Beyond the Blue Door, May 2020

This time has truly been the most difficult for me as the leader of this organization. I just want to see our members and let them know that we see them, we hear them, and we love them! We’re all hoping our members are coping with all the changes they have faced over the last couple of months. Most importantly, we’re hoping they are also coping with the trauma of this pandemic as well as the trauma of recent events concerning communities of color. "As a nation we should expect better, and must do the work of dismantling systemic racism, ultimately ensuring the safety and dignity of all people. The accumulation of incidents like these leaves an indelible mark on young people, especially young people of color. At Boys & Girls Clubs, we believe we have a responsibility to use our positions as supportive adults to help members process the world around them, especially when times are hard."
- Jim Clark, President of Boys & Girls Clubs of America
https://www.bgca.org/news-stories/2020/May/BGCA-CEO-Jim-Clark-Statement-on-the-Death-of-George-Floyd

Fallon Brewington

CEO Boys & Girls Club

Raequan

How long have you been coming to the Club? Almost 10 years!

What do you miss most about the Club these days? Competitions and some of the staff, especially Mr. Markell and Mrs. Danielle.

Favorite Club memory? Planning basketball with Mr. Germann.

What have you been up to the last few months? Playing NBA 2K and Fortnite.

What are your plans after graduation? College, starting at Sandhills Community College before transferring to Louisburg College, Shaw University, or Fayetteville State University.

Dasani

How long have you been coming to the Club? Since kindergarten!

What do you miss most about the Club these days? Field trips and some of the staff members.

Favorite Club memory? Spending time at the Club when the Teens have extended hours and field trips, like Carowinds.

What have you been up to the last few months? Working and finishing up school work.

What are your plans after graduation? Obtaining an associate's degree from Sandhills Community College, then transferring to St. Augustine's University.

Jaquan

How long have you been coming to the Club? 11 years.

What do you miss most about the Club these days? Coming to hang out with friends and meeting new people.

Favorite Club memory? The annual Teens versus Law Enforcement basketball game!

What have you been up to the last few months? Applying for colleges and playing video games.

What are your plans after graduation? Attending Sandhills Community College for two years, then transferring to UNC Greensboro to obtain a degree in Business Administration.

LIGHT UP MOORE COUNTY

The Junior League of Moore County created a campaign, Light Up Moore County, to support our Club, inspired by the efforts of Megan Rouse's Light Up National fundraiser. The Junior League of Moore County pledged to match the first $2,500 in donations. There were 599 donors who raised over $46,000 for our Club. The ladies of the Junior League of Moore County delivered 1,452 luminaries to Aberdeen, Carthage, Pinebluff, Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Vass, and West End! These luminaries were lit on Mother's Day
Coupled with Megan's Light Up National fundraising effort, which raised over $16,000 from 181 donors, 41 days of our operational costs have been covered for the emergency food program. That means that the Light Up Moore County and Light Up National fundraisers helped ensure 136,488 breakfast and lunches could be distributed for children! THANK YOU Junior League of Moore County, Megan Rouse, and all of YOU who supported Light Up!