Past Events

6th Annual Boys & Girls Clubs benefit 'a smash hit'

 

5th Annual Benefit Cocktail Reception Dinner with keynote speaker Bonnie St. John

Bonnie St. John spoke at the 5th Annual Benefit, that was held at The Ritz–Carlton, Amelia Island, February 24, 2012. Bonnie is a nationally-recognized author, inspirational speaker, executive coach, former athlete, mother and TV personality – of whom NBC  Nightly News said: “Bonnie is one of the five most inspiring women in America.”  She grew up on a low-income, crime-ridden environment near Los Angeles and lost a leg at age five to a medical disorder. Yet Bonnie  graduated with honors from Harvard University, earned her Masters Degree in Economics at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar and has served on the White House National Economic Council. In 1984, she competed in the Paralympics in Austria and was the first African-American to win medals in downhill ski racing: one silver and two bronze medals.






Here’s what Bonnie says about her Paralympics experience: “I was ahead in the slalom. But in the  second run, everyone fell at a dangerous spot. I was beaten by a woman who got up faster than I did. I learned that people fall down, winners get up, and gold-medal winners get up faster.”

As a child, Bonnie  found an important source of support in what was the Girls Club, back then. So she was eager to come to Amelia Island and give her support to Boys & Girls Clubs here. Bonnie’s life is an example  of the success  that can derive from achieving the goals of Boys & Girls Clubs: to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged  circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.

Another quote from Bonnie St. John illustrates why her words at the Benefit will be so meaningful: “I have faced so many difficult life situations myself – healing from sexual abuse, and family dysfunction, having my leg amputated as a child, facing race and gender discrimination, learning to be a mom, home-schooling and more. I am passionate about using the research and information that is out there because I know it made a difference to me.”

Bonnie's experience of bouncing back from adversity has taught her that there is no "magic bullet" that solves all problems with  the snap of a finger. No one diet works for all body types. No one type  of emotional support or healing works for all personality types. Bonnie  has discovered that the secret to her resilience and personal growth is  building a patchwork quilt of solutions just for her: various exercise programs, support of friends, spending time in nature, seeking expert knowledge, reading books, and of course, always relying on prayer for guidance. What goes into your own patchwork quilt won't be the same as what worked for Bonnie. Sometimes it takes trial and error to find the path that is just right for you. But her goal is to always present a myriad of choices to help make the decisions easier and the ultimate path to joy clearer for a variety of people.

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People and Places ~ Special Events

Benefit concert The Boys & Girls Club presents Muriel Anderson on Feb. 2, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. at the Golf Club of Fernandina Beach. Anderson is one of the world's leading guitarists, performing in the U.S., Europe and the Far East. She has over 12 CDs, films and instructional books and produces the All-Star Guitar Nights for the National Association of Music Merchandisers in Anaheim and Nashville. Admission is free with a suggested donation of $25 to the Boys & Girls Club. Cash bar and tasty treats. The event was organized by Tom Jordan.



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Summer Carnival 2011

In celebration of the end of summer, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Nassau County Foundation held their Summer Carnival in August. With Assistance from valued community partners, kids  from the Fernandina Beach and Miller Clubs enjoyed games, water slides and great food (thanks to The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island) plus a welcomed cool-down under the fire hose (courtesy of the Nassau County Professional Fire Fighters). Boys & Girls Club staff and volunteers,  led by Unit Director Jamie Thompson, ensured all had a wonderful time. <click here to enjoy some of the images...>

Held at the Miller Freedom Center on August 4th, nearly 200 people  enjoyed a variety of games, attractions and lunch -- all provided by Community Partner The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island. The Nassau County Fire  Fighters added to the fun by hosing down the kids from the big red truck. This video features an interview with The Ritz-Carlton's Recreation Director Lee Gomez.




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About NEA's Read Across America

The  National Education Association is building a nation of readers through its signature program, NEA’s Read Across America. Now in its thirteenth year, this year-round program focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships, and reading resources.
NEA’s Read Across America Day takes place each year on or near March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, and community centers participate by bringing together kids, teens, and books.

Here in Nassau County, the program kicks of at the Boys & Girls Clubs and runs all summer long!

Locally,  volunteers joined Club staff to read to members and lead reading games at Boys & Girls Clubs of Nassau County’s Miller Freedom Center and Fernandina Beach locations.

Literacy is a major initiative for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Research has shown that children who are motivated and spend more time reading do better in school.

For  Read Across America, Boys & Girls Clubs of Nassau County hosted several volunteers at both Clubs who read to members and led them in reading games and other activities. Throughout the summer, volunteers from our local communities and businesses helped encourage Club members of all ages to get excited about reading.
         

The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island hosted the Boys & Girls Clubs of Nassau County for their Succeed Through Service program awards. Consistent with the theme, "The Power of Teamwork," 18 youth participated in team-building exercises led by Ritz-Carlton staff.  Club Members from Miller Freedom Center and Fernandina Beach presented service projects, awarding leaders Tessa Bohn-Carmichael and Tiasia Douse at "Most Valuable Youths" for their efforts.

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The 4th Annual Benefit

AMELIA  ISLAND BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS BENEFIT TO FEATURE PIANIST, COMPOSER, RECORDING ARTIST (& BGC ALUMNUS) WILLIAM JOSEPH
 
Ritz-Carlton Gala to Benefit Boys & Girls Clubs Of Nassau County
 
Amelia  Island howted pianist-composer-recording artist William Joseph on November 12, 2010.  The talented young alumnus of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix began his career at the age of eight when he won a Boys & Girls Clubs national music scholarship.  William Joseph got his second big break in 2003 when a chance encounter with 15-time Grammy winner & producer David Foster in Phoenix led to William giving an impromptu performance of one of his original compositions.  This led to two major-label CD’s, an extensive concert tour, and writing songs for the likes of Celtic Woman and others.
    
William credits much of his success to being a member of Boys & Girls Clubs in Phoenix from age 8-18.    “Boys & Girls Clubs are not just buildings, says William.  They’re organization and family, a support team and a way to have mentors.   It’s the people inside that matter.”   In addition to playing Friday evening, William will visit both Boys and Girls Clubs in Nassau County, speaking directly with local kids about music and his life experiences.  
 

The Boys and Girls Clubs Benefit at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island began at 6:00 pm, Friday, November 12, 2010  and featured a cocktail reception, sit-down dinner, and silent auction.  Seats were $125 per person with sponsor opportunities available  for tables of ten.  

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The Patriot Day Shoot was a clay-target shooting competition hosted by Amelia Shotgun Sports and sponsored by Nassau County Professional Fire Fighters. Teams compete for prizes, enjoy fraternity and share great barbecue -- all for a wonderful cause. Proceeds are designated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Nassau County. Organized by Fire Fighter Chris  Gamble, the 3rd Annual event was a resounding success, with Boys & Girls Clubs of Nassau County Foundation President Bill Gower and various  Boys & Girls Clubs volunteers on hand.

         

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April 20, 2010 - The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, hosted the Global Youth Celebration Day, and all 18 BGC members who enrolled were invited back to celebrate their achievement accompanied by staff members Donna Roberts from the Miller Club and Gwen McIntyre from the Fernandina Club.  The Celebration Program lasted for over an hour and took place in a meeting room that had been set up with tables set for dining.  A number of volunteers from the Nassau County BGC Foundation were also on hand..... <read  more...>

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ImageMakers is an educational photography program featured at the Boys & Girls Clubs. In Nassau County, kids at Fernandina Beach Club and Miller Freedom Center received photography instruction in the classroom,  then went out 'in the field' to apply their knowledge to the photographic arts. Impressive photographs were captured from many of the  kids, with Thomas Webb of the Fernandina Beach club snapping the winning photo. Special thanks goes to Wild Amelia for providing instruction, Rayonier for providing the cameras, and volunteers Joe DeMarco and Julie McCracken for assisting in the field.

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March 30, 2010 at the Miller Freedom Center

         

Learn more...
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November 20, 2009
at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island

         

3rd Annual Speakers Forum
featuring Carla Harris

Click Here to view the Invitation
Click  Here for even more...

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October 27, 2008
at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island

2nd Annual Speakers Forum
2008 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Benjamin S. Carson Sr., director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital was featured speaker at the second annual Boys & Girls Clubs Speakers Forum.