News about the Club
The following is a compilation of stories we have published on our site.
Jonathan Gerbig named 2010-2011 Youth of the Year!
Walmart Foundation awards Boys & Girls Club of Evansville $10,000!
Garrett Cadwalader, Youth of the Year, receives community Youth Award!
Ribbon Cutting & First Pitch Ceremony at Bellemeade Park!
Governor Mitch Daniels pays a visit to the New Club!
Boys & Girls Club of Evansville receives 2010 Community Impact Award!
Garrett Cadwalader named 2009-2010 Youth of the Year
Spring Break 2010 at the Boys & Girls Club!
Baseball Tomorrow Fund awards $75,000 to the Boys & Girls for the renovation of Bellemeade Park ball field.
The Kresge Foundation Awards $250,000 Challenge Grant to Boys & Girls Club Building Campaign.
Boys & Girls Club receives Schwab Innovation Award.
CJ Marshall named Youth of the Year.
Boys & Girls Club of Evansville receives proceeds from JLE Snowflake Soiree.
American General Financial Services announces $500,000 gift.
Old National Bank Foundattion announces $100,000 gift to new facility.
The Deaconess Women's Hospital sponsors SMART Girls program.
Club receives SuperFan Concession Stand.
Jonathan Gerbig named new Youth of the Year!
At the 4th Annual Steak & Burger - Youth of the Year Lunch (sponsored by TGI Fridays) held on Thursday, August 4, 2011, the Boys & Girls
Club announced Jonathan Gerbig as the 2011 Youth of the Year. Jonathan has been a member at the Club for six years and has been involved with numerous programs, community service projects and is a member of the Junior Staff. He graduated from Reitz High School this past spring and plans to attend the University of Southern Indiana this fall.
"Honestly the Boys and Girls club has changed my life. I owe a lot to the Club," said Jonathan, pictured holding his plaques (on his left is Ron Ryan - Executive Director. On his right are his parents, Jonna & Gary Gerbig).
The Youth of the Year program is the Boys & Girls Club's leadership program that focuses on building character, community service and Club involvement. Each Boys & Girls Club across the nation selects a Youth of the Year who then goes on to compete at the state level. Each State Youth of the Year goes on to compete at the regional and national level. The Boys & Girls Club of Evansville is proud to be the "home" for the 1965 National Youth of the Year, Ed Bassemier.
As an added surprise for Jonathan at the event, Dan & David Nix, owners of Pizza King Evansville,
presented him with a $500 scholarship check to assist with his college expenses. Jonathan will also be eligible for a $1,000 scholarship from the Boys & Girls Club of Evansville. Pizza King has signed on to the be the award sponsor for the Youth of the Month recipients. Each Youth of the Month will receive a prize package enabling them to take their family to dinner at Pizza King.
Many thanks to all who attended the lunch! Congratulations to Jonathan for earning this prestigious honor!
Local media features regarding the announcement (click on the link below):
Evansville
Courier & Press article.
Walmart Foundation awards Boys & Girls Club of Evansville $10,000! 
Supporting educational & leisure reading for tweens & teens
On Thursday, April 14, 2011, the Boys & Girls Club of Evansville announced the award of a $10,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation for the Bright Spot for Reading Initiative. The Walmart Foundation, in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, awarded a total of $1.15 million to support educational & leisure reading for tweens and teens.
This grant will allow the Boys & Girls Club of Evansville the opportunity to create a "Bright Spot" reading area specifically focused on Club members age 11-15. The center will offer activities in drama, art and technology; field trips and service learning projects to integrate reading opportunities into every area of the Club.
The Bright Spot Reading Center is part of the Boys & Girls Club of Evansville’s Alcoa Foundation Library, and is a local partnership with the Evansville-Vanderburgh Public Libraries. Representatives from the EVPL will come to the Bright Spot Reading Center to engage youth in educational and leisure reading as part of this program. Other activities scheduled as part of this initiative include an arts component, a summer reading program and other fun activities focused on encouraging young people to become life-long learners.
Click here for the Fox 7-WTVW feature about the program.
Garrett Cadwalader, current Youth of the Year, received Community Youth Award!
On Thursday, March 17, 2011, Leadership Evansville hosted the 16th Annual Celebration of Leadership, and Garrett Cadwalader, current Youth of the Year, receives the annual Youth Award. The Celebration of Leadership is a region-wide effort to recognize individuals, organizations and projects that have made significant contributions to our community. There were over 85 total nominees for a wide variety of awards, and Garrett was selected to receive this very special and prestigious award!
Garrett is currently a senior at North High School, and he plans to attend the University of Southern Indiana this coming fall. He has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club of Evansville since he was 6 years old. He serves the Club in a number of capacities including the Swoosh Club (a leadership program), a member of the Junior Staff and our current Youth of the Year. He will travel to Indianapolis in early May to compete for the Indiana Youth of the Year designation.
Congratulations to Garrett on this achievement and honor! You make us all proud and inspire us to do more for our community!
Click here to read the Evansville Courier & Press article about the Celebration of Leadership.
On Thursday, November 4, 2010, at 2pm, the Boys & Girls Club of Evansville held a special Ribbon Cutting & First Pitch Ceremony to celebrate the completion of the ball field renovation at Bellemeade Park. Ron Ryan, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club, thanked all of the supporters who made the project a reality, with a special thanks to the Baseball Tomorrow Fund. Other supporters included the City of Evansville, the Tri-State Hot Stove League, 911 Gives Hope, the Evansville Parks Foundation and several other companies and individuals.
The ball field at Bellemeade Park has not seen organized baseball activity
in over 20 years, according to several neighbors. With the Club's new facility located adjacent to the ball field, the Boys & Girls Club anticipates launching a major baseball and softball program next spring.
"Having a ball field that the kids and the entire community can be proud of is an important key to having a successful porgram," said Ron Ryan.
With over 4,300 children living within a one-mile radius of the ball field, the Boys & Girls Club is eager to get the kids playing on the field.
"The Baseball Tomorrow Fund appreciates the Boys & Girls Club of Evansville's dedication to this project and, more importantly, to the children which it serves," added Cathy Bradley, Executive Director of the Baseball Tomorrow Fund.
The annual membership fee per child is only $10, which includes participation in all programs and sports. Look for more information next spring about the launch of the Boys & Girls Club's baseball and softball programs.
Governor Mitch Daniels pays a visit to the New Club!
On Wednesday, September 2, 2010, members of the Boys & Girls Club had a very special guest - Governor Mitch Daniels. Governor Daniels toured the new facility - the Springleaf Financial Services Boys & Girls Club of Evansville - and took time to encourage Club members to study hard. The Boys & Girls Club of Evansville has been involved with the Governor's education initiative, Mitch's Kids, since the inception of the program in 2006. The program focuses on improving reading and math skills through the Club's Power Hour and Homework Help efforts.
Every day after school, Club members are asked upon entering our facilities if they have homework. If so, Club staff and volunteers work directly with members to assist them in completing their homework and provide guidance. Since January 2006, there have been over 1,000 Club members participate in the Mitch's Kids program. As a result, the below grade level percentage in reading fluency has improved from 61% to 41%, and the below grade level in math fluency has improved from 49% to 39%. The percentage of participants ABOVE their grade level in reading fluency increased from 36% to 53% and in math fluency from 48% to 61%.
The Mitch's Kids program
is part of the Boys & Girls Club of Evansville's comprehensive approach to providing educational programming for members at the Club. Many thanks to Governor Daniels for visiting our facility!
To view the full article published in the Evansville Courier & Press, click here.
Photo credit: Denny Simmons, Evansville Courier & Press
Boys & Girls Club of Evansville receives 2010 Community Impact Award!
On Thursday, September 16, 2010, the Boys & Girls Club was presented the 2010 Community Impact Award at the Vanderburgh Community Foundation Spirit ofGiving Luncheon. The Club received the award for having made a significant impact on the improvement of Bellemeade Park and for providing a safe a potitive place for thousands of children at theirnew facility located at the Park. The Club was also recognized for the major renovation of the ball field at Bellemeade Park. As the Community Impact Award recipient, the Boys & Girls Club receives a $1,000 award from the Vanderburgh Community Foundation.
The Boys & Girls Club was also a finalist for the Vanderburgh Community Foundation's Breaking the Cycle $20,000 grant initiative. Though the Club did not receive the $20,000 grant, the organization was awarded a $1,000 unrestricted gift for having been selected as a finalist.
Garrett Cadwalader named 2009-2010 Youth of the Year
On Thursday, July 22, 2010, Garrett Cadwalader was named the Boys & Girls Club of Evansville's 2010-2011 Youth of the Year! The announcement was made as part of the 3rd Annual Steak & Burger - Youth of the Year Lunch, sponsored by TGI Friday's. Garrett is preparing to begin his senior year at North High School. He has been a member of the Club since he was six years old, and his father also grew up at the Club. He is very active at the Club as a member of the Swoosh Club and Junior Staff. Garrett will represent the organization for the coming year on behalf of all the members, and he will travel to Indianapolis next spring to compete for the State Youth of the Year honor.
The Youth of the Year Program is designed to promote and recognize service to Club and community, academic performance and contributions to family and spiritual life. The Boys & Girls Club annually selects one member who exemplifies the Mission of the Club and displays great character, leadership and service. This is a very special honor for the young person selected, and she/he has the opportunity to travel to Indianapolis and compete for the State Youth of the Year designation. The competition continues at the regional level and concludes with the selection of the National Youth of the Year! Evansville is very proud to be home to the 1964 Boy of the Year, Ed Bassemier.
Spring Break and National Boys & Girls Club Week a huge success!!
This was a very special week at the Boys & Girls Club of Evansville; filled with numerous special activities and tons of FUN! Averaging close to 200 kids every day, there was something planned each day of the week:
* Monday - ACROS Gymnastics special presentation. See pictures!
* Tuesday - HOLA (Hospitality & Outreach for Latin Americans) presented a very special play and did arts & crafts with the kids. See pictures!
* Wednesday - The Great American Cleanup @ Bellemeade Park! See pictures!
* Thursday - Tales & Scales will perform! See pictures!
* Friday - Kids in the Kitchen w/ the Junior League of Evansville. See Pictures!
Spring Break is a week of fun and friendship at the
Boys & Girls Club of Evansville!
Baseball Tomorrow Fund awards $75,000 to the Boys & Girls for the renovation of Bellemeade Park ball field.
On Tuesday, November 24, 2009, the Boys & Girls Club of Evansville announced the receipt of a $75,000 matching grant from the Baseball Tomorrow Fund for the renovation of the ball field at Bellemeade Park. The renovation of the ball field is a collaboration with the City of Evansville Department of Parks & Recreation, and upon completion of the renovation, the ball field will remain open to the public for baseball and softball.
The total project budget is approximately $177,000, and the Baseball Tomorrow Fund has given the Club until December 31, 2009, to match the grant funds. The Tri-State Hot Stove League and 911 Gives Hope have both already made a commitment to supporti9ng the project that will benefit thousands of young people living in Evansville's Center City.
The field is part of Bellemeade Park, which is a city owned and operated park. The Boys & Girls Club opened its new facility at Bellemeade Park on June 1, 2009, and has made a major commitment to assisting the city in giving Bellemeade Park a complete make-over.
For more information about this project and if you are interested in supporting this project, please contact Ron Ryan (812.425.2311).
Click here to see the articile about this project published in the Evansville Courier & Press.
The Kresge Foundation Awards $250,000 Challenge Grant to Boys & Girls Club Building Campaign
The Kresge Foundation, headquartered in Troy, Michigan, has awarded the Boys & Girls Club of Evansville a $250,000 Challenge Grant for the Club’s $5 million campaign to fund the building of the new facility located at Bellemeade Park. The Kresge Foundation, with assets over $3 billion, annually awards millions of dollars to non-profit organizations to assist in capacity building and capital projects.With The Kresge Foundation’s $250,000 grant, the Boys & Girls Club has now secured $4,725,215.
“The Kresge Foundation is challenging the Boys & Girls Club and our entire community to reach our $5 million goal,” said Ron Ryan, Executive Director of the Club. “This is a unique opportunity for our entire community to receive national attention and to demonstrate the true philanthropic spirit of Southwestern Indiana.”
The Boys & Girls Club expects to begin moving to the new facility in May 2009 and be open in late May 2009. With over 4,300 children, age 0-17, living within a one-mile radius of the new site, the Club anticipates a major increase in the number of youth served.
“We are grateful for The Kresge Foundation’s generosity,” said Ryan. “It is a tremendous honor to receive this grant, and the award is even more meaningful considering the state of the economy.”
Boys & Girls Club receives National Innovation Award from Charles Schwab Foundation!
In a quest to uncover new and engaging ways to make learning about money management compelling and meaningful to today’s youth, Charles Schwab Foundation has announced the first annual winners of the Innovation Awards. Five winning Boys & Girls Clubs, all of which offer the Money Matters program, were selected from approximately 100 competing clubs across the nation. The Boys & Girls Club of Evansville is one of the recipients of this award for their innovation in working with Old National Bank to implement the program. The Club will receive a $3,000 grant as part of the award.
Community partnership is the key to success for the Boys & Girls Club of Evansville. Associates of Old National Bank teach the Money Matters sessions, and each teen who successfully completes the program receives a savings account at the Bank, pre-funded by Old National, with ten dollars to get them started on a healthy saving habit.
To see the complete information release, click here.
CJ Marshall named Youth of the Year!
The Boys & Girls Club of Evansville annually selects one member to serve as the Youth of the Year, a national Boys & Girls Clubs of America program focused on charachter, leadership, and service. The Youth of the Year exemplifies what it is to be a member at the Boys & Girls Club, and CJ is a shining example.
CJ is currently a Junior at Central High School where she is very active with softball and participates in the CORE40 program. She has been a member of the Club since she was 6 years old. She is a member of the Swoosh Club (a leadership program), and also is a member of the Club's Junior Staff. She is not the first in her family to be a member at the Club, and she is the cousin of a prior Youth of the Year recipient, Raymundo Rodriguez. In addition to her involvement at the Club and at school, she is very involved with her family. She enjoys helping her mother with her younger siblings and doing what she can around the house to support her family.
CJ will travel with Club staff members to Indianapolis in spring 2010 to participate in the state-wide Youth of the Year event.
Boys & Girls Club of Evansville receives proceeds from JLE Snowflake Soiree
On Saturday, January 31, 2009, the Junior League of Evansville hosted its first ever JLE Homecoming - The Snowflake Soiree. Seven non-profit organizations were selected as finalists to be the recipient of the proceeds of the event. Every guest in attendance had the opportunity to cast a vote for one of the seven finalists, and the Boys & Girls Club of Evansville was the winning organization!
The Junior League has been a long-time supporter of the Club, including the sponsorship of the Chrsitmas Store. The Snowflake Soiree was held at Old National Bank's Wayne Henning Atrium. While the actual dollar amount has yet to be announced, event organizers expect to present a check to the Club in the near future.
American General Financial Services announces $500,000 gift!
On July 2, 2008, at 2PM, Robert A. Cole, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Insurance, with American General Financial Services, announced their gift of $500,000 for the Club's new facility. The new facility will be named the American General Financial Services Boys & Girls Club of Evansville.
“AGFS is pleased to provide a significant financial contribution to make the new Boys & Girls Club of Evansville a reality,” said Frederick W. “Rick” Geissinger, AGFS Chairman and CEO. “This project is an excellent fit with the AGFS Foundation’s focus of youth and education, and will provide a lasting legacy to thousands of area children.”
“We are very grateful to AGFS for their generous support,” said Ron Ryan, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Evansville. “With AGFS’s donation, we have now raised over 80% of our capital campaign goal of $5 million.”
Old National Bank Foundation announces $100,000 gift
On December 22, 2008, the Old National Bank Foundation announced a $100,000 gift to the Boys & Girls Club of Evansville in support of the construction of the Club's new facility.
“The Boys & Girls Club of Evansville is a great organization that is impacting lives and strengthening our communities by supporting thousands of local children each year. The Old National Bank Foundation is proud to support this project, and we encourage the entire community to join us in helping the Boys & Girls Club achieve their $5 million goal,” commented Old National Bancorp’s President and CEO Bob Jones.
The Boys & Girls Club expects to begin moving to the new facility in May 2009 and be open in late May/early June 2009. With over 4,300 children, age 0-17, living within a one-mile radius of the new site, the Club anticipates a major increase in the number of youth served. The ONB Foundation gift will be paid over a three year period.
“We are grateful for the Old National Bank Foundation’s generosity,” said Ron Ryan, Executive Director. “This size of a project does not happen very often, and it takes gifts like this to make it a reality.”
The new facility will be called the American General Financial Services Boys & Girls Club of Evansville.
The Deaconess Women's Hospital sponsors SMART Girls program
The Deaconess Women's Hospital will be the official sponsor of the Boys & Girls Club of Evansville SMART Girls program for three years beginning this summer.An outgrowth of the popular and effective SMART Moves program, SMART Girls is a health, fitness, prevention/education and self-esteem enhancement program for girls ages 8 to 17. The program is designed to encourage healthy attitudes and lifestyles that will enable early adolescent girls to develop to their full potential.
Many thanks to the Deaconess Women's Hospital for their generous support of this program!
Club receives SuperFan Concession Stand
On Wednesday, June 18, the Boys & Girls Club of Evansville received a SuperFan Concession Stand, donated by Sam's Club and Snickers (Mars). The concession stand was assembled by Club staff members along with the guidance of a representative from Mars."We are grateful for this donation. We will be able to utilize the SuperFan Concession Stand here and at our new facility on Bellemeade Park," said Ron Ryan, Executive Director.
In addition to the concession stand, the Club also received a $100 Sam's Club gift card to help purchase items for the stand.
