Club Highlights – May 2026
MAY CLUB HIGHLIGHTS 20th AnniversaryGenerals Club Gathering! We had a blast at our 20th Generals Club Gathering at Funky Buddha! This year, Doug Cady, President of AA Advance Air, Inc., was honored with the Generals Club Leadership Award. And one of our very own, 2025 Youth of the Year, Nashon H. from our Leo Goodwin Foundation Teen Center addressed our Generals regarding his interest in the electrical field. Nashon is one of the many Club members who attended our Annual Generals Construction Career Day in March. The Generals Club was founded by visionary leaders Terry Stiles, Tom Miller, Bob Case, and Kurt Langsenkamp, and continues to thrive under the dedicated leadership of Chair Krystyna Ermer. An Award of Gratitude was presented to Bob Case for his many years of heartfelt passion poured into The Generals Club Program. All proceeds from The Generals Club Gathering directly support the continuation of this impactful program, helping to provide vital opportunities and resources for our youth at BGCBC. We thank our 2026 Generals Club Members: 20th Anniversary VIP GeneralJA&M Developing, LLC – Annie Mecias-Murphy 5 Star GeneralsAA Advance Air, Inc. – Doug Cady C. Davis Electric Co., Inc. – Mike Gagliano Nielson, Hoover & Company, ACRISURE – Chuck Nielson Slade Construction – Jeff Slade Steel Fabricators – Max Turner Stiles Corporation – Ken Stiles Thermal Concepts – Krystyna Ermer Rita & Rick* Case FamilyGary Wendt Associate GeneralsAll Atlantic Benefits – John Tolan, Brandon Kress, Veronica Ferrari Empire Lighting Resources – Bob Caggiano FPL – Sean October Verizon Business – Vincent Peragin Associate GeneralsAction Roofing – Anthony Perera Amalgamated Construction – Das Khan ANF Group, Inc. – Al Fernandez, Nelson Fernandez Charland Rurey Construction – Bill Charland, Tim Rurey Hotwire Communications – Brian LaTorre Inspected – Ian Cohen Scaff-Tech, LLC – Edward Rodriguez William R. Nash – Ryan Nash Thank you to all our staff, supporters, community partners and Board Chair, Peter Oldbury for helping make this happen! Join our General’s Club Today Read More 14th Annual Bowling For Kids Event We are so grateful to all of our supporters, staff and community partners that came out for “Bowling For Kids” event supporting our Marti Huizenga Club. This Club has long been a staple in the City of Hollywood, serving as a safe and supportive space for generations of youth and families. Your generosity keeps our Clubs and Teen Centers going. Donate Today College Decision Day From acceptance letters to final choices, our Teens are officially committing to the next chapter of their journey. With confidence, courage, and the support of their mentors, families, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, these future leaders are heading to colleges and universities ready to thrive. Whether they’re the first in their family to attend college or continuing a legacy, this moment represents hard work, resilience, and a bright future ahead. Join us in celebrating our scholars as they say, “Yes!” to their future. Empower Our Youth The Jesus Luzardo Family Foundation Scholarships The Jesus Luzardo Family Foundation awarded scholarships to 10 graduating seniors who maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher and demonstrate outstanding character and academic excellence, helping them further their education. Help us congratulate our amazing graduates! Ben S. – Carver Ranches Club Richard R.- Carver Ranches Club Zyann D. – Carver Ranches Club Winson C. -Florence A. DeGeorge Cub Luigi M.- Fred DeLuca Teen Center Naomy J. – Marti Huizenga Club Delanie C. – Marti Huizenga Club Timothy S. – Lester H. White Club/NFL Yet Center Hervinica B. – Leo Goodwin Foundation Teen Center Marlee M. – Leo Goodwin Foundation Teen Center This effort reflects the foundation’s mission to support academic success and expand opportunities for our youth. We are so gracious to Jesus and The Jesus Luzardo Family Foundation for their continuous support of our mission. Hair Braiding Superstars Congratulations to the 14 Club members who graduated from our Hair Braiding Class Program! In collaboration with the City of Hollywood and under the instruction of Ms. Ashley Williams from 1 Salon Life Academy, participants learned the fundamentals of hair braiding and earned their Salon Assistant and Hair Braiding certificates. Big thanks to City of Hollywood and 1 Salon Life Academy for supporting this initiative! Click Here to Get Started STEM in action In partnership with The City of Deerfield, our youth at our Jim & Jan Moran Club, had the privilege of exploring math in motion, discovering the science behind bubbles, and even got the chance to dive into hands-on activities that brought real-world problem solving to life. Programs like these spark curiosity, build confidence and show our youth what’s possible when learning is interactive, engaging and fun. We thank the City of Deerfield for their unwavering dedication to support our youth! Shape Bright Futures with Us Impact 4 Good Hosts a Bike Build Teamwork brings great joy during Impact 4 Good’s Bike Build event, hosted at Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa. Because of the incredible hands-on effort from our partners and volunteers, 20 brand new bikes complete with helmets and locks are now headed home with Club members, giving them freedom, confidence, and a whole new way to explore their world. Thank you Impact 4 Good for partnering with us. Fuel Bright Futures Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Educators make a lasting impact by inspiring confidence, encouraging growth, and helping students and our Club members reach their full potential. Afterschool Professionals Appreciation week is a meaningful time to recognize their dedication, patience, and the difference they make every day. 2026 Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Conference We were proud to represent Broward County at the 2026 BGCA National Conference in Charlotte, NC. Bringing together leaders from across the country, the conference was a powerful reminder that the work happening locally at BGCBC is part of a much bigger movement dedicated to empowering young people everywhere. We returned inspired, energized and equipped with new ideas, strategies and connections that will directly strengthen the experiences we create for the
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
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.
“United For Youth” Inaugural Roundtable Brings Together Community for Collaborative Solutions
“United For Youth” Inaugural Roundtable Brings Together Community for Collaborative Solutions Earlier this year, Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County (BGCBC) initiated a comprehensive Tri-County Brand Health Study for Boys & Girls Clubs across South Florida. The first of its kind in Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s (BGCA) history. The study was designed to better understand BGCBC organization’s impact and perception across the region and to ensure we continue meeting the evolving needs of youth and families. Through this groundbreaking process, two urgent challenges emerged that are deeply affecting our Broward County community: youth violence and mental health especially among teens. Recognizing the importance of addressing these issues collectively, BGCBC convened its first-ever “United For Youth” Roundtable, a powerful gathering designed to spark collaboration, share insights, and take action for our youth. The discussion featured three remarkable teen voices — Marlee M., Nashon H., and Jakeclaude M. — representing the Leo Goodwin Foundation Teen Center, alongside key community stakeholders. The event was moderated by Board Chair Pete Oldbury, whose thoughtful leadership fostered open dialogue and inspired meaningful next steps. This inaugural session marked the beginning of a unified movement, one that strengthens collaboration between families, schools, and youth organizations to build safer, healthier communities where young people can thrive. The inaugural roundtable brought together an inspiring group of community leaders, educators, health systems, parents, law enforcement, and teens for a dynamic conversation centered on youth safety, empowerment, and education. Together, participants identified two key action items , each aimed at empowering parents and equipping families to support their children in the digital age: 1. Social Media Education & Safety for Parents Equip parents with the knowledge and tools to help youth navigate the online world safely. Launch engaging video resources with practical strategies families can use at home. 2. Parent Support & Engagement Host forums and orientation sessions to connect parents, share experiences, and learn from experts. Establish Parent Support Groups tied to the digital safety campaign, providing ongoing guidance and connection. Encourage teen-generated videos that share authentic perspectives on responsible digital use and online safety. The “United For Youth” Roundtable embodies what happens when communities come together collaboration becomes action, and action drives change. When we unite around a shared mission, we can create environments where every young person feels supported, protected, and ready to reach their full potential. We want to thank our BGCBC Marketing and Communications Committee that include Board Members, Sara Noureddine of Florida Blue, Planned Growth and community partners, Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) for being involved in this important discussion. 👉 Join us in this mission. https://bgcbc.org/donate-now/#donate to help fuel programs and partnerships that build brighter futures for youth across Broward County.
