EXECUTIVE NEWSLETTER
Spring/Summer 2010
 

Spring Events

Our 19^th annual auction was held on Saturday, April 24^th with a full house at the Ludlow Country Club. This years’ theme was a “magical” black and white theme complete with a performing magician “Magic Al’” Sawicki from Chicopee, our celebrity auctioneer John O’ Brien from Rock 102, and support from over 220 attendees. A special thanks to our sponsors TD Bank and Hasbro for their support and the best part of the night was that we raised over $38,000 to support the Club. Mark your calendars for what promises to be a great 20^th annual auction on Saturday April 30, 2011. Theme to be announced at a later date.

Sheriff’s Triathlon

The weather could not have been better for over 220 participants and 100 volunteers on Sunday May 2nd for the 6^th Annual Triathlon sponsored by Hampden County Sheriff Michael Ashe. Country Bank once again sponsored our event which would not be possible without the support and expertise of our many Ludlow town departments, including the Board of Selectmen, the Department of Public Works, the Fire Department, and the Police Department and their special police. As a result of everyone’s efforts especially Kevin Crowley, race chair and his committee plus members of the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department we were able to raise approximately $5,000 for the Club.

Club Triathlon

Rain did not dampen the spirits of over176 athletes who participate in this years’ race on Sunday June 6th with James Carothers and Martha Grinnell taking top honors in the men’s and women’s divisions. A special thanks goes out to our loyal sponsors, Luso Federal Credit Union and FieldEddy Insurance Agency, for their continuing support of the triathlon and 2^nd year sponsor Hampden County Physicians who also brought employee volunteers the day of the race. Thanks to our triathlon captains, over 75 staff and volunteers including our volunteer friends from Country Bank who showed up in force to lend their continuing support of the triathlon. Thanks also go out to Lori Martins at Dunkin Donuts, Dr. Steve McDaniel, Ray & Diane Robbins of Miracle Method, Yvonne Santos of United Bank, Ilda Panetta of BankNorth, and A.J. Palatino of Clean Cans for their continuing support. Thanks again to all our Town Departments who as I mentioned before always make this a safe and fun race for our participants, volunteers and spectators.

It Just Takes One Annual Campaign

Our 2010 annual campaign has kicked off with our board and employee phases complete. Board members are currently soliciting fellow corporators for their annual support of the Club.

We have once again set a lofty goal of $50,000 which we are confident of making despite some still uncertain economic times. It is times like this that brings out the generosity in individuals. All donations to the One Campaign are used for general operating support and your gift will help us provide a safe place for members, life-enhancing programs, Character & leadership, Education & career, Health & Life skills, Sports, fitness & recreation programs.

Patricia & Raphael Rodrigues 2010 Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Club is currently soliciting members, alumni and business associates for contributions to the Patricia & Raphael Rodrigues Memorial Scholarship Fund. Friends and family created their fund in honor of both Pat & Ray’s commitment to the youth of Ludlow and the Ludlow Boys & Girls Club. Pat served as a thirty year member of the Club’s professional staff and Ray served as a member of the corporation and Alumni Association. Their fund will support scholarships for our children and families in need of financial assistance to participate in our after school and summer camp programs. Pat & Ray’s children contributed lead gifts for the creation of the scholarship campaign. This fund is a permanently restricted endowment fund. The interest from this fund will provide scholarships each year for children and families. Scholarship disbursements will begin the next full year after our fund reaches a minimal level of $10,000.  Our goal is to continue to build the fund principal through an annual solicitation to family, friends and the community at large.  

Planned Giving & Endowment

Boys & Girls Club of America can now provide our donors with a quarterly planned giving newsletter entitled Legacy in an electronic format. We will be e-mailing the electronic version to our donors as it becomes available. If you would like to provide us with your e-mail address simply log onto our website at www.ludlowBGC.org and provide us with your e-mail. There is a wealth of knowledge about planned giving and the next issue will provide valuable information on the advantages of charitable giving.

The Heritage Society recognizes those donors who have invested in the future of the Ludlow Boys & Girls Club by naming the Club as a beneficiary of estate plans. The Heritage Club expresses the appreciation of the Ludlow Boys & Girls Club for the generous intentions of its members regardless of the size of their designation. The key to our future success is our Founder’s Society and our Endowment. Founding  members inducted into the our Heritage Society to date include:  Berkshire Bank Foundation, Robert & Sandra Carnevale, Augie & Paula Calheno & Family, John & Penny DeBarge, Anthony & Jana Forzano, Phil & Penny Goncalves,  Sandra Kane, John & Denise Manganaro, Cynthia Manganaro, James & Sarah Moriarty, Barbara F. Randall, Brian & Evelyn Randall, Karen E. Peacey Sheehan and Edward & Deborah Sokolowski.

Inaugural Picnic at the Pavilion

Over 150 members of the Community Center/Boys & Girls Club attended our first member appreciation barbecue at our newly completed pavilion on Friday June 18^th. Dan D’Angelo served a chef extraordinaire and a good time was had by all including the professional staff, members of our board of directors, and corporators who got a chance to visit with members and to thank them for their support of the Club. Thanks to our guest speakers our Youth of the Year, Kevin Hotaling, Joe Leonczyk of Pioneer Valley Financial and Tony Forzano of Independent Financial Services for their great comments on what the Club means to them and their families. Our special thanks to the following businesses who donated to our barbecue: Big Y Foods, Friendly Ice Cream, Paul Romaniak and Performance Food Group, Randall’s Farm & Greenhouse and TD Bank.

2010 Youth of the Year

Congratulations to Kevin Hotaling the Ludlow Boys & Girls Club 2010 Youth of the Year! Kevin grew up at the Club and before becoming a counselor spent 13 years in virtually every program at the Club. He spent time in our before school, after school and summer camp programs. As a counselor Kevin has taken on a leadership role at the Club as his long term involvement with the Club has brought him full circle as he now is able to give back by helping kids as he once was in their “shoes”. Kevin has also been busy spending time assisting at youth basketball games and the annual father/daughter dances at the Club. It comes as no surprise to the professional staff that Kevin wants to become a teacher and coach. Kevin will be attending Holyoke Community College in the fall to pursue his teaching career.

The Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year program is based on its member’s abilities to demonstrate healthy attitudes toward home, community, school, and the Club. To achieve personal growth, develop leadership skills, develop writing, listening and speaking skills, and to identify with positive role models.  The Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Massachusetts honored all their 2010 Youths of the Year at their annual awards banquet hosted by Comcast and Ninety-Nine Restaurant at the Ludlow Country Club in May. 

Club Parents Receive Accolades from National Boys & Girls Club

Congratulations to Dave Young a parent, member, corporator, coach and volunteer at the Club who recently received the Family Plus Inspirational Father Award from Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Kimberly-Clark Corporation. As one of only 5 recipients across the country to earn this award, an award that celebrates the unique contributions that fathers make to the club’s family strengthening efforts. A father of 2 active Club members Dave has been instrumental in helping develop the goals and mission for the Club with his involvement in coaching, serving on the Clubs program committee and being an integral part of our outdoor field, pavilion and recreational complex.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America Family Plus Inspirational Mom Award
Congratulations to Club parent, corporator and Baird Middle School health coordinator Deb Casagranda on her award
Deb is currently employed as a health teacher at Baird Middle School in Ludlow, MA where she plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between the middle school and the Ludlow Boys and Girls Club. She continues to support our club’s efforts to strengthen our community by encouraging youths and families to participate together in community-wide events. She volunteers at the club participating in and coordinated events such as Kick Butts day (anti-smoking initiative), Fitness Day (in connection with the local middle school), High 5 adventure learning – high ropes course training. Both of Deb’s children have grown up at the Club. They attend our after school and summer camp programs, as well as participants in basketball, baseball, martial arts and swimming.