“The BGC would not be able to survive without its volunteers,” she said. “I hope you all leave tonight knowing how important you are to our organization.”

Horton then proceeded to give out certificates of appreciation to all volunteers in attendance.  Volunteer groups that were represented included the FanParents, an organization providing parental assistance, encouragement and involvement for Club members, the Statesboro Service League, Georgia Southern University’s (GSU) Honors Program and GSU’s Department of Nutrition and Food Science.

Other volunteer groups that could not be present included GSU’s Sport Management Department, Statesboro School of Dance, which is directed by Mrs. Shay Morgan, Bulloch County Health Department, various alumni of the fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi and various GSU faculty and community members.

After all the certificates had been given out, Horton presented the BGC’s Volunteer of the Year Award to 77-year-old volunteer Mrs. Bobby Altmiller. Altmiller began volunteering with the Club in June 2007 and visits the Club on a weekly basis to play the piano and sing with the children. To date, she has organized several musical performances for members of the Club’s Denmark Unit, including a Christmas pageant and a performance during National Boys & Girls Club Week.  She is currently planning a spring performance, dubbed “Heroes and Holidays,” which will take place at the BGC on Thursday, May 15.

For more information on how to get involved at the BGC, please contact Tammy Horton, Director of Volunteer Services, at

(912) 764-9696 Ext. 232 or at thorton@bgcbulloch.org.

Due to the Club’s current financial situation, it is vital that this year’s annual campaign be successful. The Club relies heavily upon financial support from the local community to provide its services to the youth of Bulloch County. The BGC is not a government agency and does not receive unrestricted funding from the local, state or federal government. However, the Club does receive some grant funds through various agencies. When these grants end, certain programs and services must end as well. Increasing local support through the Club’s annual campaign would enable many programs and services to continue.

The BGC opened its doors to the Statesboro community in 2001 after it was determined that there was a need for a major youth community center in this area. The Club began with only one unit, now known as the Denmark Unit. Since 2001, the Club has added the Portal Unit, located in the town of Portal, and the Elvera Mays Teen Center, which is located behind the Denmark Unit. The Club currently serves approximately 400 youth every weekday and offers programming in five core areas: character and leadership, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts and sports, fitness and recreation.

Club programs are definitely having a positive impact on Club members. In fall 2007, a research study was conducted to gauge the effectiveness of the Club’s educational programs. The study found that youth who attended the BGC had higher grade point averages (GPA’s) than youth from the same socio-
economic background who did not attend the Club. Club members had better grades in a variety of subjects, including math, science and social studies.

The study also found that Club members who attended the Club more days during the school year had better grades than those who attended the Club fewer days during the school year. In addition to offering a wide range of effective programs, the Club’s Denmark Unit and Portal Unit are open until 7p.m. every weekday, while the Teen Center stays open until 8p.m. These later hours assist working parents and keep youth off the streets by providing them with a safe, structured environment. Local law enforcement officials have stated that since the Club has been open, they have seen a reduction in juvenile crime.