spring extra 2008 newsletter

Boys and Girls Country NewsVolume 37, Issue 3, Spring Extra 2008

18806 Roberts Road Hockley, Texas 77447

(281) 351-4976 Fax: (281) [email protected]

Donate Online!www.boysandgirlscountry.org

Inside...Page 2Message from theExecutive Director

Page 3Around Town

Page 4Around Campus

Page 5Thank You,Volunteers!

Page 6Spring Cleaning

Page 7Memorials andHonorariums

You're Invited to aVision for Children

Page 8How You Can HelpWhile Shopping!

Wishes You Can HelpUs Fulfill

Our kids raced at full throttle during the 3rd Nine-Week (grades K-6) and 4thSix-Week (grades 7-12) grading periods to get to the winner’s circle.Congratulations to our Honor Roll and Most Improved students! Thank youto all of our tutors and all of the friends who rev up our Education Program tokeep our kids on the fast track to success!

Academic Awards

All A’sAlexandraBriannaMeagan

PieroTannerTaylor

Most Improved

Ms. Elaine and Mr. Matt presentthe award for "Most Improved"to (counterclockwise) George,Jonathan, Joseph, Katelyn, andZan.

How You Can Help Reward Children for Academic AchievementBecause of generous sponsors, we were able to send children onexciting educational field trips last summer to reward them for excellentgrades, conduct, leadership, extracurricular participation, andcommunity service. With your help, we can offer the same incentivethis summer! Please call Elaine Petranek at 281-351-4976 extension 219if you would like to support our rewards program.

All A’s, B’s, and One CAlex E.Dean

DenishaJacob

LaTashaLuke

Patrick

All A’s and B’sAmy

AudreyBrandon

BruceCelesteDanettaHelen

Jean PaulJohnnyJovanni

KimKrystalMichael

RebekkahSherry

Message from the Executive Director

A year of defining, refining, and finding ourselves

Dear Reader/Alumnus/Volunteer/Donor/New Friend/Lifelong Friend:

YOU are witness to our year of becoming.

In less than a month we will watch 12 seniors we love walk across the high school graduation stage –and walk into the next step of life – with the support of Boys and Girls Country – but now a little moreon their own. They have lived with us one, four, seven, eight, nine, and twelve years. They are male andfemale, tall and short, black, white, and brown – a beautifully diverse picture of change, promise, andhope for the future.

It has been my privilege to work with them as they wrote their Senior Speech….to hear their version oftheir life here…the memories they cherish… the friends they have made…the staff they mostappreciated… the lessons they learned.

Most are well on their way to finding themselves… to knowing their weaknesses and strengths… tochoosing the people who are best for them… to sorting through all the choices… and learning from mistakes already made. This is aremarkable group of young people who have taught us so much as we have loved them and raised them…as we have walked withthem to this defining place.

At the same time Boys and Girls Country has been growing up too! At 37 years old, after an all staff/all student retreat in January toset annual goals, we set a course of action to refine ourselves…to make sure our core values were set in stone – and that we actedthem out in our daily lives. We put all our beliefs and practices under a microscope and discussed them endlessly. We made sure wewere walking our talk….acting out our beliefs….and quickly teaching everyone who came – staff or student – what they needed toknow to be a part of this big, complex family.

At each step we had to blend the needs of the individual with the needs of the cottage, the department, the organization, thecommunity. We had to find ways for each person to express their gifts and uniqueness while always recognizing their treasured spotin the life of the campus community.

And….we had to do all that “refining” while we were cooking dinner each day, washing dishes, raising money for our budget, anddoing the hundreds of daily things required, including the introduction of new children*. It has been a BIG growing up year.

e e cummings penned:Grow old along with me; the best is yet to beThe last of life for which the first was made.

Whether 18 year old seniors, or a 37 year old organization…if we continue to grow…to define and refine our changing selves….thebest is yet to be.

Thank you for growing with us…and letting us grow with you…we hope to count on you for at least another lifetime.

Blessings,

Shirley A. Wright

P.S. More to come about how we define ourselves at Boys and Girls Country!

*If you would like to read more about the newest children to join our Home, please go to www.boysandgirlscountry.org and click onNews & Events > News > 04/28/08 News about children from Eldorado.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Thank you to Oscar Padilla, Jr., the Schulte family, and Board memberRobert Kneppler, Jr. for giving us the chance to take all of our childrento the 2008 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo! Because of yourgenerosity, we played carnival games and rode thrilling rides, sawaward-winning livestock and artwork exhibitions, and watched roping,riding, racing, and great country music performances. We are gratefulto you for letting us be a part of one of the biggest events in Houston!Right: Brandon, Michael, and Jacob slide down to the RodeoCarnival

Lions and Tigers and Bears…

Thank you to the Cy-Fair High SchoolKey Club for spending a day with us atthe zoo!

We explored the animal kingdomtogether, and got up close and personalwith all sorts of animals, from alligatorsto zebras.

Around Town

Thank You, Rockets!

The Houston Rockets generously donated seats to the entire campusfamily to watch the team in action in the March 24th game as they defeatedthe Sacramento Kings (Houston 108, Sacramento 100). Go, Rockets!

Left: Jasmine and Sherry get a bear hug from Clutch, the Rocketsmascot

Easter Party

Houston Children's Charity held their Annual Easter Party atNorthland Christian School. Our children spent the day enjoying apetting zoo, pony rides, face painting, Easter baskets, games, andfun with clowns and the Easter Bunny. They enjoyed it so muchthat they were the last ones to leave the party! Thank you, HoustonChildren's Charity.

Right: Our children are all ears at the Easter party

Campus Fine Arts Festival

The Campus Fine Arts Festival featured an exhibition of artwork that our children created with the help of a volunteer group fromArtBridges, along with a performance of “Beauty Is a Beast”, a play directed by volunteer Marla Massey as part of her Girl ScoutGold Award project. Marla and the cast and crew worked hard for months to prepare for the stage.

Actors Audrey, Austin, Ashley, Debra,Desmin, Jasmine, Jean Paul, John, Mercedes,Rebekkah, Rhonda, Samantha, and Tanner,along with Marla and her sister Regan, did afantastic job, and technicians Piero and Frank,along with Mr. Matt and Marla's parents,Mark and Shawn Massey, brought the stageand settings to life.

Thank you, Marla, and Massey family helpersMark, Regan, and Shawn, for sharing yourpassion, time, and talents with our children!

Left: A scene from "Beauty Is a Beast"

Our Children Have a Field Day!

During a campus fellowship, children in grades K-12competed in sack races, a relay race, a water balloontoss, a hula hoop pass, and other games. Students ingrades 7-12 took part in the "Bigger and Better Hunt".They searched the campus and the neighboringcommunity for the biggest object they could bringback. Thank you to our neighbors who helped theteams in their search! By the end of the game, teamsbrought back items like a broken widescreen TV, avacuum cleaner, and a living room set creativelyimprovised from a couch frame, a threadbare rug, anda lampshade. Cottages 1 and 3 tied for the first placefor bringing back a refrigerator and an iron air tank!

Scholarship Winner

Congratulations to Luke,winner of a University ofHouston Academic ExcellenceScholarship. We are proud ofyou! Thank you to theUniversity of Houston – and toall of the friends who help ourhigh school graduates to attendcollege or trade school!

Around Campus

Above: The water balloon toss

How You Can Help Our Class of 2008!

We need your help...The second largest class ofhigh seniors in our history is graduating! If youwould like to help ourstudents as they moveinto the next stage oftheir lives, please callElaine Petranek at 281-351-4976 ext. 219.

At our annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon, we honored our volunteers forthe hard work, dedication, love, and time that each one so graciously gives to thisHome and to each one of our children. Thank you to all who attended, and to allof the volunteers who could not be here – but are here for us in so many ways,every day. We could not raise our children without you!

Jennifer Roth, Director of Volunteers and Special Groups, served each attendeewith a helping of “Chicken Soup for the Volunteer Soul", including volunteers(counterclockwise from left) Debbie Blackshear of the Cy-Fair Federal CreditUnion with Mr. Jeremy, houseparent of the Credit Union's sponsored cottage;Kristina Fielder and Cindy Buggs who lead Brownie Troop 16002, with Mr.Malcolm, houseparent of the troop's sponsored cottage; and Gary and Loleda

Kreitz and JennaBurns of theHouston FamilyArts Center, withCampus ActivitiesManager Mr. Matt,who coordinateswith the HoustonFamily Arts Centerfor children'sactivities.

Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon

...and Nails!

Below: The Cy Fair Bear Creek Optimist Clubheld a cookout and a girls night in with anevening of pedicures and decorating flip flops.

Thank You, Volunteers!...For Painting Fences...

Left: Volunteers from the Church ofJesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints inMagnolia gave a new look to a longline of fence along our pasture.

...Benches...

Below left: The Magnolia High School Obadiahgroup gave Spring Festival benches a fresh coat.

Spring Cleaning...and a Homecoming for Dustin!

Dustin Marler (left), and his wife Kelly and sons Cole and Cade, volunteeredwith others from Second Baptist Church in Cypress to clean up the Collegeand Career campus. For Dustin, it was a familiar place – his parents werehouseparents at Boys and Girls Country when he was a child. Dustin, weloved to see you again and meet your family! Thank you to all of our friendsat Second Baptist Cypress!

Backup from Microsoft!

Volunteers from Microsoft gavecottages a coat of fresh paint andcleared up the flower beds! Volunteersalso organized donated computerequipment and made repairs. Theyalso donated a great collection ofvideo games. We are grateful yourtech support!

Right: The UniversityArea Rotary Club and

Duchesne Academyhave teamed twice a

year, every year, tohelp us paint and get

our cottages andcampus looking great.This year, the Rotaract

of River Oaks joinedthem, and we are

grateful for your teameffort!

Left: Members of SecondBaptist Church lent a big handfor the annual Serve Katyemphasis, and brought out ateam to rake the entire campus,tend the flower beds, and get ourcottages sparkling. Thank you!

Thanks to the FluorCommunity InvolvementTeam for coordinating acleaning supply drive, andfor a generouscontribution to our Homefrom Fluor employees!

How You Can Get Involved

Would you like to teach crafts?We need you to teach crafts to ourkids once a week during the summer!We would love to have a group thatcan teach 20 children at a time.

We need your multimedia skills!If you know how to use videographyand audio recording equipment, giveus a call! We are looking forvolunteers who can teach our kids tomake recordings of campus life,including videos of special events andrecordings of our talented youngmusicians!

If you are interested in either of theseopportunities, or would like to helpout in other ways, please contactGeorge O'Neal for further informationat 281-351-4976 ext. 225 or by email [email protected] can also go towww.boysandgirlscountry.org andclick on “Volunteer Now!” to learnabout more opportunities to getinvolved and to fill out an applicationonline.

In Memory OfReceived February 14, 2008 - March 31, 2008

In Honor OfReceived February 14, 2008 - March 31, 2008

Includes gift(s) made to the Boys and Girls Country Endowment Fund

You can make your next tribute gift securely online at www.boysandgirlscountry.org....click on "Donate Now"

Johnnie AberciaGregory NorrisClaire ElizabethAustin

Nan & Charlie AustinMargaret BankerJanette McDonaldProfessors fromGaston College

Agape Class –Tallowood BaptistChurch

Tallowood/RiverBendWednesday BibleStudy

Cherri BoehmeWayne & Alice HodgeChase ConoverWilliam Quayle, Jr.Joan CorderAlbert & JeanettePittman

Betty CordrayMorris & Miriam HallSharon PlumbShirley Wright &Dennis Alexander

Betty Jean EngelkingGeorge CollinsPolly DixonFred & JulieEisenhauer

Clyde & Elodia HoughBill & Cynthia MahonWilliam FranklinErwin, Jr.

Bolivar & MarilynAndrews

Victor FroehlichA.A. BrautigamJimmy & Evva LoweryEleanor GribbleBill & Betty BeardMinnie HughesRyan & JoannePittman

Victor KafkaCharles & LaDonnNelson

Jack & Ann KingCharles & Esther BestI.W. MarksJim & RubyBloodworth

Jack MarshallJim & RubyBloodworth

Neil MeansTom & Patsy PattersonMarcella MitchellW.B. Smith, Jr.Jamie MunozCharles & LaDonnNelson

Ann MurphreyAgape Class –Tallowood BaptistChurch

Carol GunnTom & Jane Liles

Dana OnealBill HawkinsFreddie Outland, Sr.Charles & LaDonnNelson

Richard PlattCal & Millie ReedFernando A. PolaLinda HarknessHenry & Kate PonderLurline EdwardsMother of BethanyPrince

Bill & Betty BeardDoris RyanSam & JudyHiggenbotham

Russell SmithRollie & Susan AndreMr. & Mrs. JohnJackson Marshall

Bret & Nicole Settle &boys

Dennis AlexanderShirley WrightMrs. Joyce Barron –Birthday

Mrs. Donna RiderDrs. Gloria & WileyBiles

Dale & Jan Wagner

Delight Burghart –95th Birthday

Tom & Jane LilesGus & Rhoda Freitag– 60th WeddingAnniversary

Tom & Patsy PattersonDan Healy – BirthdayNan & Charlie Austin

Mary Ellen Lundquist– 70th Birthday

Bunny HalvorsonLucile Marburger –90th Birthday

Edgar & CarolynReeves

Tom & PatsyPatterson – 50th

WeddingAnniversary

Charles & Julia FerrellGene RoarkeAnthony Guntermann

A Vision for Children

You’re invited to take a tour of our Home andlearn more about the children we serve – andhow your support helps us to raise them.Bring only an open heart and a friend. We’dlike to host at least ten people at each of ourupcoming sessions:

You do not need to RSVP, but if you would likefor us to know you’re coming, please go towww.boysandgirlscountry.org and click onRegister Now. You can also find future Visionfor Children dates on the site under “Events”.

Saturday, June 7Saturday, July 19

Saturday, August 9

10:00-11:00 am.

Everyone is welcome!

Don & Jeanette Roff –50th WeddingAnniversary

Tom & Patsy PattersonUniversity RotaryClub

Kathryn HaueisenShirley WrightChris AlexanderBrad Alexander

Sandra StieglerNoel & Betty JonesJune StoneBetty & Noel Jones“Toby”Betty & Noel JonesIrene WaskowDoris O’ReillyJean WheelerDoris O’ReillyTom WheelerLinda HarknessCarolyn WhitsonJohn & Ann IlerOveta & Bill LucyGordon WiebeSara Jane & Cliff FieldsRalph & Patti HockettMary WilliamsBill & Betty BeardHughes ZenorTom & Patsy Patterson

Boys and Girls Country of Houston, Inc.18806 Roberts RoadHockley, Texas 77447

Address Service Requested

NON PROFIT ORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 11163HOUSTON, TEXAS

WISH LISTOur Education Department Needs:Outdoor Field Equipment (Binoculars,Waterproof Shoes and Hiking Boots, RainPonchos, Daypacks)Laminator

Our Clothing Closet Needs:In all sizes, except where indicated:Girls’ and Boys’ No-Show SocksBoys’ and Men’s Boxers and Boxer BriefsBoys’ and Men’s UndershirtsGirls’ and Women’s Bras & Training BrasGirls’ and Women’s Hipster PantiesGirls’ and Boys’ Tennis Shoes

Our Commissary Needs:Fresh Fruits and VegetablesSunscreen & Chapstick with SunscreenCanned Tomatoes (Sauce, Diced, Stewed,Rotel)ChiliBeans (Ranch, Kidney, Black, Refried,Baked)

Our Cottages Need:Knick-Knacks and Wall HangingsKitchen Items (Measuring Cups, CuttingBoards, Cookware, Bakeware, CerealBowls, Plastic Cups and Glasses)

Our Recreation Department Needs:Recording Software for Music and TheaterArts (Protools or Adobe Audition) andUSB Audio Interfaces (2 channelminimum): M-Audio, Edirol or TascamHula Hoops, Jump Ropes, Orange Cones

Our College and Career Dept. Needs:Microwaves2-Slice Toasters

Our Maintenance Department Needs:Conventional Stoves (electric, with twolarge & two small burners)Under-Counter Ice Machines

Visit www.boysandgirlscountry.org andclick on "Donate" for a full list

"I want you to be clean, have air, and be able to hold things."

We are grateful to you for your donations of items on our wish list each season. Yourgenerosity has made it possible for us to provide our children with everything they need asthey grow. Jeff Wood, a friend of our Home, wanted to fulfill Maintenance Departmentwishes. Last year, he donated a Gator Utility Vehicle. This year, Jeff told us that he wantedfor us to "be clean, have air, and be able to hold things"...and accordingly, he donated acommercial washer and dryer set, a portable air compressor, and a vise! Thank you, Jeff,and all of our friends, for making our wishes come true!

Thank you for using our Kroger ShareCard in the past to help our children as you shop! Asof May 1, 2008, Kroger has replaced ShareCards with the new Kroger Neighbor toNeighbor Donation Program. You won’t be able to use a ShareCard anymore, but here’show you can continue to help us as a Kroger shopper:

· Please ask your cashier to scan the barcode below to link your KrogerPlus Card toBoys and Girls Country. Please note that the new program will allow eachhousehold to link a KrogerPlus Card to only one organization.

· Every time you use your KrogerPlus Card, a percentage of your purchase will bedonated to Boys and Girls Country.

· Because you must annually re-link your KrogerPlus Card to Boys and GirlsCountry, keep a copy of the barcode for next spring…or keep an eye on ournewsletter and website (www.boysandgirlscountry.org) next spring for a reprintedbarcode.

· If you would like a wallet-size card with our barcode, please call us at 281-351-4976.

Thank you for all that you do – in all the ways that you give – for our children…and fortaking us along when you shop!

Shopping at Randalls?

Please ask your cashier to link your Randalls Remarkable Card to Organization Number755 so that we will receive 1% of every purchase you make, at no cost to you.

Attention Kroger Shoppers! New Program Replaces ShareCardsSpring Extra

spring extra 2008 newsletter

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