“It Just Takes One” Campaign Underway for Boys & Girls Club of the Harbor Area
Irvine, California (PRWEB) February 14, 2014 -- The Boys and Girls Club of the Harbor Area hopes you will be “the one” to make a financial gift of support this year. The local nonprofit, which has been serving kids in Orange County for more than 70 years, today launched its annual fundraising campaign known as “It Just Takes One” with the goal of raising $110,000 over the course of six weeks. It Just Takes One is launching with great momentum thanks to a gift of $70,000 from Newport Beach philanthropist David Pyle, who offered the donation as a matching gift. Mr. Pyle is the founder and CEO of American Career College, and the Executive Chairman of the Board of West Coast University.
“We are beyond thrilled by David Pyle’s generosity and thank all of our friends at West Coast University and American Career College for supporting the crucial community resource that we provide,” said Tammy Walz, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of the Harbor Area. “With this matching gift, supporters can triple their own donations to the campaign. For example, a gift of $25 dollars becomes $75 thanks to Mr. Pyle.”
“It has been my personal mission to support community organizations like the Boys & Girls Club of the Harbor Area because of the important services they provide to our youth,” Mr. Pyle said. “In fact, my own children were members at the Newport club, so I know first-hand how their programs make a positive impact.”
There are approximately 20 to 25 hours per week that children are out of school while most parents are at work, creating an “after-school gap.” Self-care and boredom can increase the likelihood that a young person will experiment with drugs and alcohol by as much as 50 percent, according to a recent study by Columbia University; youth tend to develop patterns of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use - or nonuse – from ages 12 to 15. The study also found that children are three times more likely to use marijuana or other drugs, and also more likely to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes and engage in sexual activity, than those who are not in afterschool programs.
Every day, the four facilities that comprise the Boys and Girls Club of the Harbor Area are open to the youth of the community during these crucial peak hours, providing a wide range of programs and activities, including tutoring and homework assistance.
“In today’s society, there are a lot of choices out there for kids to make,” Walz said. “We want to make sure they are making the right choices. At the Boys & Girls club we are focused on character development and motivating youth to pursue their educational and career dreams. It just takes one person to open a door and put a child on the path to a great future. Join us. Support the 2014 Annual Campaign for Boys & Girls Club of the Harbor area. You can make a difference. Help us serve more young people, more often in a safe and nurturing environment.”
It Just Takes One is currently underway. One hundred percent of the proceeds go directly to funding programs at all four club locations. Donations are tax deductible. You can donate online at http://www.harborareabgc.com, in person at any club location or by calling 949-642-8372.
Joe Cockrell, +1 949-793-3057, [email protected]
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