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Shontricia Tucker Named the 2009 Boys & Girls Club
Youth of the Year
Boys & Girls Club Staff honored as Lindsey Brown & Sherronda Faw Receive 2009 State Award for Outstanding Service to Youth
Lindsey Brown Sherronda Faw
During the 2009 Tennessee All State All-Staff retreat held in Knoxville, Tennessee, two members of the staff of the Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville & Greene County were honored as “Outstanding Youth Development Staff for Tennessee”. Lindsey Brown & Sherronda Faw were selected as outstanding part time staff members from nominations from Boys & Girls Clubs employees from throughout the state of Tennessee. “We are very proud of these two individuals and what they bring to the programs and activities at our Boys & Girls Club” stated Scott Bullington, the club’s director. “They are outstanding individuals who are great role models for the youth we serve” he added.
National Service To Youth Award Presented to Several
Boys & Girls Club Board, Staff & Volunteers
Volunteers & Staff of the Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville & Greene County received theNational Service to Youth Award at the annual board & staff dinner held in December at Link Hills Country Club. Representing Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Regional Service Director, Chet Nichols was on hand to present these awards. L to R, Steve Mears, Dr. Mike Menz, Scott Bullington, Frances Taylor, Michael Sauls, Chet Nichols, Barbara Barner & Ted Bryant.
Boys & Girls Club, Dr. Michael Menz & Randy Rumbley Receive
Tennessee Boys & Girls Club Awards and Honors
Chet Nichols of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Dr. Michael Menz,
Scott Bullington, Carla Bewley, Randy Rumbley and Michael Sauls hold up some of the awards received
by the local Boys & Girls Club at the annual Tennessee Area Council Awards banquet held in Nashville
this past weekend.
The Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville & Greene County took several awards and honors at this past weekend’s Tennessee Area Council Annual State Awards banquet held at the Renaissance Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. The Club received the Honor Award for Program Excellence for their Health & Life Skills Programs, Randy Rumbley received the Beverly Burton Tennessee new board member of the year award, Dr. Michael Menz received the C.A.R.E. (Children Are Reason for Excellence) Service Award and Scott Bullington & Michael Sauls were honored for their leadership service to the Tennessee Area Council. The Tennessee Area Council is made up of 74 different Boys & Girls Club units from across the state of Tennessee. “We are very honored to receive this recognition for the hard work that our board members, staff and children have put into our organization and our community” stated Carla Bewley, president of the
local organization’s board of directors.
The award winning Health and Life Skills programs at the Boys & Girls Club are geared to reach a very diverse group of children and to meet their needs. The activities in this program area are provided in a safe, positive environment and they are fun with clear outcomes in mind. The club has worked hard to set up programs that will be of great benefit to the youth and offer them skills that they can rely on as they become adults. The club has been very creative with new and original programming to prepare our communities youth for the future. “We gave been very fortunate to collaborate with the Greene County Health Department on many activities in this program area” stated Scott Bullington, the club’s director. “Through this partnership, our kids have had many wonderful programs that will help them as they mature and become adults” he added
Some of the many programs in this area are: a nutrition program that offers USDA approved meals and snacks; Give Kids A Chance Day; Shoes for School; Leap for Life program; Jakes Day activities; a Domestic Violence program; Nutritional classes; observing National Public Health Week; Healthy Habits; a Vacation Bible School; programs with both the Police and Fire Departments; food preparation class; an cavity free zone that includes on site dental cleanings and sealants; on site vision checks; Smiles for Life Day and Give Kids a Smile Day activities; SMART Moves, a Personal Hygiene and Self Awareness Program; Community Based Abstinence Education in the local county school system; monthly Birthday Parties; and celebrations for several holidays including Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas
Dr. Michael Menz is a most deserving winner for the Tennessee CARE Award. His involvement with the Boys & Girls Club began in the start up stages of the organization over ten years ago. His passion for children has led him to still serve diligently on the board of directors with his belief that all kids deserve a promising future. Dr. Menz had worked on various committees and has served as Vice President of the club’s board and chairman of several committees throughout the years. He has been honored by the local club as Board Member of the Year, with the Club Care Award, the Events Participation Award, and the Extra Mile Award. Despite an incredibly hectic schedule as an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Menz has served as the club’s photographer for many of their activities and special events, as well as taking the time to play basketball, pool and just hang out with the kids at the club. Dr. Menz has a unique spirit of giving and was recently quoted as saying part of his devotion for the Boys & Girls Club is due to his desire to “bring some of what I had growing up to all of our members- the knowledge that someone cares and loves them and wants them to be their best.”
Dr. Menz is a member of the Tennessee Orthopedic Society, the Greene County Medical Society and Reformation Lutheran Church as well as a supporter for the National Kidney Foundation.
A most deserving winner of the Beverly Burton Board Member of the Year, Randy Rumbley joined the board of the Boys & Girls Club in January of 2007 and hit the floor running. He made an immediate impact by serving on all of the special event committees and joining the building committee and giving many hours of his time to the organization. His efforts were know by all as the board of directors named him the board Rookie of the Year in December of 2007. In 2008, Randy has not slowed down and is a big reason that this years Bob Kesling Boys & Girls Club Celebrity Golf Classic, the Champions Dinner with UT Coach Bruce Pearl and the club’s Celebrity Auction set new revenue and participation records for the club. Rumbley is a member of the club’s executive committee and also helps in many other areas at the Boys & Girls Club. Randy truly believes in getting involved and doing 110%. Rumbley stated that he is involved with the Boys & Girls Club “because I can see the results of the activities and programs that the children engage in at the club by the smiles on their face and the enthusiasm from the staff providing the program.” In addition to this work with the Boys & Girls Club, Rumbley also serves on the board of directors for Takoma Regional Hospital, The Greene County Partnership, and the Greeneville City School Foundation and is a member of Asbury United Methodist Church.
"Dr. Michael Menz and Randy Rumbley are two great examples of engaged, compassionate and hard working individuals that not only care about the youth of their community, but do things to make a difference for these kids” stated Chet Nichols, Southeast Regional Service Director with Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Mr. Nichols also recognized Michael Sauls and Scott Bullington for the leadership that they have provided for the past two years as President and the Executive Secretary for the Tennessee Area Council. The Area Council is made up of Boys & Girls Club units from across the state of Tennessee and is the governing body for training and development to help clubs and boards grow to better serve their community.
In the business meeting on Saturday, Mr. Sauls was also elected as Vice President of the newly formed Boys & Girls Clubs of Tennessee Foundation. This foundation will serve to provide new funding opportunities to allow all clubs the opportunity to continue to grow and serve more children while providing hope and opportunity to the youth of Tennessee. The Tennessee Alliance also slated their new board with Jerry Fortner being named Vice President for the Alliance board of Directors. This group works on grant opportunities within Tennessee to further the services of local clubs through targeted outreach in schools and the community.
Boys & Girls Club Staff Libby Bell & Cathy Osborne
named Outstanding Youth Development Staff for Tennessee
During the 2008 spring Tennessee All State All-Staff retreat held in Knoxville, Tennessee, two members of the staff of the Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville & Greene County were honored as “Outstanding Youth Development Staff for Tennessee”. Libby Bell was selected as outstanding part time staff member and Cathy Osborne was selected as outstanding full time staff member from nominations from employees of Boys & Girls from throughout the state of Tennessee.
Libby Bell is the front desk coordinator for the organization and assists in other program areas throughout the club. Bell is a Tusculum College student from Cincinnati, Ohio pursuing a degree in business with a minor in psychology. She will be graduating this May. Bell came to Greeneville on a soccer scholarship and played for the Tusculum Lady Pioneers.
Cathy Osborne is the club’s program director has been a valuable asset to the club leading the club’s overall programs and several initiatives outside of the club including” The Ultimate Journey, SMART Mover, Read Across America and the Community Based Abstinence Education program. Osborne is also very active in the community serving on several local boards and as the current president for the Greeneville- Greene County Interagency council. Osborne has made great strides in improving the overall club programs and activities over the past few years.
“We are very proud of these two individuals and what they bring to the youth development programs at our Boys & Girls Club. They are outstanding individuals who are great role models for the youth we serve.” Stated Scott Bullington, director of the Boys & Girls Club.
Bob Kesling Receives Distinguished Service Award
for Volunteer Service to Boys & Girls Clubs
Bob accepts his award at the Tennessee Area Council Annual Meeting held September 28, 2007, in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Front row are Bob Kesling, Tami Kesling, and Steve Mears. In the back row are Ted Bryant, Jerry Fortner, Michael Sauls, and Scott Bullington. The Greeneville and Greene County Boys & Girls Club is very proud to be associated with such a fine person like the incredible Bob Kesling.
A true “Volunteer” was honored this past weekend at the Smoky Mountains Convention Center in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Bob Kesling, lead announcer for the University of Tennessee’s Vol Network, was awarded with the C.A.R.E. (Children Are Reason for Excellence) Service Award at the Tennessee Area Council Awards dinner for his volunteer work with Tennessee Boys & Girls Clubs. The Tennessee Area Council is made up of 74 different Boys & Girls Club units from across the state of Tennessee.
Bob has been a big part of the Boys & Girls Club movement, most notably in Greeneville and Knoxville, helping with dinners, golf tournaments, and various other activities. In Knoxville, Bob has served as the master of ceremonies for several years for the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame event and is currently the chairman elect of that event’s board. He has also helped with various other events for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley over the past several years. But, most notably, Bob has been a tremendous help to the fundraising activities of the Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville & Greene County. When asked a few years ago if the club could put his name on their annual Golf Classic to help raise interest, Bob agreed, but stated that he did not want to be just a name, he wanted to help with the event. And help he did. Bob has driven to Greeneville many times over the last five years to promote and organize the event and has never missed a golf committee meeting. “Bob helps in all aspects for the golf event from start to finish and has been a driving force behind its tremendous success.” stated Jerry Fortner, the chairman of the Bob Kesling Boys & Girls Club Celebrity Golf Classic. With Bob’s support, he helped bring the local tournament from 80-90 golfers each year to a sold out event with 170 golfers a year and several on a waiting list. The Bob Kesling Boys & Girls Club Celebrity Golf Classic is the biggest tournament in the Greene County community each year. Bob has helped get sponsors and has also called on local celebrities each year to help make the event a success, bringing in such legends as Ray Mears, John Ward, Condredge Holloway, Bruce Pearl, John Chavis and many more, over the years. This past year, the club sold out the tournament in ten days and had a waiting list of over 40 golfers for the event. The club has raised almost a quarter of a million dollars from the Bob Kesling Celebrity Golf Classic in just over four years for club programs and activities.
Golfing is not the only area that Bob has helped the Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville & Greene County. Bob has served as the master of ceremonies for several of the clubs' annual Champions Dinners and on their Event Committee. The club has had Mike Hamilton, Phillip Fulmer, Bruce Pearl, and Pat Summitt over the past few years and Bob has played an important part in getting them to Greeneville. If that was not enough, Bob has several times showed up at Greeneville civic clubs to promote the Boys & Girls Club and the annual golf tournament and has done PSA’s for the Boys & Girls Club with the local radio stations. “He is a big reason that the club has been able to double its budget over the last five years. His association with the club has been priceless and he is a true “Volunteer” not only in his orange and white but, in the eyes of a child,” stated Scott Bullington, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville & Greene County.
Bob made this year’s Boys & Girls Club night with the Greeneville Astros even more special by making it UT Vols' and Boys & Girls Club night with the Greeneville Astros by bringing down several University of Tennessee personnel, including the new Vols' baseball coach, Todd Raleigh, to honor the Boys & Girls Club kids and the community with a very special event. “For a man that had no particular tie to a community, it is unbelievable the amount of time and effort that he has provided to make sure that our club is “The Positive Place for Kids”! We are truly honored to have such a distinguished person represent not only our club but, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tennessee,” Bullington added.
Boys & Girls Club Receives
National Recognition for Growth
The Boys & Girls Club received national recognition at the BGCA National Conference held in Orlando, Florida. The club proudly holds up their achievement plaque at the Centennial Partners awards ceremony. (L to Right) - Scott Bullington, Cathy Byrd, Sangela Blue, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America Southeast Regional Service Director, Chet Nichols.
The Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville & Greene County was recognized as a Centennial Partner for their marked growth and impact for youth during the 101st National Convention of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The convention was held in Orlando, Florida in May. The club received this award during a special luncheon held for the Centennial Partners at the conference. This award was given to only 40 clubs from the more than 4,000 clubs serving youth from across the Boys & Girls club national movement. This award was based on activities from 2004 to 2006 for all clubs across the nation. Clubs were measured on their growth in registered members, growth in daily attendance, growth in individual giving and growth in programs and outreach activities. “We are very honored to receive this recognition from our national office. This is a tribute to the hard work of our staff, board, volunteers and the youth that we serve from throughout our community.” stated Scott Bullington, Executive Director for the local club. The Boys & Girls Club has 515 registered members and served 1,881 youth from throughout the community last year in their after-school and summer programs, school outreach programs and many sports and community activities that they host throughout the year.
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Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville & Greene County Part-Time Staff
honored as Leah Bunger & Antoine Braggs Receive State Award
for Outstanding Service to Youth in 2007
Leah Bunger Antoine Braggs
During the 2007 spring Tennessee All State All-Staff retreat held in Knoxville, Tennessee, two members of the staff of the Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville & Greene County were honored as “Outstanding Youth Development Staff for Tennessee”. Leah Bunger and Antoine Braggs were selected as outstanding part time staff members from nominations from Boys & Girls Clubs employees from throughout the state of Tennessee.
Leah Bunger is the arts & crafts teacher for the local club and assists in other program areas throughout the club. Bunger is a Tusculum College Student from Trenton, Ohio pursuing her degree in Elementary education. Leah hopes to one day be a teacher and coach either soccer or basketball. She came to Greeneville on a soccer scholarship to play for the Lady Pioneers. She is the daughter of the Rev. Rick & Pam Bunger. Antoine Braggs is very active in the recreation activities and the technology center at the Boys & Girls Club. Braggs is a student at Tusculum College from Marietta, Georgia and is majoring in Sports Management. He served as a student assistant coach during his first two years at Tusculum College for the men’s basketball team and would like to get into coaching when he graduates. He is the son of Anthony & Shirley Braggs and Genelle Betterson.
“We are very proud of these two individuals and what they bring to the youth development programs at our Boys & Girls Club” stated Scott Bullington, the club’s director. “They are outstanding individuals who are great role models for the youth we serve” he added.
Sangela Blue and Justin Kelly Receive
State Awards for Outstanding Service to Youth in 2006 |
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During the 2006 Tennessee All State All Staff retreat held in Knoxville, two members of the staff of the Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville and Greene County were honored as "Outstanding Youth Development Staff for Tennessee". Sangela Blue was named "Outstanding Full Time Staff Member" and Justin Kelly was selected as "Outstanding Part Time Staff Member" from nominations from Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the state of Tennessee.
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Sangela is our Club's Mentoring & Outreach Coordinator and assists Cathy Byrd, our Program Director, in planning and managing overall Club programs, supervising Club staff and volunteers. Ms. Blue has served as a part time staff at our Club since 1999, filling many positions. She is the daughter of Michael Blue and Dema McGee of Greeneville and Daisy Pierce of Kingsport. |
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The Boys & Girls Club Receives Two |
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State Awards for Program Excellence |
The Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville & Greene County was awarded two State Awards for Program Excellence at the 2005 Southeast Board Leadership Conference at the Tennessee Area Council Awards Dinner held on August 17, 2005, at the Atlanta Hilton in Atlanta, Georgia. Only one award was given out in each of the Boys & Girls Club five core programming areas to clubs throughout the state of Tennessee. The local Boys & Girls Club won awards for both their Character & Leadership Development programs and their Health & Life Skills programs. The local club was the only club to receive two program honors this year. "I am tremendously honored that our club was presented with two state honor awards for program excellence" stated Scott Bullington, Executive Director for the local club. "It really speaks volumes for our staff and program volunteers as they are the backbone of our club activities" he added.
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Character and Leadership
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The Club’s Character and Leadership Program is set up to teach community trusteeship and to empower their youth to use their influence to help shape our community in a positive manner. Through their community service projects, the kids develop meaningful relationships with others, develop a positive self image and work towards worthwhile projects to better our community. These programs and projects help the club members develop needed skills in leadership, teamwork, planning and decision making. They also learn to take pride in their work and a sense of accomplishment from their activities. These activities are open to all club members and some of their Character and Leadership Development activities included: Tsunami Relief Donations, Youth of the Month/Year Program, Torch Club, Community Service Projects conducted year around to teach our youth the importance of giving back to the community, their many projects included: clean-ups, food drives, coat drives, community outreach, relief efforts and grandparent events, and Make A Difference Day – where they did three separate projects on that included over 150 kids and adults. They visited Laughlin Health Care Center where the kids partnered with residents to provide games and activities. They also sent kids to Greene Valley Development center to have a scavenger hunt with the residents and did a beautification project for the residents of the elderly home, Plaza Towers, Presidential Pick-up- a litter pick up that included our historic downtown area, National Clean Boating Campaign where they worked with the TVA Cherokee Douglas Watershed team to clean up the Nolichuckey River along Kinser Park, a Housing Authority Clean –up Project, an Arbor Day Celebration, Grandparents Day, Christmas Caroling where club youth went caroling to shut ins and to rest home residents during the holiday season and several other projects. "Our kids seem to really enjoy the clean ups that we perform in our community." Stated Cathy Byrd, the club’s Program Director. "We had 8 major clean ups and we let the kids sign up for the activities and always received great support. Our kids that participate in community clean ups seem to take extra pride in the club and its appearance. We feel that by teaching them to take care of their litter that as they grow into adulthood they will be responsible with their trash and the stewardship for a litter free community. We are also showing that we do not just put a hand out, but put a hand in- the shaping of our young people for the betterment of our community for our future leaders." Byrd added.
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Health & Life Skills
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The Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville & Greene County’s Health and Life Skills programs are geared to reach a very diverse group of children. They have worked hard to set up programs that will be of benefit to the youth now and also to offer them skills that they can rely on as they become adults. They have touched on many aspects of this through programs that are set for all ages of club members including: a Nutrition Program where they offer 3 meals a day at the club during the summer and 2 meals during the year around school break. The club also has an afternoon snack daily during the school year for the club kids. They offered high quality nutritional meals this past year and with over 19,512 snacks and meals served during the year we were an important part of many kids’ lives. The club started a Horticulture program, participated in Jakes Day activities, a Government Class , Money Management Class, Boy Scouts Girl Scouts, SMART Moves, held a Vacation Bible School and Christmas program, a Public Safety Program, had a Crest Cavity Free Zone- as a way to reach out with dental hygiene awareness for the club members, and had an onsite Dental Sealants Program collaboration where the state of Tennessee set up a portable dentist chair in the club to give free dental check ups to all club members. The club also held a Self Awareness Program with the local Health Department, Monthly Birthday Parties for all the kids at the club and several other special events such as a Halloween Party, Thanksgiving Dinner, Fall Festival, and Youth Christmas Party. |
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Michael Sauls and Scott Bullington Were Presented With the Tennessee Program of Excellence Awards on Behalf of the Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville & Greene County at the Tennessee Area Council Awards Dinner Held in Atlanta, Georgia |
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