FEATURE STORIES

• Club members hold SMART Moves anti-tobacco rally and dance
• Borrego Badlands Skate Park opens
• Ground broken for Sulpizio Family Branch
• Padres donate $25,000
• CHARGER POWER!
• Teens attend national leadership conference
• Alumni Spotlight: Charles Lewis
• Board Profile: Tony Ande
• Youth of the Year on NBC Special

Club members hold SMART Moves anti-tobacco rally and dance

On Sunday, February 9 more than 300 members from the five metro clubs attended an anti-smoking dance and rally held at the Clarion Hotel in downtown San Diego. The event was part of the Boys & Girls Clubs SMART Moves Program funded by the County of San Diego, Health & Human Services Agency. Club members from all over the City of of San Diego participated in a host of anti-tobacco themed events including a poster contest, dance contest, rap contest, and carnival games with an anti-tobacco theme. What made the event special is the fact that the entire dance was organized by a group of Club peer leaders who have been educating younger Club members on the dangers of tobacco. The peer leaders spent more than five months planning the event and deserve much credit for organizing a fun event that had a postive message. Special thanks to the San Diego Urban Patrol for providing FREE security for the event!

Borrego Badlands Skate Park Opens

The following story was written by Team Goon about the opening of the Boys & Girls Club's new Skate Park Story by Team Goon Here we are back on the road out to Borrego Springs. Today was the grand opening of the skate park there. This is a serious road trip, yet if you are a tranny lover - it's worth it. All of our team riders were a bit scattered at various activities around southern California today, so we rolled out there with David and our flow rider Andrew Mercado. The improvements they made since we were out here a couple weeks back were very noticeable. Inside was an air hockey table, a pool table and a ping pong table as well as a full on pro shop. The place was just first class all the way. Rolling up at 11:00am we were greeted by Danny Sherlock the president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club. The guys were whisked to the front gate where the honorary mayor of Borrego Springs, Bob Cassidy began the ribbon cutting ceremony. An un-named donor who does not seek any recognition for his gift in donating the funds needed to build the park was on hand to see the opening take place along with Don Nelsen, the director of the skate park to handle the coordination of the event. A half hour later into the session Andy MacDonald showed up with fellow vert dog Brian Howard to help break in the new park. All the little kids now had another reason to start yelling as the two got turning wheels around the park. Andy and Brian were taking a few speed runs from the top, 50-50'in the length of the spine the separates the two bowls. Not to be out done David and Andrew went for the same move. Thanks goes out to the volunteers that served us a hot lunch and supplied plenty of cold drinks. These people worked tirelessly serving lunch to the crowd that was on hand. Don and Bob held a drawing with the prizes that were supplied by VISION, Team Goon Skateboards, Sector Nine, Globe and Volcom. As the day wore down David signed some autographs for the kids as well as all the people connected with the opening with the new skate park. The worst part of the day was going back to the home base, we could have skated this place till midnight. This park is supper fun ran by super cool people that are all about making sure that skaters have a good time. Click Here for the Official Borrego Springs Web site This park was designed by SITE Design Group, go check out their site at www.sitedesigngroup.com Mass props go to SITE Design Group. This is a flawless skate park. This park has perfect flow from section to section and not a single kink or ripple imperfection could be found anywhere. Thanks again and keep up the good work.

Ground broken for Sulpizio Family Branch

Ground was broken in Community Park in Poway for the newest branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego in a festive ceremony held October 30. The event included an announcement by Campaign Chair Linda Vanderveen that the clubhouse will be named the Sulpizio Family Branch in honor of 18-year Poway residents Gaby and Rich Sulpizio, who made a $1 million dollar gift to the project. It also was announced that the capital campaign for the Sulpizio Family Branch, which is scheduled to open in time for the 2003-2004 school year, has reached $2.5-million toward its $3-million goal. Supporters Carol and William Stensrud recently gave $100,000 to the project and the Club's Computer Center will be named in their honor. Other major donors who have selected naming opportunities include Lynn and Lloyd Wells, who are funding the gymnasium in honor of their son, Toby; Mari and Todd Gutschow, who are funding the Technology Center; Sandy and Ed Burr of EDCO, who will make the Learning Center possible; Poway Rotary Club and John Carlson (playgrounds); The Moir Family (Community Conference Room); San Diego National Bank (entry lobby); GEICO Direct and US Laboratories/Testing Engineers (scoreboards); Northpoint Development (Creative Arts Center), and the Liguori Family (athletic field). Commemorative opportunities still exist for other areas of the new club, including the sports courts, Child Care Center, Activity Center, Administrative Center, Performing Arts Center and Nutrition Center. A Personalized Tile Campaign is being led by Community Campaign Chair Merrilee Boyack. The campaign encourages families and businesses throughout the community to purchase tiles that can be decorated and placed on the walls in the new Clubhouse. The Sulpizio Family Branch will be built on a 5.78-acre site in Poway Community Park (on Bowron Road adjacent to Valley Elementary School) provided by the City of Poway. The project architect is Ed McArdle with McArdle Associates Architects and the construction manager is Dave Pettigrew with Competitive Edge Construction Inc. of Escondido. The groundbreaking ceremonies were led by Channel 10 News Anchor Hal Clement, who has served as an honorary co-chair since the campaign's inception. Other speakers included Mayor Mickey Cafagna, who also played a major role on the campaign's Steering Commit-tee. "It's been both exciting and rewarding to work on this project and help it move forward," said Mayor Cafagna. "I am personally proud of everyone in this community who has stepped up to support this effort and realized the value a Boys & Girls Club will have in Poway and surrounding communities." The day's events began with a flag salute led by Valley Elementary fifth grade students, with assistance from a class of preschoolers from the Head Start program who will be among the first children to use the new Club's Child Care Center. The Meadowbrook Middle School choir also performed, led by director Marti Martinez. For four years, Meadowbrook has been the only site in the Poway school district with a Boys & Girls Club building. However, the limited 1,000-square-foot classroom can only accommodate 50 students on a daily basis. The new Branch will be able to accommodate 1,000 kids in its 20,000 square-foot space.

Padres donate $25,000 to W.J. Oakes Branch

In December, 2002 the San Diego Padres donated $25,000 to the William J. Oakes Branch to purchase new gamesroom equipment such as soccer tables, game boards and other needed supplies. Said Vice President of Operations Michelle Regan, "each year at Christmas time the Padres pick a charity to donate to. This year we are greatful that the Padres picked the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego. This donation will go a long way to help keep at-risk kids in Logan Heights off the streets and in a safe environment supervised by caring adults."

CHARGER POWER!

Even though the Chargers didn't win, the team and especially three of its players, were winners in the eyes of Encanto Branch members who attended the recent Chargers vs. Jets football game in Qualcomm Stadium. Chargers' running back LaDainian Tomlinson provided 20 VIP tickets which were used by 17 of our members and three staff. Everyone received a Chargers T-shirt and free food at the game. Three of the Club members were interviewed by Jane Mitchell of NBC, which aired on Nov. 27. After the game, LaDainian hosted the group at a sit-down dinner at Dave & Busters, where the kids got to meet their host, as well as two fellow Chargers, Quentin Jammer and Curtis Conway. The three Chargers told stories, answered questions, handed out photos-and, of course, signed autographs!

Teens attend national leadership conference

Twelve teens from the Linda Vista Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego were among 1,200 teens from across the country attending the annual Keystone Conference in Anaheim. Leadership development, career planning, teen violence prevention and college planning were among the seminar topics for this year's conference. Movie actor Mark Wahlberg ("The Perfect Storm") was a guest speaker. After a long day of learning, the teens enjoyed nights devoted to activities teens enjoy most: including dances, parties and a talent show. There also were visits local attractions, including Disneyland and California Adventure. The 12 local teens are members of two Keystone clubs sponsored by the Linda Vista Club. Keystone clubs promote leadership skills among young people ages 14 and up. Branch Director Holland Conneely said her teens were so impressed with the Keystone Conference that they are now working on raising the funds needed to attend the 2003 conference, which will be held in Atlanta, GA. The national Keystone organization establishes an annual theme, and each Keystone club is asked to develop a project that carries out that theme during the coming year, Holland said. Under the "Saving Lives" mantle, the local teens created and organized an "AIDS Jeopardy" event that brought together teens from six high schools and taught them about sexually transmitted diseases through a game patterned after the popular "Jeopardy" TV show. The current theme is "Tolerance," Holland said, and the Linda Vista teens are busy developing a project that will focus on that theme.

Alumni Spotlight: Charles Lewis

Charles L. Lewis III was recently elected to serve as the City Council member representing the City of San Diego's Fourth District. His election was the culmination of 12 years of community service. Charles spent his childhood growing up in the neighborhoods of Skyline and Paradise Hills. He attended the Boys & Girls Club Encanto Branch and graduated from Morse High School. During his senior year in college, Charles served as an intern for United States Congressman Jim Bates. In 1990, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from San Diego State University and later received a San Diego State Extended Studies Certificate in Community and Economic Development. Serving as an aide to Councilman George Stevens for more than 10 years, he played a key role in creating 23 Neighborhood Councils, which enabled community members to work together to take back their neighborhoods, creating the lowest crime and highest homeowner occupancy rates in the City. Over the years, Charles served as Field Coordinator, Special Assistant for Community Affairs and Chief of Staff. In recognition of his diligent efforts to ensure diversity within the workforce, he received the Minority Contractors Consultant Group's Advocacy Award. He serves on the American Diabetes Association Board of Directors, Encanto Boys & Girls Club Advisory Council and San Diego State University Alumni Board-African American Chapter. Charles is a role model for our members to emulate.

Board Profile: Tony Ande

James Anthony Ande was well prepared for the job. As a young adult he competed in rodeos as a bull rider. Later, he became a CPA and provided or supervised accounting and auditing services for hundreds of clients. This combination of persistence and attention to detail served him well as the founder of a Boys & Girls Club. In 1990, Tony, Larry Jones and a group of local citizens started the Boys & Girls Club of Ramona. By 1993 they had raised enough money to hire an executive director (Jeff Miller) and open a clubhouse in a portable building. In 1995 they opened a permanent clubhouse in Collier Park. The Ramona organization continued to grow with outreach services in Borrego Springs, Rancho Bernardo, San Diego Country Estates and Warner Springs. Tony held numerous leadership positions including treasurer and president of the Board, and chairman of the Annual Campaign, Finance and Golf Tournament committees. In 2000, the Ramona organization merged with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Inland North County to form the Boys & Girls Clubs United. In 2001, while serving as chairman of the Board of Boys & Girls Clubs United, Tony was instrumental in facilitating the merger of that organization with the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Diego. This merger, which occurred on January 1, 2002, created the largest Boys & Girls Club organization in Southern California. On October 16, Tony was presented the Medallion Award by Boys & Girls Clubs of America in recognition of his meritorious service.

Linda Vista Youth of Year on NBC Special

"EVERY MOMENT COUNTS" CAPTURES IMPACT OF PGA TOUR A doctor and his wife dedicate themselves to repairing facial disfigurements in third-world countries. A young boy from war-torn Somalia finds the necessary guidance to learn a new language and settle into a normal life in America. A gravely sick child is granted a selfless wish that benefits the children in his neighborhood. Exceptional people, extraordinary stories. It's a message that resonates throughout the communities in which the PGA TOUR plays. Every Moment Counts, a one-hour special airing on NBC Sunday, December 15 at 1 p.m. ET, documents these and other examples of how lives are impacted through the hundreds of charities supported by TOUR events each year. Narrated by Emmy Award-winning actor John Spencer from The West Wing and produced by PGA TOUR Productions, Every Moment Counts recaps special moments from the 2002 PGA TOUR season and highlights several charities, including the Boys & Girls Club of Greater San Diego and our Linda Vista Youth of the Year, Ahmed Farah. Ahmed Farah came to America in search of a new home. Little did he know that he'd find it at the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Diego, where he since has given even more than he has received. Click here to find our more about Ahmed.