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Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County (BGCTC) will be celebrating 15 years of changing kids’ lives at its annual Foundation for the Future breakfast scheduled for May 19, 2016. Joining the party will be over 800 community members and supporters, Club kids, and special guest Marcus Trufant, former Seattle Seahawk.

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The Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County are a life changing experience for over 2,500 kids.

“The first 15 years of this organization has been a dream come true for hundreds of current and former staff, volunteers and board members. Seeing our life-changing programs in the communities of Lacey, Olympia, Rochester and Tumwater has been very meaningful to nearly 90 community leaders who have served on our Board of Directors, and our current board is further driven and inspired to expand our service in neighborhoods and communities that need us the most,” shares Executive Director Katya Miltimore.

“The opening of our Tenino Club in September of 2016 couldn’t be a more fitting ‘birthday celebration’ – it truly signifies our commitment to serve more kids,” Miltimore continues. “We will continue to build our community relationships with the school districts and other youth-serving non-profits so that we can bring our safe Clubs and exciting programs to children throughout Thurston County.”

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Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County improves graduation rates and develops strong citizenship in local kids.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County originated in the late 1990s with the vision of Steve Boone, according to Christine Hoffmann, Communications and Event Manager. By 2000, significant fundraising efforts and the formation of the first BGCTC Board were well underway. The Tumwater School District offered a portable building as the initial location and 20 members signed up. By 2004, under the guidance of board member Ron Rants the second club opened in Rochester with the help of a Federal Weed & Seed Grant, and then the third in Lacey, followed by the Olympia Club opening in 2009. Most recently, the BGCTC expanded to Tenino. By the fall of 2011 BGCTC kicked the year off with over 2000 kids registered.

“The vision we had 15 years ago to start a Boys & Girls Club in our area was greatly successful because we have had such a collaborative effort with so many dedicated people,” shares Boone. “I have always been passionate about high school graduation rates as well as providing support to families so that parents have help with their children after school in a safe place that mentors kids. BGCTC has a tremendous influence on students becoming better citizens.”

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Creating a safe and productive environment for kids after school is a strong component of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County

“I am so grateful to my wife Michele, our daughters, and sons-in-laws for their continued support with the Stars Foundation that helps BGCTC grow,” adds Boone. “Through the years of dedication to BGCTC by so many people, now we have the opportunity to serve even more children. I would love to see us double the size of our clubs to reach more kids in the future.”

Shellica Trevino, BGCTC Director of Operations reflects on the last 15 years. “Our growth and progress wouldn’t have been possible without the leaders who worked tirelessly to develop our staff, build relationships with the community, and most importantly provide to youth what they need most, people who care about them. Whether they have moved on to other things, or are still with us today, each of them helped to shape what is now a premier youth development organization in Thurston County.”

Jen Foley will be co-chairing the breakfast fundraiser. “This year’s breakfast is so exciting being the 15th anniversary of the organization. The staff has been working so hard making this year’s breakfast ‘Birthday Bash’ a memorable one, which is why we are so pleased to have former Seattle Seahawk and Washington State University football player, Marcus Trufant as our special guest,” she says.

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Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County will be celebrating its 15 year anniversary.

“I am so proud of how much the organization has grown having been involved since the beginning. The Tumwater School District was so supportive and wonderful during the inception. It is amazing the leaps and bounds it has grown in these 15 years to now serve over 2,500 kids in four clubs throughout Thurston County with a fifth club starting in Tenino,” says Foley.

“They have created these incredible partnerships with school districts which enables the clubs to help as many kids as possible. And for me, I am so proud of my dad, Steve Boone and his vision of bringing the Boys & Girls Club to Thurston County,” Foley says. “He has a passion for wanting to help the kids in our community to have the best chance possible for a successful future. It’s very cool to see his vision become a success. It was an honor this past March when my dad and Marcus Trufant were inducted into the Washington Boys & Girls Club Hall of Fame. It’s pretty cool recognition for all they do for the kids.”

Join Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County on May 19 at Saint Martin’s University Marcus Pavilion for the BIGGEST birthday bash of 2016. Breakfast is free yet life-changing donations of $1 a day are highly encouraged. To learn more call 360-956-0755 or reserve a seat online.

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