said Thornhill.
For more information about the I.V. unit, contact Thornhill at 592-4771, or visit bgcrv.com. Donations can be mailed to The Rogue Valley Boys & Girls Club, P.O. Box 2636, Cave Junction, OR 97523.
