Greensboro Fire Department Visits PNC

Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club members recently were visited by the Greensboro Fire Department for a day full of safety tips and exploration on the life of a firefighter. 

Greensboro Fire Department Chief Bashore shared the importance of safety within the home and shared rescue stories. 

Club members got to tour the fire truck, see how the truck’s lights work, as well as the siren.

“What the kids enjoyed the most was being able to help the firefighter spray the water hose,” Stacy McClendon, PNBGC Director shared. “Throughout the experience our youth learned about the different kinds of fires and ways that the firefighters use their tools, like the firehose, to put fires out and save people’s lives.”

Club member Journee Miller shared that he enjoyed “the fire safety & prevention program. I learned about all the different materials that they have to use especially heavy clothes & how quickly they have to move with them on.”

“We had the opportunity to climb on the truck and take a closer look at everything they use, and we heard different stories,” Rylei West, a PNBGC club member added. “We also got a chance to take a picture with the firefighters.”

McClendon shared his appreciation for the Greensboro Fire Department spending time with PNBGC youth.

“Ireally enjoyed working with the Greensboro Fire Department to help our youth learn more about safety. Our club members are our number one priority,” he said. “We strive to provide a safe environment for our youth that they can respect and admire.”

To learn more about Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club visit, www.bgcncg.com/petenance or call 706-920-1400.

Evander Holyfield Partners with B&G Club

Four-time time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield is partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia to continue making a difference in children’s lives. 

Holyfield grew up worried about whether or not youth in his school would notice the holes in his clothes and was determined to make a difference in his life’s trajectory. In the wake of his determination is a long list of boxing victories, books about his life, his philanthropic organization the Holyfield Foundation and one icon title of the only man to win four consecutive heavyweight championships. 

Through the Holyfield Foundation, he is deeply committed to giving back to various causes that pull on his heartstrings. A cause that resonates with him is working in youth development, especially partnering alongside Boys & Girls Clubs who are making the lasting impact to change lives. 

Evander Holyfield will be hands on with his partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia, as he will referee Walton County Boys & Girls Club Fight for Our Future boxing event. Holyfield will referee seven matches comprised of local Walton County celebrities. The main event for the evening will be a match between Bob Mackey, BGCNCG President & CEO, and Ross Bradly, owner of Your Pie and WCBGC Board Chair. 

“BGCNCG is committed to the youth of North Central Georgia and with that commitment we are continually striving to bridge new relationships for our youth,” Bob Mackey, shared. “This partnership with Evander Holyfield will give our youth an experience of a lifetime and an event you do not want to miss.”

The partnership was bridged by Ross Mason and the HINRI Foundation. To learn more about HINRI please visit http://www.hinri.org/.

To learn more about Fight for Our Future, visit www.bgcncg.com/boxing. To learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georiga, visit www.bgcncg.comor call 770-267-8034.

Baking up life skills at PNBGC

Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club teen members are learning entrepreneurial skills through their bi-weekly bake sale program. 

“Club members get to practice skills such as budgeting, public speaking and advertising for the bake sale,” Stacy McClendon, PNBGC Director shared. “Being able to develop and build on the life skills they learn everyday shows our Club members that hard work produces results.”

McClendon adds that it’s thrilling to watch teen Club members and their parents work together on bake sale items.

 PNBGC member, Arian Ross, said, “I love hosting the bake sale because we can show others what we are working on in the Teen Center.”

To learn more about Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club visit, www.bgcncg.com/petenance or call 706-920-1400.

Smart Kids will kick off new year for PNBGC

Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club’s Learning Center opened fall with a new program called “Smart Kids.”

“To kick our school year off to a great start, Sheila Williams our Learning Center Youth Development leader guided Club members in an exciting program where the kids will be able to witness a new and exciting approach to the way we use technology,” Stacy McClendon PNBGC Director shares. “Williams wanted to create something that the Club members could relate to regarding technology. Club members created a cellphone device in which the pretended to encourage their future selves. This activity was very popular with the Club kids.”

Williams icebreaker activity introducing Smart Kids gave Club members a chance to look into the future and compare the difference between the dialogue now and what they imagine it would be like in the future. The lesson created positive conversations among the kids and showed them a positive to way to use text messaging. 

PNCBGC member, Akerria Griggs, shared the lesson had her excited for other ways they would use technology in other lessons. 

The program will focus on boosting communication skills and safe ways to interact with technology.

To learn more about Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club visit, www.bgcncg.com/petenance or call 706-920-1400.

PNBGC Names Youth of the Month for September

Junior Youth of the Month, Va’Quaria Dunn

Youth of the Month, Alexa Brown

For Club members at Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club being named Youth of the Month is a high honor. Every month youth are recognized for modeling their leadership abilities. 

For the month of September, PNBGC named Alexa Brown as Youth of the Month and Va’Quaria Dunn as Junior Youth of the Month.

“Va’Quaria Dunn has shown growth in areas such as Academics, community involvement and team spirit. She brightens up the Teen Center with her overall contagious smile and spirit,”Diedra Richbow, PNBGC Program Coordinator shared.“We look forward to seeing her future growth and progress she’s going to make in the Teen Center.”

Dunn shared her favorite summer program was cheerleading. 

“Alexa Brown has grown into a leader within the Club by following Club rules and helping out despite being a Club member for only a short period of time,” Diedra Richbow, PNBGC Program Coordinator shared.“She’s always eager to help and she’s the kid that goes out of her way to welcome new members because she knows that coming to a new place with unfamiliar face can be scary.”

Brown and Dunn were named Youth of the Month for showcasing leadership skills during their cheerleading camp sessions. 

To learn more about Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club visit, www.bgcncg.com/petenance or call 706-920-1400.

BGCNCG Awarded Grant through B&G of Georgia

New Tweens & Teens Initiative 

Boys & Girls Club of North Central Georgia will continue making smart moves count within teen pregnancy prevention through an awarded grant program from Boys & Girls Clubs of Georgia, Inc. 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provided a $730,000 to BGC, which a portion will be distributed to BGCNCG to help implement a new Reducing the Risk Program. 

BGCNCG continues to maintain zero teen pregnancies in each of its Clubs in Greene, Morgan, Walton and Newton Counties for teens who attend the Club at least three times or more a week. 

“Reducing the Risk Program is designed to help youth ages 14-19 to reduce the risk of unhealthy choices and relationships."

Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia will provide this program to youth currently enrolled in its Clubs. This program will train staff in the Reducing the Risk program, open opportunities to parent sessions and positively impact the youth of BGCNCG.

“Health education is at the core of our programs that helps equip our youth to become successful adults in making positive choices that impact their bodies and futures,” Bob Mackey, Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia. “We are looking forward to continuing to make such impacts through this awarded grant and program initiative.”

To learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia, visit www.bgcncg.comor call 770-267-8034.

Piedmont Water Company Gives to PNBGC

Moonlight & Motown Sounds of Motown Presenting Sponsor

Piedmont Water Company is a family-owned and operated business who holds giving back as an essential part of their foundation. This year Piedmont Water will be supplying hope and promise for Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club members with their Sounds of Motown Sponsorship for the Club’s annual event Moonlight & Motown. 

“PNBGC is providing a great service to the community by helping young people grow and giving them life lessons and values that help them to become fine humans,” Adam Shaifer of Piedmont Water Companyshared. “Additionally, we see the amount of time, care and effort volunteers are giving to PNBGC, many of whom are from the Lake Oconee Community - our customers. If it is important to our customers, it should be important to us as well.”

Stacy McClendon, PNBGC Director, shared his gratitude and excitement for the future of this partnership. 

“It’s because businesses like Piedmont Water Company that we are able to continue to supply unique experiences for our youth,” he shared. “We are excited to continue dreaming with Piedmont Water Company as to how we can create those opportunities together.”

Shaifer shared that for Piedmont Water Company, “helping the youth in the communities we serve is a part of our philanthropic goals as a company.”

“We hope that the youth of PNBGC become productive, proud and happy additions to the community we live in or beyond, as they grow into adults,” he added. “The Shaifer family looks forward to supporting PNGRC in strategic ways that help achieve the stated goals of the club, supporting the youth in becoming fine men and women.

Piedmont Water Company was founded in 1992 in the Lake Oconee area to design, construct, own and operate water systems.  We now service more than 30,000 customers in 13 counties across North Georgia. You can learn more about Piedmont Water Company a www.piedmontwater.comor by calling 800-248-7689.     

To learn more about Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club and their signature event Moonlight & Motown, visit www.bgcncg.com/moonlightmotown or call 706-920-1400. Tickets for Moonlight & Motown go on sale Aug. 14 and partnership opportunities are still available.  

PNBGC Teens Venture to Teen Summit

Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club teens traveled to Oxford College of Emory University recently for the Georgia Teen Institute Teen Summit. 

PNBGC teens, alongside PNBGC Membership Clerk Ardra Chapman, spent four days with GTI at their residential camp developing leadership skills within Youth Action Teams. 

“I was so blessed to be able to attend the Teen Summit with our amazing teens,” Chapman shared. “In our youth teams we worked through leadership skills to engage in a strategic prevention planning process through workshops, team meeting and team building activities. We worked to plan and implement peer-focused prevention and community service projects.”

Chapman shared that the team meeting sessions taught PNBGC teens the power of working together to solve every day problems as one. 

“My favorite part of our experience at the GTI Teen Summit was the session focusing on the “Power of One,” she shared. “The session was designed to showcase that in everything you do in life you only get out what you put in.”

Chapman also shared that she enjoyed the fact that all the workshops dealt with real life situations that teens and adults face such as drug and alcohol abuse, vaporing, social media use, bullying and depression. 

Sha’Marria LaGuins, a PNBGC teen, shared the “summit was a great experience for me. I really enjoyed meeting new people, the sessions and the workshops.” 

For Chapman being able to watch the Club teens learn real life prevention skills was an amazing experience. 

“Our teens have skills to take back to their peer groups to help work through issues together in a productive manner and that’s incredible.”

To learn more about Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club visit, www.bgcncg.com/petenance or call 706-920-1400.

PNBGC Names Youth of the Month for August

Ja’Mia, center, spends time with her Club friends.

For Club members at Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club being named Youth of the Month is a high honor. Every month a youth is recognized for modeling their leadership abilities. 

For the month of August, PNBGC named Ja’Mia Gresham as Youth of the Month.

“Ja’Mia Gresham has always been a well-behaved Club member. She was exceptionally shy at the Club in the beginning,” Diedra Richbow, PNBGC Program Coordinator shared. “Ja’Mia has grown into a very active Club member who participates in cheerleading and dance. She really brings joy to the Club with her positive attitude and smile.”

“A highlight for me has been watching her step outside of her shell to become a leader within her cheerleading class,” Richbow added. 

Ja’Mia shared that her favorite program was participating in Cheerleading this summer.  

“I enjoy coming to the Club because I get help with my homework, play with friends and learn new skills like cheerleading,” she shared.

For Diedra, watching Ja’Mia bollosom into the leader she is reminds her of the purpose of the Club.

To learn more about Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club visit, www.bgcncg.com/petenance or call 706-920-1400.

Club youth explore Jekyll Island

Thank you Novelis, Inc. for providing this trip to our youth!

Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club recently visited Jeykll Island for an immersive educational experience at 4H Camp Jekyll. The trip was sponsored by Novelis, Inc., who believes in the power of providing STEM education for youth. 

As soon as Club members arrived on the island they became scientist in training spending each day alongside local ecologists of Tidelands Nature Center to learn how beaches are formed, disrupted by weather, the animals who live among the sand dunes and how humans can play a role in protecting the beach wildlife. 

“Members gained insight on howthe moon and the sun control the waves and tides as well as how sand dunes are made and how they act as a protection shield when there is a hurricane,” Diedra Richbow, Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club Programs Coordinator, shared. “The youth were highly interested in beach wildlife, which is why the beach walk at night was such a hit amongst our youth.”

Club members walked the beach from 8 to 9 pm one evening to learn about the activities of animals at night on the beach, such as sea turtles coming up on the beach to bury their eggs.

“After seeing such a feat from the Sea Turtle, Club youth were over the moon to learn they would be learning about them the next day, Richbow added.

Club youth learned about Herpetology at the Tidelands Nature Center and were given the opportunity to touch a turtle, alligator and a snake.

 “The show stopper experience for our youth during their Camp Jekyll experience was the Ecology and Dolphin Boat Tour,” she shared. “Members were taught about the survival of dolphins and their intelligence. Youth participated in a team building activity which involved them throwing a fishing net into the water to catch fish and pulling it out with the net being occupied by all kinds of ocean animals. For many of our Club youth this was the first time they had ever seen a dolphin.” 

“This experience is one our Club youth will remember for the rest of their lives. The youth spent the entire ride home sharing how they were interested in ecology as a career and wanting to visit again,” Richbow shared.

Charity Burnette of Novelis, Inc. shared that Novelis hopes to provide youth in Greene County “STEM education activities that they otherwise wouldn’t get to participate in.”

“A lot of kids in Greensboro have never left the county,” she added. In addition to the STEM activities, we wanted to help the Club youth have an opportunity to travel and experience new things outside of the familiar. We are so thrilled to learn of all they were able to engage with and learn.”  

Stacy McClendon, Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club Director, shared his gratitude for Novelis’ continued partnership with PNBGC.

“Without great partnerships we would be unable to continue to expand the uniquely crafted experiences we offer the youth of Greene County,” he shared. “We are so grateful for Novelis’ vision and dedication to impacting youth through educational efforts alongside us.”

To learn more about Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club, visit www.bgcncg.com/petenance or call 770-267-8033

Duck Derby Huge Success for BGCNCG

“Do you think your rubber duck will be the winner” was a common question heard at Porterdale’s Yellow River Park Saturday, as folks enjoyed the second annual Duck Derby hosted by Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia.

Several attended the event to watch over 2,300-rubber ducks float along the Yellow River in a race for $10,000 at the finish line. 

BGCNCG’s summer fundraiser was in partnership with the City of Porterdale and raises funds for youth served in Newton, Greene, Morgan and Walton counties. 

Spectators gathered early to get a place in line to watch the ducks drop, as well as grab last minute lucky ducks for the big race. Youth from the newly opened Newton County Boys & Girls Club helped pep up the crowd as they greeted spectators with Howard the Duck. 

 As the duck launch approached, spectators made their way to the riverbank to watch the race. A large gasp and cheers could be heard as the ducks dropped into the Yellow River for the race of a lifetime. 

Once the finish line was crossed and the winning ducks were pulled, it was time for a grand prize winner announcement.

This year’s $10,000 grand prize winner is Jerry Schonhoft. On Sunday Jerry received his winning phone call and was in shock.

“I was shocked. I’ve never won anything in my life. I was with my grandson, as he was getting a tennis lesson when Bob Mackey gave me a call,” Schonhoft shared. “I remember buying the ticket from Jim Liebeck (Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club board member) and thinking the odds weren’t going to be in my favor, but here I am.”

Schonhoft shared his family is going to be in shock when he gets home with his grand prize check.

“I’m just thrilled,” he added. “I always thought that the Boys & Girls Club was a great place and I really think it’s a great place now.

For Bob Mackey, President and CEO of BGCNCG, watching the North Central Georgia join together to support its youth is inspiring for the future.

“During the event I watched as people met one another and shared their reason for being present. Overwhelmingly the response was ‘or the youth.’ Mackey shared. “It takes a village to ensure our youth become productive citizens while learning life skills they’ll need to be successful. We are so grateful to the community’s relentless support of our mission. The gift you provided our youth with your support will continue to ripple effect in these youth’s lives for years to come.”

Jerry Schonhoft wasn’t the only winner from Duck Derby!

Four other community members took home prizes from the event. Jim Borland won a golf adventure to The Oaks Golf Course, Robert Witchor won Your Pie for a year and Jerry Evans won an iPad mini.

Overall, the event was a success for BGCNCG.

“June (Tompkins’ wife) and I had a big time making new friends and laughing with old friends,” Michael Tompkins, BGCNCG Corporate Board Chair, shared. “The magical benefit was watching our kids, parents and supporters come together dancing and sharing in a fun event.”

Porterdale was happy to host the second annual Duck Derby event.

“The Duck Derby is such a creative way of raising funds for an important cause, allowing the young people of the community to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. The City of Porterdale, couldn’t have been more pleased to support the 2ndDuck Derby,” Josephine Kelly, Downtown Development Director, said.“There was a happy enthusiastic crowd in attendance and with the dedicated effort of the Boys and Girls Club and the Porterdale Public Works Department, the event was a great success.”

Mackey added that without great sponsors, such as presenting sponsor Canon and the City of Porterdale for allowing the organization to partner with them – this event wouldn’t have been as successful. 

“The real winners of this event are our youth!”

Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia serves over 1,500 youth in North Central Georgia. 

If you’d like to learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia or are interested in getting involved on a local level, visit www.bgcncg.comor call 770-267-8034.

BGCNCG Welcomes Barnesville-Lamar to the Movement

Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia celebrated the ground breaking of its newest Club site located in Barnesville, Georgia. Barnesville-Lamar Boys & Girls Club is set to open January 13, 2020 and will serve ages 6 - 18 of Lamar county. 

The Club’s steering committee, along with Lamar county residents and officials, planted their golden shovels into the soil marking the beginning of BLBGC’s journey to become a fully operational Club in 2020. 

“Ten years from now this Club will be a gift that will truly keep on giving. The dedication behind this effort that’s made this ground breaking possible today – and moving forward - will change the environment, trajectory and outlook of youth in Lamar County,” Bob Mackey, President & CEO of BGCNCG shared. “On behalf of the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia, we’d like to congratulate your steering committee on the steps taken to change lives forever.”

Joe Edwards, president of United Bank, longtime supporter of Lamar County youth and steering committee chairman of Barnesville-Lamar Boys & Girls Club, shared his excitement to be opening a Club with Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia. 

“Soon it will be five decades that my family and I have been in Lamar county. I’ve worked on a lot of civic projects in those years, but never have I witnessed such a unified support,” Edwards shared. “The county commission is with us, the school board is with us, the Rotatory Club is with us – I’ve never seen so much support and encouragement and we’re here today committing to the youth because of that support.” 

Ron Smith, Lamar County School Board member, added to Edwards’ sentiments.

“We feel very blessed to live in a community like ours with such support for our kids,” Smith said. “We are making a great opportunity available today. A place for kids to be kids, but also a place where they can be guided into adulthood.”

Michael Tompkins, BGCNCG Corporate Board Chairman, concluded that this new addition will continue to give youth “a hand up.”

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart. It’s amazing what we’re doing with these youth,” he said. “We’re giving these kids the tools to access the greatness in this country.”

Boys & Girls Clubs are essential places where youth can develop skills, make lasting connections with mentors, and achieve great futures. Since youth have different experiences and learning styles, Boys & Girls Clubs never take a single approach to helping youth succeed. It takes caring individuals to provide a safe place, and quality programs. This ensures that all youth have a brighter future. 

BLBGC will provide young people a fun, safe and educational space with a fostering environment where they can be who they are—and become who they are meant to be.

To learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia, visit www.bgcncg.com. To learn more about how you can become involved in the Barnesville-Lamar Boys & Girls Club, call 770-267-8034 or visit their Facebook @BLBGC. 

PNBGC have blast during Novelis STEM Camp

For the month of June, engineers and interns from Novelis spent time with Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club members for STEM Camp every Monday and Thursday. 

Alongside PNBGC volunteers, Novelis helped Club members explore science and technology through hands-on experiments. 

“Learning through experimentation is so very important. It affords the members the opportunity to be curious and explore to find answers to their questions,” Diedra Richbow, PNBGC Program Coordinator, shared. “Participating in hands-on learning builds our Club members’ confidence and allows them to expand on their natural curiosity.”

To help cultivate that natural curiosity, Club members kept a journal throughout their month-long camp experience. They took notes on each module, lesson learned and aspect of the experiences that stuck on to them. 

PNBGC member, Jodryn Chaffin, shared “I loved being creative during the experiments and testing ideas to see if they would work.”

Markecia Reid, a Club member, stated that the magnet experiments were fun and she learned something new.

“We are so grateful for Novelis and the volunteers who helped with this month-long camp. Those volunteers were: Ulises Trejo, Brett Reeves, Heather Riley, and Nick Callies.

To learn more about Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club, visit www.bgcncg.com/petenance or call 706-920-1400.

PNBGC learn basketball skills from Robert Swain

Robert Swain, premier Basketball coach and owner of Swain Basketball Academy recently taught Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club members.

Club members participated in a one-day camp learning dribbling drills, shooting techniques and passing drills. 

“Robert is a well-respected leader around many areas,” Stacy McClendon, PNBGC Director shared. “He provides wisdom, courage, discipline and guidance to the younger generation.”

During his visit, McClendon shared, “he showed our youth many ways of how to never give up, keep their heads above water and always stay positive.”

“My favorite quote that he shared with our youth was ‘own the moment,’ which in my mind means to never settle and take advantage of every opportunity.”

To learn more about Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club, visit www.bgcncg.com/petenance or call 706-920-1400.

Greensboro City Council member Jontavius Smith joins PNBGC Board

Greensboro City Council member Jontavius Smith wants to make a difference in Greene County. For Jontavius “giving is one of the best forms of servitude” and he’s looking forward to giving his time and treasures to the Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club board.

“I for one was excited when I heard the news of Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club coming to our city. It’s an honor to now become an active member of the Club board for PNBGC,” Smith shared. “Any opportunity to offer hope is dear to me, therefore, I’m honored to have been given the chance to partner with support and serve alongside others who have a likeminded vision about our youth.”

When looking for opportunities to give back toward, it wasn’t hard for Smith to establish that PNBGC indeed plays a vital role in the youth of Greene County. 

“There are countless testimonies attesting to how fundamental the Boys & Girls Club has been. Celebrities abroad but equally as important, the local celebrities within each community. By local celebrities I mean our youth,” he shared. “I have been and still am of the belief that given positive and constructive alternatives, we are able to improve the outcome of our community through our youth.” 

Stacy McClendon, PNBGC Club Director, shared his excitement for Smith. 

“I am very excited about the great possibilities and potential that Jontavius Smith will bring to our Club board,” he said. “He will bring great enthusiasm and poise to his position. I am looking forward to working closely with Jontavius, as we continue the work of helping our youth here in Greensboro reach their full potential as productive and caring citizens.”

As for Smith, he’s looking forward to the new perspective of looking through the eyes of Greene County’s youth. 

“Being a board member affords me the chance to look through a different set of lenses. I look forward to embracing the opportunity to learn and gain a new perspective on our community through the eyes and lives of our youth. The world is becoming more and more challenging for them,” he said. “They hold the future in their hands and sometimes all a youth needs to know is they matter. I’d love to positively impact every single young one in our community, however, given the chance to provide such hope to at least one of them, I’d be extremely grateful. This is what I look forward to most being a board member.”

Jontavius is the son of a single mother, who he says, “did a phenomenal job making sure her son didn’t become a statistic.” 

“She instilled the meaning of respect and giving is better than receiving. She made sure I understood that you get back what you put in. Those amongst a plethora of foundational principles stuck with me,” he added.

Jontavius and his mother own Mapp’s Personal Care. He’s active in his church, as well as within his family. 

To learn more about Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club, visit www.bgcncg.com/petenance or call 706-920-1400.

Greene County Resident Raquel Cobb Joins PNBGC Board

Community member Raquel Cobb wants to make a difference in Greene County. It’s important to her to give back to the community that raised her. She’ll be joining the Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club to do just that – giving back to the future of Greene County. 

“I want to be active in the community that provided so much to me when I was a student in the Greene County School System,” Cobb shared. “By being on the Club board for the Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club, I’m helping the Club continue to provide more students the opportunities and experiences I received in school that helped to lay the foundation for me.”

When looking for opportunities to give back toward, it wasn’t hard for Cobb to establish that PNBGC indeed plays a vital role in the youth of Greene County. 

“I believe the PNBGC provides a safe and productive place for our youth and molds them to become better students and ultimately responsible adults. Hopefully, after graduation, these students will return to the community to sustain and influence Greene County in a positive way,” she shared.

Stacy McClendon, PNBGC Club Director, shared his excitement for Cobb.

“I am very excited about the great possibilities and potential that Raquel Cobb will bring to our Club board,” he said. “She will bring great enthusiasm and poise to her position. I am looking forward to working closely with Raquel, as we continue the work of helping our youth here in Greensboro reach their full potential as productive and caring citizens.”

As for Cobb, she can’t wait to interact with Club youth.

“I am most looking forward to interacting with the Club members and sharing any opportunities that will prepare them academically or socially.”

Cobb is a 2011 graduate of Greene County High School and currently the Marketing Manager at BankSouth. She has a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from Clemson University and a master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from West Virginia University. Locally, she has been involved in community camps, the Greene County Back-to-School Bash, and ATLAS Ministry. Other community involvement includes volunteering with hurricane relief projects and non-profit organizations benefitting small children and school-aged children, as well as completing Leadership Oconee.

To learn more about Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club, visit www.bgcncg.com/petenance or call 706-920-1400.

PNBGC Names Youth of the Month for June

Aaron Smith

Andrew Smith

For Club members at Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club being named Youth of the Month is a high honor. Every month a youth is recognized for modeling their leadership abilities. 

For the month of June, PNBGC named Aaron Smith and his brother Andrew Smith as Youths of the Month.

“I have watched Aaron and Andrew grow from being two shy twin boys who would only communicate with one another into these outgoing kids with a sparky personality,” Diedra Richbow, PNBGC Program Coordinator shared. “They are very involved in the Club.”

Aaron shared that his favorite program is working in the Novelis Lab on STEM projects. 

“I like the Novelis Lab because Ms. Ardra helps me with homework and allows us to do math problems on the board,” he shared. “I’ve been learning this year that it’s ok to be myself, always.”

PNBGC Youth Development Professional, Ms Ardra, echoed Aaron’s enthusiasm. 

“He’s always willing to go the extra mile on the drop of a dime,” she shared. 

His brother Andrew also favors the Novelis Lab. 

“It’s fun going into the lab and working on new projects,” he shared. “This year my most impactful moment has been reading with the K9 Angels. They helped me with my Milestones testing and to become more confident in reading.”

To learn more about Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club visit, www.bgcncg.com/petenance or call 706-920-1400.

Volunteering at PNBGC enriches community

Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club volunteer Jim Borland sees the Club as a place to give back for a positive return in the lives of the youth. After retiring from 35 years of work, Jim was ready to volunteer with youth and he knew exactly where he wanted to give his time and treasures. 

“Seeing a difference in the kids who attend the Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club versus the kids who don’t attend really opens your eyes to the kind of difference that’s being made here at the Club,” Jim shared. “You can tell the Club is changing the lives of these youth daily.”

When asked about an impactful moment to choose from Borland shared how much he’s enjoyed helping during PNBGC Thursday Night Dinner Program. 

“Watching these youth enjoy each other’s company and have a good meal warms your heart,” he shared. 

Stacy McClendon, PNBGC Director, shared “Mr. Jim has done an amazing job of bringing new meal ideas that allow our youth to stay excited and engaged during our Thursday Dinners.”

“Our volunteers are so kind and humble; they love working with the Club members and it shows in these actions and behavior,” McClendon shared. “Jim is one of those volunteers. I believe it takes someone special to volunteer and spend time with our youth, to listen and share guidance.”

Volunteering at the Club, for Jim, isn’t about what he will receive but “how much I can give.”

To learn more about Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club visit, www.bgcncg.com/petenanceor call 706-920-1400.

PNBGC Lend Helping Hands to Atlas Ministry

Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club members took a field trip to Atlas Ministry recently to lend a helping hand. 

“Club members assisted volunteers by creating and helping put together packets for Atlas’ PAT Program,” Asia Mitchell, Teen Center Director, shared. “They were able to use skills they learned in our Smart Girls and Passport to Manhood Programs to get there tasks done as volunteers.”

Mitchell added this gave Club members real-world experiences in helping others and overall “our youth had an amazing experience.”

One PNBGC member shared that he liked “designing and putting the packets together knowing they were going to help someone.”

To learn more about Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club visit, www.bgcncg.com/petenance or call 706-920-1400.