Press Room Archives - 2008
Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco Celebrates the Holiday Season
December 2008
The joy and cheer of the holiday season spread throughout our Clubs this December!
As part of our toy drive, BGCSF distributed over TK gifts to members attending holiday parties at our nine Clubhouses. Special thanks go to the Friends group (link to Friends page) for their hard work in raising funds for the drive, to all of the individuals who participated, and to the many organizations that made large donations of toys. They include the Daughters of Norway, Monster, Inc., PricewaterhouseCoopers, Old Navy, and TIAA-CREF.
As an extra special holiday treat, members from all nine of our Clubhouses enthusiastically attended the highly-anticipated annual “We Care” event -- an arts and crafts extravaganza. They had the chance to design unique handmade gifts for family and friends with the help of some of the top creative forces in San Francisco. We are greatly appreciative to Geiger and Herman Miller, Inc. for hosting this remarkable event year after year!
See BGCSF holiday party pictures.
See pictures from the We Care event.
Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco Members Skate and Bowl on Ice
November 20, 2008 at Union Square Ice Rink
This holiday season, the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink made its debut in Union Square and BGCSF was the official charity partner. In addition to the prominent display of BGCSF’s name around the rink, all skaters had a chance to make a donation to the organization at the ticket window. Plus, on November 20, over 150 of our members citywide had the opportunity to skate, bowl (on ice!), and enjoy snacks and hot chocolate at the rink. A ton of fun and enjoyment was had by all! BGCSF would like to thank Willy Beitak Productions, managers of the rink, for choosing BGCSF as its charity partner and for creating a memorable experience for our youth.
Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco Hosts Board Luncheon
November 20, 2008 at Farallon Restaurant
On November 20, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco hosted its annual Board Luncheon at Farallon Restaurant in the Beluga Room, on the 4th Floor of 450 Post Street. Several great awards were given out for recognition and years of service, as well as to thank departing board members for their contributions. Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco sincerely thanks all our board members and volunteers for their continued support and dedication over the years.
Outstanding BGCSF Teen Wins $1,000 Scholarship
November 18, 2008
On November 18, Wells Fargo donated $100,000 to selected San Francisco public schools, non-profits and education programs at their Annual Educators Breakfast. Among the recipients was Diamond Davis, member of Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco's Excelsior Clubhouse. She was awarded a $1,000 college scholarship for her excellence in academics and her service to BGCSF and the community. Thank you, Wells Fargo and congratulations Diamond!
Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco Launches New Ad Campaign
November, 2008
This November, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco officially launched its new ad and branding campaign, including its new tagline: The future starts here. Advertisements are now appearing throughout San Francisco, including on buses and in national and local publications. One of our proudest achievements is that the campaign was conceived and executed almost entirely by a team of deeply-committed volunteers. Special thanks go to BGCSF’s Marketing Committee and to our lead partner in the campaign, Charles Schwab & Co.’s Creative Services division. We are grateful for the critical role Schwab’s volunteer team -- including copy writers, designers, account managers, and strategists -- has played in raising the profile of BGCSF throughout the city!
Mission Clubhouse Groundbreaking Ceremony
November 10, 2008 at 901 Alabama
Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco officially kicked off the renovation of its 80-year-old Mission Clubhouse at a historic groundbreaking ceremony. Located on the east side of the Mission, the new state-of-the-art, 18,000 square-foot Clubhouse will serve as a safe and positive place for Mission District youth. Signature programs will include strong education programs, health and fitness, teen services, including violence and gang prevention, and the award-winning arts and crafts programs the Club has been known for historically. The new design will feature a learning center, multi-media room, art studio, teen center, games room, teaching kitchen, gymnasium, and a multi-purpose room that can be used for dance and Clubhouse gatherings. BGCSF would especially like to acknowledge The Rotary Club of San Francisco which helped raised the original money for the Club in 1928 for honoring their past and ours by raising dollars to help rebuild the Club. The Club is scheduled to open in 2010; in the meantime, we will continue to operate out of our temporary location at Bryant Elementary.
Read the full press release.
See pictures from the event.
Rotary Parade
November 9, 2008 in San Francisco
On November 9, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco participated in the Rotary Club’s Centennial Parade. Not only did the Rotary Club (link to community partners pages) raise the money to open our Mission Clubhouse in 1928, but they have also committed to raising $700K for the Club’s renovation as part of their Centennial Celebration. Approximately 115 BGCSF Club members, staff and parents attended the parade to show their support. The parade started at Second and Market Streets and ended at the San Francisco Civic Center. Club members marched with individual Club banners and waved Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco flags. Later that evening, members of Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco attended Rotary's Centennial Gala Dinner where BGCSF President Rob Connolly accepted a check for $600,000 towards the renovation of the Mission Clubhouse.
BGCSF Hosts 4th Annual Halloween Monster Bash
October 23, 2008
BGCSF Hosts First Annual Board Alumni Lunch
October 15, 2008 at the Carnelian Room
Dr. John Callander, Lynda Hutton, and Jack Bickel, assisted President Rob Connolly with welcoming 21 current and former board members for the First Annual Board Alumni Lunch at the Carnelian Room on Wednesday, October 15. This was an opportunity to catch up with old friends, as well as hear a brief update on current BGCSF activities. Attendees also honored those in the room who have had a great impact on our organization’s progress over the decades of their involvement.
We hope to grow this event every year, and we welcome all alumni of our board of governors and past trustees to join us. If you would like to be a part of the 2009 Board Alumni Lunch next October, please contact Sheila Steinberg at ssteinberg@kidsclub.org or (415) 445-5418.
See pictures from the event.
BGCSF Hosts 35th Annual Golf Tournament
August 11, 2008
On August 11, 2008 BGCSF held its 35th Annual Golf Tournament at the prestigious Olympic Club, where participants had the opportunity to test out their skills on The Lake Course and Ocean Course. The tournament also featured a longest drive competition, a putting contest, and dinner. With great appreciation, BGCSF raised close to $220,000 that will go to BGCSF programming and to providing a safe and positive place for the kids who need us most.
BGCSF is incredibly grateful to all the sponsors and participants who contribute year after year to the success of the tournament. A special thanks to all of this year's sponsors, especially our Platinum Sponsor, Charles Schwab Foundation.
To join next year’s Golf Committee and for information on sponsorship opportunities for 2009, please contact Sheila Steinberg at ssteinberg@kidsclub.org or 415-445-5418.
Introducing the 2008 Charles Schwab Foundation Scholarship Recipients
October 14, 2008 at the Tenderloin Clubhouse
Angela Au and Alex Tran, members of Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco’s Tenderloin Clubhouse, have each been awarded a $2,000 college scholarship from the Charles Schwab Foundation. Both were selected because they successfully completed the “Money Matters: Make it Count” program and have incorporated what they’ve learned into their daily lives. They received their scholarships during a check presentation held on Tuesday, October 14, at the Tenderloin Clubhouse.
Read full press release.
Willie Mays Tribute Wall Dedication
September 24, 2008 at AT&T Park
On Wednesday, September 24, a new Tribute Wall was dedicated at the Willie Mays entrance at AT&T Park. The wall celebrates Willie Mays, the Giants, and Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco. It features a photo of the Willie Mays Boys & Girls Club at Hunters Point and the names of donors who supported the Giants’ campaign. The unveiling ceremony included remarks by BGCSF President Rob Connolly, Willie Mays, and Larry Baer, COO of the Giants/BGCSF board member. Members of the Willie Mays Clubhouse also helped Mr. Mays present Gold Gloves to the highest level donors during an on-field home plate ceremony just before the Giants vs. Rockies game. Check out the wall next time you are at the ballpark!
See pictures from the event.
Excelsior Clubhouse Gets New Learning Center
July 29, 2008 at the Excelsior Clubhouse
Thanks to the support of the WNBA and a few of its sponsors (Goldman Sachs, Lenovo, and Toyota), the Excelsior Clubhouse’s Learning Center was renovated into a beautiful place to learn and grow.
On July 29, 2008, several current WNBA players, WNBA Legend and Olympian Jennifer Azzi, WNBA President Donna Orender, and Nate Thurmond of the Warriors joined nearly 50 BGCSF members for a ribbon-cutting and unveiling ceremony. The players also teamed up with the kids to explore the new space, read books and try out the new computers.
The new Learning Center received a wall-mounted flat screen TV; a bright new paint job; new computers; new area rug, window treatments and other decor; plus, new furniture. The renovation was part of the season-long Toyota Rebound Project, a community initiative jointly established by Toyota and the NBA.
BGCSF truly thanks the WNBA and its sponsors for making a difference at our Excelsior Clubhouse and for giving our members a fantastic new space for education programming!
See pictures from the event.
Willie Mays Boys & Girls Club Grand Opening
June 16, 2008 at Hunters Point
In a grand opening event featuring Mayor Gavin Newsom, City Attorney Dennis Herrera, and San Francisco Giants' Great Willie Mays, BGCSF officially opened the doors of its state-of-the-art Willie Mays Boys & Girls Club at Hunters Point on Monday, June 16. The $5.1 million facility features an organic garden and teaching kitchen; an art studio; a teen center; a games room; a community room; a full-size gymnasium; an internal courtyard; a play yard, and a SFPD Community Policing office.
The Clubhouse was formed in a partnership between the City of San Francisco and BGCSF. Mayor Newsom and City Attorney Herrera originally approached BGCSF with the idea to open a Club in Hunters Point in 2004, in response to escalating violence in the neighborhood.
Read the full press release.
Boys Night Out & Girls Day
April 11 and 12, 2008 at Columbia Park Clubhouse
The Columbia Park Clubhouse played host to our annual signature events, Boys Night Out and Girls Day, on April 11 and 12, respectively. The events paired over 200 boys and girls with a "big buddy" for lighthearted competition, games, food and prizes. Attendees participated in a putting challenge, free throw contest, a pinball contest, pictionary, and much more. To get involved, please contact Erica Perez at (415) 445-5482 or mailto:eperez@kidsclub.org
See pictures from the event.
Bright Futures Start With Strong Foundations
March 19, 2008 at Columbia Park Clubhouse
Thank you to all those who joined us at our largest annual fundraising event! Held at our Columbia Park Clubhouse, the event raised $520,000, and attracted a crowd of over 300. The event served as the public launch of the organization’s capital campaign the largest fundraising effort in BGCSF’s 117-year history. Themed “Bright Futures Start With Strong Foundations,” the evening celebrated the organization’s rich history in San Francisco and the bright futures of its members. It included program showcases and speeches by Citywide Youth of the Year Patrice Bryant and Tenderloin Clubhouse Youth of the Year Yaroslav Malev. The evening also commemorated the 100th anniversary of Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco in the Mission District.
Special thanks to our event co-chairs Lycia Fried and Ann-Ferrell Millham. Their tremendous work made the evening a success!
See pictures from the event.
Press Room Archives - 2007
34th Annual Golf Tournament
September 17 at The Olympic Club
Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco’s 34th Annual Golf Tournament was a tremendous success, raising just under $200,000 to support our programs and services. On Monday, September 17, participants tested their abilities at the prestigious Olympic Club, which hosted the U.S. Amateur in August and will host the U.S. Open in 2012. The tournament featured a longest drive competition, putting contest, dinner and silent auction.A special thanksto all of our sponsors, especially Platinum Sponsors Robert and Suzanne Smith and to all of volunteers for making the event a success.
Willie Mays Boys & Girls Club At Hunters Point
Dedicated July 10, 2007, the Morning of the 78th Annual All-Star Game
Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco’s Hunters Point Clubhouse was renamed after Hall of Famer Willie Mays during a dedication ceremony on the morning of the All-Star Game.Joining in the celebration were San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, City Attorney Dennis Herrera, Major League Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig, Giants President and Managing General Partner Peter Magowan, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco board members, youth and staff, and the Bayview/Hunters Point community.
Mr. Mays called his involvement in the project “a homecoming.”The Clubhouse is located in the same community where he established his reputation as one of baseball’s greatest players while playing for the San Francisco Giants at Candlestick Park.
The event also kicked off the Clubhouse’s renovation.It is slated to open in 2008 as a state-of the-art facility serving 200 children and teens a day.While under construction, the Clubhouse continues to provide local young people with programs six days a week.
See pictures from the Willie Mays Dedication event.
See pictures from the 78th Annual All-Star Game.
Read full press release.
Opening Doors For Kids:
A Clubhouse event honoring Doris and Don Fisher
May 15 at the Columbia Park Clubhouse
Our annual spring event honored Gap, Inc. Founders Doris and Don Fisher for an amazing 43 years of commitment and service to Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco.The evening included a Clubhouse showcase -- featuring information and displays about the organization's programs -- followed by a formal dinner in the Columbia Park Clubhouse courtyard.The event turned out a crowd of over 300 and raised $700,000 for our organization.
Club members Antwan and Olushade served as emcees for the evening and presented the Fishers with their award.Both teens were recently named 2007 Youth of the Year at their neighborhood Clubhouses. Antwan was also named Citywide Youth of the Year and ultimately reached the State finals with five other Boys & Girls Club members from across the state.
