Family Science Night Sparks Curiosity at the Museum of Discovery and Science
Family Science Night Sparks Curiosity at the Museum of Discovery and Science Family Science Night Sparks Curiosity at the Museum of Discovery and Science We had an amazing time at our recent Family Science Night at the Museum of Discovery and Science! 🔬🧪⚛️🥼🚀 The evening was filled with excitement, discovery, and hands-on learning as our Club members and their families explored the wonders of STEM in an engaging and inspiring environment. From interactive experiences to memorable moments shared together, Family Science Night was a true celebration of curiosity, learning, and possibility. One of the most special parts of the evening was seeing our Club members recognized for their participation and enthusiasm. Receiving their certificates and their very own official lab coat made the experience even more meaningful, giving them a sense of pride, accomplishment, and belonging as young scientists in the making. By exposing our Club members to a deeper level of science, technology, engineering, and math, we are giving them the tools, confidence, and inspiration to succeed both inside and outside the classroom. Through this partnership, youth benefit from STEM learning facilitated by museum educators, hands-on projects, family engagement opportunities, and access to enriching museum experiences that spark creativity and innovation. A special thank you to our incredible staff and teams who helped make this event such a success, and to our generous supporters, Wayne and Lucretia Weiner, whose commitment to education and community impact helped make this experience possible. Their support helps open doors for our youth to learn, grow, and imagine brighter futures through STEM. We are so proud of our Club members and grateful to everyone who played a part in making this event unforgettable. Learn more about our amazing program
Club Highlights – March 2026
Club Highlights Role Models Who Inspire featuring Dr. Ben Carson When dynamic leaders lead by example, young minds are shaped! Through our “Role Models Who Inspire” program, we are honored to welcome and thank Dr. Ben Carson, retired neurosurgeon, academic, author, and government official, for enlightening our Teens at JM Family Teen Center in Deerfield Beach, FL. It’s meaningful moments like these that mold the path for our youth—showcasing the importance of success through hard work, dedication, integrity and leadership. Big thanks to our dedicated Board Member, Thomas Godart for all the support! Get More Info Welcoming Rear Admiral Ryan M. Perry into The BGCBC Hall of Fame We are proud to announce Admiral Ryan M. Perry as one of our highly esteemed 2026 BGCBC Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees. Rear Admiral Ryan M. Perry (retired) is a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He is a 1997 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. Perry holds a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College and is accredited in public relations and military communication. Perry was a proud member of William E. Slaughter Club/ S. Robert Levine Club, formerly the North Lauderdale Club, where he learned life skills, and was presented with life-changing opportunities that guided him to where he is today. We are so honored to recognize him! Join us to congratulate him. Watch Video Read More Congrats, Chris Gentile! The 2025 W. Errol Sewell Leadership Award, also known as the Southeast CEO of the Year Award, is one of the highest honors a CEO can receive within the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Movement. Named after W. Errol Sewell — a transformational leader who helped establish more than 1,000 new Clubs nationwide and expanded the Boys & Girls Clubs Movement into public housing, schools, Native lands, and U.S. military installations — the award recognizes CEOs whose leadership strengthens the Movement through vision, integrity, and an unwavering focus on youth. We are proud to share that our very own Chris Gentile, Co-CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, has been recognized by Boys & Girls Clubs of America with the W. Errol Sewell Leadership Award. Chris exemplifies Sewell’s legacy through his strategic leadership, deep community partnerships, and steadfast commitment to ensuring every young person has access to high-quality Club experiences. This recognition reflects not only his personal excellence, but also the strength, passion, and dedication of our entire organization to the mission of enabling all young people — especially those who need us most — to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. Congratulations, Chris. Your leadership continues to inspire us all. Topgolf Tournament: Fore the Kids Event We’re proud to celebrate the success of our 2nd Annual Topgolf Tournament Fore The Kids—an incredible event dedicated to supporting the Club members and teens we serve. Thanks to the generosity of our community, this event directly benefits our Thomas D. Stephanis Club and Hierholzer Teen Center, where teens gain access to academic support, mentorship, and leadership development opportunities that help them succeed both in school and in life. Programs like these play a critical role in improving academic outcomes, building confidence, and preparing our teens for brighter futures. We are especially grateful to Christy and Larry Hierholzer for their continued dedication and passion for empowering young people. Their support, along with the incredible partners that include Publix, J.R. Dunn Jewelers, AEF schools, The Bridge Group, All Atlantic Benefits and the Murphy Family all helped to make this event possible and impactful. Your support empowers our teens to succeed both academically and beyond. Thank you for investing in their future. We can’t wait to see the continued impact. Shape Futures, Together Generals Construction Career Day Success! The 2026 Generals Construction Career Day, hosted by Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, welcomed more than 200 teen Club members, ages 14–18, for a high-energy, hands-on career exploration experience as we proudly celebrated 20 years of impact at the Leo Goodwin Foundation Teen Center/William E. Slaughter Club/S. Robert Levine Campus in North Lauderdale, FL with support from City of North Lauderdale Commissioner Darrell (Dee) Lewis-Ricketts. The event featured top construction and trade industry partners who led interactive learning stations with live demonstrations, hands-on activities, and direct engagement in fields such as roofing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, general contracting, engineering, and project management. Teens rotated through multiple stations, gaining insight into career pathways, certifications, earning potential, and apprenticeship opportunities while also building workplace readiness skills like communication, teamwork, and professionalism. We also highlighted alumni success stories, including Rick Case Vocational Scholarship recipients Jimmy Arneus, now enrolled in the HVAC program at Sheridan Technical College, and Zaden Jeantinord, pursuing Automotive & EV Technology at Universal Technical Institute. The day inspired and connected youth to real opportunities in the skilled trades, while providing companies with an organized, engaging platform to directly impact the future workforce of Broward County. Thank you to our staff and industry professionals who continue investing in the future of our workforce. Get Involved International Automotive Excellence Gala Recap The 19th Annual International Automotive Excellence Gala was an unforgettable evening celebrating leadership, innovation, and impact within the automotive industry. We were honored to recognize two remarkable leaders:– Rusty Wallace – 2026 Racing Automotive Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient– Teddy Morse – 2026 Dealer Automotive Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient The Gala raised critical funds for our youth development organization helping ensure our youth have access to mentorship, opportunity, and safe spaces to grow. A special thank you to our staff, supporters, community partners, board members and all who share the commitment to making this event a success year after year. Read More A Day in The Glades! Recently, some of our Club members went on an Everglades extravaganza! From an airboat ride to watching native animals interact in their natural habitats was educational and so much fun! The alligators and birds were seen while on the airboat ride, while the snakes, turtles, American crocodiles, and lizards were seen in enclosures
Celebrating Curiosity, Confidence, and STEM Futures at the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS)
Celebrating Curiosity, Confidence, and STEM Futures at the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) Our Club members participating in the incredible program at the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) recently reached an exciting milestone Parent Night Showcase and it was a powerful moment of pride, learning, and celebration. This hands-on, immersive program is designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and a passion for STEM. Throughout the experience, Club members engaged in experimentation, problem-solving, and real-world exploration. During Parent Night, they proudly presented their projects to their families, showcasing not only what they learned, but the confidence, communication skills, and critical thinking they’ve developed along the way. One of the most memorable moments of the evening was seeing each participant receive their official lab coat and certificate—a meaningful symbol of their dedication, growth, and belief in their own potential. Programs like this directly support the four pillars of impact at Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County: • Academic Success – Strengthening STEM skills, problem-solving, and curiosity-driven learning • Character & Leadership – Building confidence, perseverance, and pride through achievement • Health & Well-Being – Creating positive, supportive environments where youth feel encouraged and celebrated • Life & Workforce Readiness – Exposing young people to STEM pathways and future career possibilities We extend our heartfelt thanks to our generous supporters Wayne and Lucretia Weiner, whose investment makes opportunities like this possible. Their commitment helps ensure our youth have access to experiences that inspire learning, growth, and future success. We also want to thank our incredible staff at both BGCBC and MODS for their commitment and all our community partners as well. Learn More
Club Highlights – January 2026
Club Highlights 29th Annual Dunn’s Run has Record Breaking Attendance! Early in the morning on Sunday, January 11th, 2026, Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County held its 29th Annual Publix Supermarket Charities Dunn’s Run, presented by JM Family Enterprises. The City of Deerfield Beach was generous enough to share their beach, various parking lots, and roadways to bring in over 1,200 participants and families. This year we had a record number of vendors that added to the excitement of this family-friendly event! Our organization couldn’t have done this without our FANTASTIC committee, staff, sponsors, volunteers, and vendors! Big thanks to our J.R. Dunn Jewelers, Dunn’s Run Event Founder and Tony Van Ness, Dunn’s Run Event Chair. Check out the event photos by Downtown Photo here 2026 Youth of the Year Candidates We are incredibly proud of our Youth of the Year candidates, young people who boldly shared their stories, their leadership, and their belief in our Clubs and our mission. Each one of them represents the very best of Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, and we celebrate every Youth of the Year who stepped forward with courage and heart. We are proud to move forward with a Final Four, who will take the stage and speak at our Today’s Youth, Tomorrow’s Leaders Gala on January 31st. Our Youth of the Year Finalists are: Keirah – Fred DeLuca Teen Center Jakeclaude – Leo Goodwin Foundation Teen Center Ben – Carver Ranches Club Isabelen – The Harry T. Mangurian Jr. Foundation Teen Center We would also like to express our gratitude and thanks to our incredible panel of judges who provided positive feedback and encouragement for our Youth of the Years! If you are interested in joining us at our gala Saturday, January 31st, 2026: Click here to purchase tickets Panda Cares We would like to acknowledge Panda Cares’ ongoing commitment, including providing nutritious meals that help fuel our Club members so they can stay focused, healthy, and ready to learn. Panda Cares & Boys & Girls Clubs of America work together to ensure all youth have access to quality learning experiences. Since 2020, Panda Cares has contributed more than $62 million to strengthen academic programs, support Project Learn, open Panda Cares Centers of Hope, and provide scholarships impacting over 1 million youth nationwide. Thank you, Panda Cares, for helping us empower the next generation and invest in brighter futures. Empower the Next Generation Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) Parent Showcase Our Club members who are a part of our incredible program at Museum of Discovery and Science —a hands-on, immersive journey that sparks creativity and inspires futures in STEM, recently had a parent night showcase! From experimenting and problem-solving to building and exploring real-world concepts, our Club members shared their projects with their families and proudly received their official lab coats and certificates. This was a powerful moment celebrating their hard work, confidence, and growth. A heartfelt thank you to our generous supporters Wayne and Lucretia Weiner whose investment makes opportunities like this possible for our youth. Because when young people are given access, encouragement, and belief, their potential is limitless. Find Out More Miami Herald’s Wish Book Campaign This holiday season, we are eternally grateful for the Miami Herald’s Wish Book Campaign. Thank you for sponsoring three of our incredible families with generous contributions—spreading holiday joy & magic where it mattered most! Because of community partners like you, Willie H. (and family) of Gary Wendt Teen Center, Christian W. (and family) of Florence A. De George Club and Mauricio C. (and family) of Rita & Rick Case Club got to enjoy the holiday with less stress and financial burden.————————————————————-About the Miami Herald Wish Book CampaignFor 125 years, the Miami Herald has helped the community during the holiday season through our Wish Book campaign aimed at assisting South Floridians who need it the most. The needs this year are just as acute as they were in 1982, when we launched the first campaign. Wish Book was created in the belief that if people in our community can understand the struggles others are facing, they’ll rise to the occasion. Time and again, Miami has done just that.————————————————————- This holiday season, we are eternally grateful for the Miami Herald’s Wish Book Campaign. Thank you for sponsoring three of our incredible families with generous contributions—spreading holiday joy & magic where it mattered most! Because of community partners like you, Willie H. (and family) of Gary Wendt Teen Center, Christian W. (and family) of Florence A. De George Club and Mauricio C. (and family) of Rita & Rick Case Club got to enjoy the holiday with less stress and financial burden.—————————-About the Miami Herald Wish Book CampaignFor 125 years, the Miami Herald has helped the community during the holiday season through our Wish Book campaign aimed at assisting South Floridians who need it the most. The needs this year are just as acute as they were in 1982, when we launched the first campaign. Wish Book was created in the belief that if people in our community can understand the struggles others are facing, they’ll rise to the occasion. Time and again, Miami has done just that.—————————– Join Our Mission Marty Kiar Toy Drive: Rita & Rick Case Club Toy Drive magic at our Rita & Rick Case Boys & Girls Club and The Harry T. Mangurian Jr. Foundation Teen Center! Huge thanks to Marty Kiar and his incredible team for spreading holiday cheer, joy and providing incredible toys for our youth. And a special shoutout to Topping Kessler, Certified Public Accountants, for bringing the fun with festive stations and games that kept the smiles going all day long. We appreciate you all so much for bringing the holiday spirit to life at the Club. Because of you, this special season was even brighter for our Club ‘kids’! Watch the Fun Here Fifth Third Bank Financial E-bus Visit Our Club members over at our Rita & Rick Case Club & The Harry T.
Big News: Dolphins Camp, MODS & a Brand-New Teen Center!
Club Highlights Incoming: New Florence A. De George Teen Center We are honored and excited to share the great news that Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County has secured a $400,000 state appropriation to build a brand-new Teen Center at our Florence A. De George Club in Davie FL! We want to thank Senator Dr. Barbara Sharief and Representative Michael Gottlieb for their commitment to helping Broward’s youth and believing in their future. We appreciate you taking time to tour our Club and meet our Club members. This upcoming Teen Center will allow us to serve our youth ages 13-18 with the tools they need. With this investment, we’re able to continue to focus on our 4 pillars of impact: Academic Success Character & Leadership Health & Well-Being Life & Workforce Readiness We also want to say a huge thank you to our partners: TSE Consulting, and every supporter who contributes to help keep our mission going. Help Support Our Youth Development Organization Today! Carter’s X BGCA Cause Campaign Afterschool academic support helps kids stay on track throughout the school year, while fun and engaging summer programming combats summer learning loss in areas like math and reading. Help youth achieve academic success by donating at checkout at your local Carters Inc. Your donation will allow Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County to continue offering programs that inspire a love of learning in and out of the classroom. Learn More About The Initiative Manheim by Cox Automotive X BGCA Cause Campaign We’re proud to partner with Manheim by Cox Automotive as they kick off their annual fundraiser to support Boys & Girls Clubs across the country! Now through August 31, Manheim locations nationwide are rallying together to raise funds that directly support STEM programming at local Clubs—like Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County. These programs spark curiosity, build critical thinking skills, and prepare young people for the careers of tomorrow. Thank you, Manheim, for helping to open doors and create brighter futures through the power of STEM! Join The Cause Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County at MODS This incredible new partnership will provide a safe and supportive environment, promote academic, social and emotional development and enhance a love for learning in an immersive museum setting that inspires curiosity, imagination and creativity. Our Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County at MODS “Fueling Great Futures Through STEM” program will engage youth from diverse backgrounds, foster a sense of belonging, provide mentorship and guidance and open doors to youth who might otherwise lack access to enriching experiences in a museum. We want to thank our generous supporters Wayne and Lucretia Weiner and UKG for their in-kind contributions. Their support is helping us fuel futures and shape tomorrow’s leaders. Read on About the Program Components 4-Session Entrepreneur Course Facilitated by Jonathan Fichman Congratulations to the Teen Club members at The Harry T. Mangurian Jr. Foundation Teen Center on completing our 4-session entrepreneurship course, facilitated by Jonathan Fichman. Over several weeks, our Teen Club members learned how to develop business ideas, create business plans, and deliver professional presentations. Then they had the chance to proudly showcased their final pitches to a panel of judges. All Club members received certificates of completion. The top three business presentations were awarded gift cards ranging from $50 to $100, and our first-place winner Avery B also received an iPad to support the launch of their business. We’re so proud of their hard work and can’t wait to see what they do. Visit www.bgcbc.org to learn more about us. BGCA Presents Dove Self Esteem Project We are so ecstatic that our Club members were a part of Boys & Girls Clubs of America presents Dove Self-Esteem Project event! Thank you to all our Lauderhill Club members and staff for helping make this happen. Watch the Recap Video Congrats, Chris Gentile! We’re thrilled to celebrate yet another proud moment for one of our very own, Chris Gentile, Co-CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County on his appointment to the Board of Directors for the Florida Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs. Chris has dedicated a decade to empowering our Broward County youth and strengthening our South Florida community far beyond our blue doors.Now, he’ll bring that same unwavering passion, vision, leadership and commitment to support Boys & Girls Clubs across the entire state of Florida! Congratulations, Chris, on this well-deserved recognition! We are so proud of you and the incredible work you continue to do. We can’t wait to see you shine throughout our great state. Florida “Club Kids” just gained another fierce advocate! Read More About His Significant Milestone Back-to-School Initiatives/ Events We are so thankful to the following individuals/companies who helped our Club members/Teens gear up for the new school year. Bradley Chubb – Back-to-School Bash at Lester H. White JCPenney – Back-to-School shopping experience in Broward Mall Manheim by Cox Automotive- Backpack & School Supplies Donations donated to Rita & Rick Case Club members Ed Morse – Shop-With-A-Cop (New kicks for some of our lucky Club members) Florida Blue- Back-to-School Event in Sunrise Your generous donation of backpacks, supplies, shoes and more, gets our youth ready to learn, dream and achieve. Thank you for helping us shape futures! Miami Dolphins: A Fun-Filled Day at Training Camp Our Marti Huizenga Club members were ecstatic to join Bradley Chubb and the Chubb Foundation for a memorable day in Miami Gardens. From a private tour of the facilities to sitting on the field (VIP style) for an up-close view of training camp, our youth had a blast! Special thanks to Bradley Chubb and Chubb Foundation for the continued support of our youth! Shape Futures With Us Summer M.O.S.T. Program Topgolf Fun with a Purpose! Our Summer M.O.S.T. program, powered by the Children’s Services Council of Broward County helps us take learning beyond the classroom with an exciting field trip to Topgolf! Through this real-world adventure, Club members sharpened focus, built teamwork, and had a blast—all while staying active
