13TH ANNUAL BOCA RATON CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE
Presented by Mercedes-Benz and AutoNation, the 13th Annual Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance was held February 22-24 in Boca Raton. The weekend of festivities kicked-off on Friday night with the DuPont Registry Live Hangar Party at Atlantic Aviation at the Boca Raton Airport. Guests perused an impressive selection of cars, motorcycles and private jets, while enjoying an open bar and food from over 20 South Florida restaurants. The highlight of the night for guests was the chance to rub elbows with celebrity guests, Jay Leno and Indy 500 Champion, Ryan Hunter-Reay. Saturday night was the Grand Gala, Live Auction and Show. Guest enjoyed a cocktail reception, followed by a sit down dinner and the presentation of the National Automotive Manufacturer Lifetime Achievement Award to Mercedes-Benz USA President & CEO, Dietmar Exler, National Automotive Dealer Lifetime Achievement Award to Rick Hendrick, Chairman and Owner of the Hendrick Automotive Group and Hendrick Motorsports and National Automotive Racing Lifetime Achievement Award to Ryan Hunter-Reay, as well as a stellar performance by one of the most respected and successful comedians in the country, Jay Leno. Sunday morning kicked-off with a private Q&A brunch hosted by Jay Leno and Wayne Carini, host of Chasing Classic Cars. Once the show field opened, guests experienced an automotive showcase like not other, featuring over 200 cars and motorcycles from an array of time periods. Auto enthusiasts also had a chance to view the Marques of the Year, Bentley Motorcars. The “Best of Show Award” was presented to a 1937 Bugatti 57S Coupe owned by Richard Workman from Windermere, FL. Additionally, the “Founder Award” was presented to a 1933 Isotta FraschIni Tipo 8A, a 2-door Sports Tourer owned by Stephen Plaster from Lebanon, Missouri. Celebrity Judge Jay Leno joined an expert panel of judges including Chief Judge Dr. Paul Sable, Steve Moskowitz, Executive Director of AACA and Jay Quail, CCCA Executive Director. Additionally, Grand Marshal Wayne Carini, host of Chasing Classic Cars joined the group for another stellar year along with Master of Ceremonies Bill Rothermel and Tom duPont, who selected the finest vintage, antique, classic and exotic vehicles based on period, presentation and style.
2019 ANNUAL FLAG FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT
This year’s 2019 Annual Flag Football Tournament was hosted by the Stephanis club, with the championship games being played out at the NFL Lester H. White Club, on its beautiful mini-astro turf field. Members from all 12 of our clubs came together for a day of competition and the chance to showcase their skills, talent and teamwork. Each year we expect nothing but greatness from all of our club members and this year did not disappoint. The talent and heart of the players and coaches was evident from the first blow of the whistle. With every first down, catch, body juke, spin, and touchdown the games intensified. Spectators were glued to their seats as they didn’t want to miss one minute of play. As each round finished, the excitement showed on the faces of each participant, parent and coach involved. Congratulation to our 2019 Flag Football Tournament Winners! Cadets: Thomas D. Stephanis ClubJuniors: Thomas D. Stephanis ClubSeniors: Thomas D. Stephanis Club A special thank you to the Stephanis and Lester H. White Clubs and their staff for hosting the events, along with Eric Louis, Christine Richardson and Marsha Williams who helped to coordinate this event. And to all our Health & PE Coordinators, who work with our Club members throughout the year to prepare them for the tournament.
ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER HONORS BOARD MEMBERS AND STAFF
With the holiday season in full effect, BGCBC has an extra special reason to celebrate being grateful this year. On Thursday, November 29, 2018 BGCBC staff and volunteers came together for the Annual Awards Dinner to recognize the combined 140 years of service among our employees and volunteers who have helped shape the organization into what it is today. Rick & Rita Case Club Director, Ruthie Brown, celebrated 15 years of service with the organization and beautifully sang her thank you speech for the whole room to hear. Reitman Club Program Manager, Rashad Troutman, also celebrated 15 years of service and thanked BGCBC for giving him a safe place to go as a child. “BGCBC helped shape me into the man and father I am today and I’m proud to be in the club giving back as the staff once did for me” Troutman stated. Volunteers and board members, Dr. Doug Laurie and James R. Dunn celebrated 15 years of service while Alan Goldberg celebrated 25 years of giving time, energy, and support to the organization and BGCBC couldn’t be more appreciative. Along with honoring our volunteers and staff, the Annual Awards Dinner is also where the traditional “passing of the gavel” occurs for the Board of Directors. Wayne Gilmore was recognized for his service as 2017-2018 Chairman of the Board and the ceremonial gavel was passed to Jim Robertson, who will be 2018-2019 Chairman of the Board. “We thank Wayne for his wonderful leadership and look forward to Jim’s progressive vision as BGCBC works together to move the mission forward” said President/CEO, Brian Quail. Staff and Volunteer Years of Service are as follows: Staff 5 Year Awards: Adrian Brown, Dr. Chris Hamilton Staff 15 Year Awards: Ruthie Brown, Rashad Troutman Staff 20 Year Award: Margot Booth Corporate Board 5 Year Awards: Mitchell Berger, Phil Chrysler, Ron Hale Corporate Board 10 Year Award: Douglas Von Allmen Corporate Board 15 Year Awards: Dr. Doug Laurie, James R. Dunn Corporate Board 25 Year Award: Alan Goldberg Congratulations to all honorees and thank you for your continued service to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County!
THE 20TH ANNUAL ALLIGATOR ALLEY HARLEY-DAVIDSON BIKERS BASH
The 19th Annual Alligator Alley Harley-Davidson Bikers Bash was held December 6-9, 2018 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. A special thank you to our Honorary Chair Christopher Osceola of The Seminole Tribe of Florida, The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino , our “Leaders of the Pack” and our Title Sponsor, Alligator Alley Harley-Davidson for their generous support of the event. Additional thanks go to our many sponsors: Team National, JM Family Enterprises, The Rick Case Automotive Group, Exclusive Beauty Supplies, BaByliss Pro, Rusk, C Davis Electric, Two Georges at the Cove, Daytona Destination, Children’s Charity Riders, Hooters and so many more. The Bikers Bash event started on Thursday, December 6, 2018 with a kick off registration gathering at Alligator Alley Harley-Davidson. Friday included a police escorted day ride to Two George’s at The Cove followed by the Bikers Bash VIP event. The Bash’s 20th Anniversary included a special presentation to the Event Founders the late iconic Bruce Rossmeyer and Rita & Rick Case. Guests enjoyed a gourmet dinner and a special performance by Rough Shot while they bid on silent and live auction items including vacation packages, autographed memorabilia, and a special motorcycle custom-built by the members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County Bikers Bash Junior League with the assistance of Mr. Motorhead. Saturday included a police escorted day ride to the Rick & Rita Case Boys & Girls Club in Davie for a very special tour of the facility where the leadership of Team National distributed brand new toys for the Holidays for the Boys & Girls Club members. Immediately after our Club tour, the bikers went to Sawgrass Recreation Park for lunch and an airboat ride. The festivities concluded on Sunday, December 9th with the 31st Annual SFPC Christmas Toys in the Sun Run parade. Bikers Bash participants led the world’s largest police-escorted motorcycle parade from I-95 to I-595, concluding in Markham Park where the riders enjoyed a VIP catered tent, live entertainment, bike show and more.
26TH ANNUAL HWTS HONORS THE LATE H. WAYNE HUIZENGA
The 26th Annual “Hollywood Welcomes the Stars” event benefiting the Marti Huizenga Boys & Girls Club in Hollywood, was held on Thursday, October 18, 2018 at Margaritaville Beach Resort. This year we had a special tribute honoring Philanthropist H. Wayne Huizenga, “A Champion For Our Youth.” Wayne, who attended almost every Hollywood Welcomes the Stars event with his wife, Marti, was always ever so gracious in supporting this event to ensure its success. This year’s star-studded event featured red carpet arrivals from Hulk Hogan- 6 time WWE Champion and 2018 Boys & Girls Club of America Hall of Fame Inductee, as well as JessLee, a contestant from “The Voice”, Season 14, and Channing Crowder, former Miami Dolphins captain and host on Hochman, Crowder and Krantz Radio Show on 560 WQAM. The night also included a lavish buffet, live and silent auctions, and the exclusive opportunity to meet and mingle with the “who’s who” of Broward County. There was also a special presentation of the Caryl Boies Keystone Leadership award to Richard C. With the support of our committed Advisory Council members, the event was able to raise over $125,000. Over 1,200 at-risk children belong to the Marti Huizenga Boys & Girls Club. The well-trained and committed staff leads a wide range of programs in the areas of Academic Success, Good Character & Citizenship, and Healthy Lifestyles. The Club is a safe and positive place for children ages 6-18 years of age.
32 COLLEGE BOUND BGCBC MEMBERS AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS!
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County celebrated 32 exceptional adults during the Annual Scholarship Dinner on Thursday, July 12 at the Embassy Suites in Fort Lauderdale. The event honored 28 graduating seniors who received the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County Nan Knox Scholarship – an award named in honor of Nancy (Nan) Knox, a long-time BGCBC supporter. Club Members will receive $500 per year if they attend a college or university in Broward, Miami-Dade or Palm Beach counties. Recipients will receive $1,000 per year if they decide to attend school north of Palm Beach County. BGCBC also awarded two (2) Stanley G. Tate Broward College Prepaid Scholarships. This scholarship will cover up to 72 credit hours at Broward College. One of the highlights of the evening occurred when Kitty Rotella, the wife of long-time board member and avid supporter, Gary Rotella who passed away in 2015, presented the Gary Rotella Stars Prepaid Scholarship to two (2) deserving young people. The 4-Year Gary Rotella Stars Prepaid Scholarship is being awarded to Melvin Dean who is attending the University of Central Florida. The 2-Year Gary Rotella Stars Prepaid Scholarship is being awarded to Kayla Williams who is attending Broward College. Scholarship recipients are planning to attend Florida International University, Broward College, Honolulu Community College, Florida State University, Atlantic Tech College, Miami Dade Community College, Florida A&M University, Curry College, Webster University and Nova Southeastern University. During the scholarship dinner, Brian Quail, President/CEO of BGCBC welcomed the Club Members and told his story about the importance of education and how he was able to achieve his educational goals. The event also featured the College Panel, a group of Club Alumni who are current college students. The College Panel participants advised about getting involved in college, commuting to campus and how to prepare for life after college. During the Scholarship Awards Ceremony each Member was called to the front of the room to receive their scholarship certificate, greet the President/CEO, Brian Quail and Matt Organ, the Executive Vice President and then take a picture with Corporate Board Members: Jim Robertson, Peter Woolf, Susan Burkhardsmeier, John Clidas, and Bill Rotella. BGCBC congratulates all of the scholarship recipients, the supportive staff and the Corporate Board Members who make opportunities for our young people possible!
2018 NATIONAL KEYSTONE CONFERENCE
On Friday, June 22, 2018 early in the morning the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County Keystone Clubs loaded the Boss Transit Charter bus heading to Atlanta, Georgia for the 51st Annual National Keystone Conference. Keystone Club is a unique leadership development experience that provides teen Club members, ages 14-18, with opportunities to enhance their academic success while preparing for their future careers and improving their communities through service projects. This is the first Keystone Conference in its 51 year history to be held on a university campus. This was also the first time many of our participating teens had ever been on a campus. You could feel their excitement to be surrounded by what could one day be their next step in their journey to success. This year’s conferences with 2,200 in attendance. Presented by Aaron’s, Inc., the event united thousands of teens from diverse communities throughout the globe to connect, engage and explore relevant social issues that teens face each day, such as stereotypes, race and equality, through the conference’s theme “What’s the Move? Ignite Change.” Aaron’s partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s (BGCA) Keystone Program inspires teens to “Own It” by taking ownership of their choices to build the lives they deserve. The Aaron’s and Keystone Club “Own Your Future” campaign supports three principles: Our Keystone Club members participated in various breakout sessions throughout the three-day event to build leadership skills, increase their awareness and appreciation of diversity and to establish positive relationships with their peers from around the world. Teens also gathered each day to listen to inspiring stories from keynote speakers such as Olympian John Carlos, BGCA Alumnus and multifaceted celebrity Nick Cannon and singer-songwriter Keri Hilson. Some of the highlights of the conference arose when our Keystone Clubs attended the GOLD Social which is one of the prestigious levels of Keystone, being selected as guests in the VIP seating section along with our very own Mary Jane Pacheco of the Dr. Harold Reitman Unit who won an Apple IPad Mini and a Pop-A-Shot. In addition, the Nan Knox Panthers received 3rd Place for their Career Preparation Project and was awarded $500.00 for their hard work and dedication. The Keystoners capped off the National Conference by attending Six Flags Over Georgia alongside other Keystone members and Advisors.
8TH ANNUAL CAREER DAY
The 8th Annual Career Day took place on Thursday, March 29, 2018, at American Heritage School. Fourteen companies and institutions led presentations with over 200 teen Club Members. Presentations included music therapy, real estate, internet marketing, IT, aviation careers, and more! Broward County Public Schools led a special presentation about Naviance – the online program that helps teens prepare for life after high school. The program includes career research applications and resume builders that help Members prepare for different careers and schools. We sincerely appreciate all of the companies that participated including: JetBlueU.S. ArmyHotwire CommunicationsConnections for BusinessPaton Internet MarketingBroward County SchoolsBroward CollegeJM EnterprisesTeam NationalJiffy LubeCity CollegeNova Southeastern UniversityRotella Real EstateFace the Music Foundation Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County had the honor of enjoying Aphrodite Jones as the keynote speaker. Aphrodite Jones is a best-selling true crime author and journalist. Over the past two decades, Jones has written a string of best-selling true crime books and has provided TV commentary and expert insights into the psychological profiles of both criminals and victims. We also thank Debi Davis and Dr. Doug Laurie, Vice President of American Heritage School, for their hard work in making the 8th Annual Career Day a success!
8TH ANNUAL BOWLING FOR KIDS EVENT RAISES OVER $10,000!
The 8th Annual Bowling for Kids event was held on Sunday, May 6th at SpareZ in Davie. Organized by the Hollywood Advisory Council, the event raised over $10,000 for the Marti Huizenga Boys & Girls Club. Nearly 60 supporters and 30 members of the Marti Huizenga Unit were able to enjoy an afternoon of bowling that also included a Chinese raffle, pizza and awards!
THE 5TH ANNUAL CHANNING CROWDER FOOTBALL CAMP
On a cloudy Saturday morning in Fort Lauderdale 65 members showed up for the 5th Annual Channing Crowder Football Clinic at the Lester H. White club, but they got much more. Channing Crowder is a retired NFL player, family man and radio personality. He invited a few of his NFL friends, also club alumni, to spend quality time with members. They ran football skill drills and had a fun game of flag football. Kenyan Drake (Starting Running Back for the Dolphins), Kendall Langford (Free agent), David Bowens (retired Dolphin) and Terry Kirby (retired Dolphin) encouraged participants to do their best and demonstrate sportsmanship. Channing told the members he loved them at least 5 times. When asked why they were there, the members, who included girls and boys from 7 to 16, in unison responded “because you care for us”! The message was clear. Channing and friends autographed t-shirts, casts and whatever could be signed. Each member received a t-shirt and gift bag as well as breakfast and lunch and a full heart. Some even received special awards for character, teamwork and persistence. Although it didn’t rain and the sun never shined, the smiles on the kids’ faces were so bright, you couldn’t tell. Channing left the building barefoot – he continued his tradition of signing his shoes and giving them away. Thank you Channing and friends for caring.
