Dr. Jep Paschal Committed to MMCBGC Youth

Dr. Jep Paschal believes in community giving and because of this he believes in giving toward life-change work happening within the Madison-Morgan County Boys & Girls Club. It’s been Dr. Jep Paschal commitment to give each year toward Club and this year is no different. He recently visited the Club with a $10,000 check and was met with cheers from Club youth.

“Donating to the Club was a watershed moment in Paschal Orthodontics life of donating,” he shared. “It was the first significant annual donation that we were able to achieve and has since become one of our principle commitments. It is safe to say that this donation was a turning point in our lives and opened the door to an annual giving program that we truly appreciate being able to support.”

During his visit Dr. Paschal spoke to Club youth about the importance and power of learning. 

“You truly never stop learning,” he shared echoing that the Club provides them a place to practice their learning skills and how to become productive adults. 

It’s the youth themselves that pull on the heartstrings of Dr. Paschal for his continued involvement – for him, it’s a no brainer.

“Opportunity, future, community, commitment,” he shared. “These are the words that come to my mind when I think about the local Club. When I come here, I’m seeing children forming bonds with true mentors that are helping them become more than they would have been if the Club wasn't in their lives. I’ve seen community members grow because of the roles they are involved with at the Club.”

Giving to the Club matters to Dr. Paschal because “kids need a place to go where they can grow.”

“Giving matters because without it the Club ceases to exist.   The lives that it touches on a daily basis will cease to be exposed to local leaders and many business leaders the reside in or out of Madison.”

To learn more about Dr. Jep Paschal and Paschal Orthodontics, visit www.paschalorthodontics.com. To learn more about the Madison-Morgan County Boys & Girls Club, visit MMCBGC Club page or call 706-342-1117.

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BGCNCG hosts fall Safety Training for staff & volunteers

Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia recently held an organization wide safety training session for staff and volunteers at its Walton County Club location. Staff and volunteers were provided with educational tools to determine the best course of action regarding safety measures for the youth who attend BGCNCG Clubs. 

A review of BGCNCG safety regulations, which is upheld and guided by Boys & Girls Clubs of America, was provided by Karen Robertson, Senior Executive Club Director for Madison-Morgan Boys & Girls Club. 

“The safety of our youth is our No. 1 priority in providing safe spaces for our youth to learn, grow and prosper into young adults,” Karen Robertson shared. “It was a delight to also be facilitating this training alongside a Boys & Girls Clubs of America representative, who’s purpose it to monitor, give feedback and provide resources for us to utilize at our Clubs.”

Bob Mackey, President and CEO of BGCNCG, closed out training by giving the staff and volunteers a talk about teamwork and commitment.

“I’m so proud of the team we have for BGCNCG. Changing a child’s life starts with these individuals who see our youth day in and out at our Clubs,” he shared. “We truly strive for excellence in our commitment to the youth, which is why training is such a vital way of being successful at impacting the youth of North Central Georgia.”

Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia serves Morgan, Greene, Putnam, Jasper and Newton Counties. To learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia, visit www.bgcncg.comor call 770-267-8034.

Liz Huntley to 'change lives' with Sept. 18 event

When Madison resident Ashley Hunt first heard Liz Huntley speak she knew that Madison had to experience this woman’s story. 

“It’s life changing – but it also is the story of the youth we serve at Madison-Morgan Boys & Girls Club,” she shared. “It’s the story of how going the extra mile does indeed save lives.”

As soon as she left the speaking engagement where Huntley was presenting, Ashley called up her MMBGC board and the planning began for the Liz Huntley Speaks event to be held Sept. 18 at the James Madison Inn. 

Huntley, a Birmingham Lawyer and child advocate, penned down her personal experiences where those who went the extra mile saved her life.

Her book “More Than A Bird” talks about her Boys & Girls Club membership, church and teachers who went over and beyond to impact her life.

“That’s a message I am hoping will reach others in Madison,” Hunt said. “If we all do a little something. We can make a different in a life.”

And Huntley’s story isn’t an easy one.  

From losing her mother to suicide to her dad being in jail, Huntley was faced with struggles she didn’t have any control over at a very young age. A parallel, Hunt says, several Club youth experience. 

Since the Club opened in 2008 Hunt has been giving her time to the Club’s youth. “I wrote a check, reached out and said I'd love to be on the board,” she said. “This all stemmed from growing up with my dad who was always a mentor. He instilled in me to be involved in your community.”

Hunt says she believes in doing what “we can to instill in our children to be good people. I just think we are all liable. We are all responsible to help a child become a successful adult.”

When it comes to supporting the Club, this event is a two-fold effort. 

“Attend the event because Liz Huntley will touch your life, inspire you and you’ll leave with a smile on your face,” Hunt says. “But what you’ll also do is continue to put smiles on the children’s faces we serve, who are all too familiar with parts are all of Huntley’s story.”

“Our Club is a place where our youth go after school to learn, grow and have fun in safety. 

We are striving to make a difference in a child's life - that’s what it's all about. That’s Liz  Huntley's whole philosophy and  it works for her. It can work for our children - we just have to go the extra mile.”

To learn more about Liz Huntley Speaks visit  or call 706-342-1117.

Liz Huntley Speaks Coming to Madison!

MMBGC hosting Inspirational Speaker Sept. 18

Local American Idol Finalist Performing 

This September Madison and surrounding communities have the unique opportunity to be uplifted with inspiration while also giving inspiration to the youth that attends Madison-Morgan Boy & Girls Club.

Author, Speaker, Lawyer and Child Advocate Liz Huntley will visit Madison’s James Madison Conference Center September 18 to deliver her story during a fundraiser luncheon.

All the proceeds from the inspirational event will benefit the Club youth.  

Liz Huntley is the author of “More Than A Bird,” an inspirational story, which follows her journey from a childhood marked by extreme poverty and violence to a career as a successful litigation attorney and passionate child advocate,” Nancy Vaughan, Co-President of the MMBGC Advisory board said. “Her story reflects the importance of early intervention in the lives of the young people who need us the most, which is exactly inline with the kind of work we do here at Madison-Morgan Boys & Girls Club.”

Huntley credits her local Boys & Girls Club as one of those positive influences, which helped her succeed despite the turmoil of her early life.

“We felt that offering the community a unique insight to how our Club influences children’s lives, while also hearing a story that echo’s a message of you can overcome obstacles, would lend itself to be an impactful event,” Vaughan shared.

TICKETS

$50 PER PERSON - INCLUDES CATERED LUNCH BY CABOOSE OF RUTLEDGE, GA

Huntley won’t be the only inspirational aspect of this event! Bria Anai Johnson, a former Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia Club member, will showcase her talents and speak to the positive impact of her Club experience.

Bria, who was an American Idol Top 10 Finalist during Season XIII, now attends Clark Atlanta University with her sights set on singing and acting.

“Your participating helps our Club provide life-enhancing programs and character building experiences to over 350 Morgan County young people we serve,” Karen Robertson, Senior Executive Director for MMBGC said. “These youth look to the Club to provide a safe place to learn and grow under the supervision of a trained and caring staff.”

Tickets for Liz Huntley include a catered lunch provided by the Caboose and are $50 per person. If you’d like to purchase tickets or see how you can partner with Madison-Morgan Boys & Girls Club for this fundraiser, please visit www.bgcncg.com/lizhuntleyspeaks.