Annual breakfast recognizes supporters, yields announcements for club’s expansion
(ROCKWALL – December 8, 2012) Hardly an empty seat could be found at the Angels Among Us Breakfast Friday. Community leaders, staff and friends of the Boys & Girls Club of Rockwall County gathered to celebrate the remarkable growth of the club, and to honor the “Angels” who made it possible.
The second annual event raised about $65,000 for the youth development organization through ticket sales, table sponsorships, a live and silent auction, and check presentations, according to CEO Misti Potter.
Attendance more than doubled from the previous year, with 220-plus people filling the ballroom at the Hilton Dallas Rockwall Lakefront, serenaded by the BGC Youth Choir.
Stephen Straughan, BGC-Rockwall Board Chairman, set the stage for the spirited celebration with the invocation and welcome. Billy Quinton served as the entertaining emcee.
Youth of the Year
The event recognized the BGC-Rockwall Youth of the Year: Dobbs Elementary sixth grader Nayely Mendoza and Rockwall High School senior Chris Rivera.
Mendoza and Rivera were selected by a panel of three local judges after undergoing a rigorous application and interview process. Proven leadership skills and strong moral character were prerequisites for the award.
“I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the club,” Mendoza told the crowd.
Rivera said, “Not one single thing can describe the value it holds in my heart. The club has helped me in making decisions that have established a positive foundation for my future.”
Mendoza and Rivera will advance through a series of competitions that culminate at a Congressional Breakfast in Washington, D.C. where the National Youth of the Year winner will be announced and awarded more than $50,000 for college expenses.
Angel Awards
The event also featured the presentation of Angel Awards, recognizing community and corporate partners that have volunteered their time, invested their resources and generously supported the club throughout the year.
Among those honored were AMICA, Bimbo Bakeries, Nestle, City of Rockwall, Hilton Dallas Rockwall Lakefront, Kiwanis Club, MedTech Construction, Toyota of Rockwall, Rockwall ISD, Rockwall Breakfast Rotary, Shenaniganz, Taco Casa, TechCorp Texas, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Rockwall, TrainUp, and Outlaunched.com.
Also recognized was Elite Angel Sponsor Wealth Management Group Investment and Advisory Services at American National Bank.
Distinguished Angels sponsors included Rockwall Economic Development Corporation, American National Bank, BB&T Bank, Coldwell Banker, Farmers Electric, Meals on Wheels Senior Services, Nestle Corporation, Soroptimist International, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Rockwall, and Vincent Lopez Attorneys.
Click to view PHOTO GALLERY.
Special Announcements
Following the awards, BGC Board member Kathy Howe, Director of Wealth Management at American National Bank, took the stage for a special announcement.
“American National Bank and the Wealth Management Group have a decade long partnership with LPL Financial Services,” Howe explained. “They’re a very giving and wonderful company who really gives back – not only to their own community, but they work with their partners to give back to their communities as well. I spoke to them about about the Angels Among Us Breakfast and they graciously donated $10,000 on behalf of American National Bank. “
Also making a special presentation were Ariana Hargrove and Brenda Cross, co-chairs of Rockwall’s inaugural Rubber Duck Regatta. The daylong Duck Fest drew thousands to The Harbor this past September in support of BGC-Rockwall and Meals on Wheels. With the help of the Regatta’s mascot, Flo T Duck, Hargrove and Cross presented a $15,000 check to Potter and BGC-Rockwall.
Capping off the breakfast celebration was the announcement of a generous contribution by the Austin-based Texas Construction Association, to establish the Robert Deuell Performing Arts and Science Center at BGC-Rockwall.
TCA president Raymond Risk and Rockwall City Councilman Dennis Lewis took the stage to make the presentation in honor of Senator Deuell – a former BGC member, longtime supporter of the BGC, and accomplished musician.
Risk explained that the Texas Construction Association, whose board members share a growing fondness for the Boys & Girls Club of Texas, heard about the good work being done at the Rockwall club. “I asked your Rockwall Councilman Dennis Lewis, who happens to be a member of the Texas Construction Association, to stop by the club and see what’s going on. He encountered Misti Potter…and it’s really an encounter,” Risk said, drawing an approving laugh from the crowd. “She is one dynamic lady and you all are so fortunate to have her in this position.”
Lewis took the mic and added that it’s exciting to see the work that the BGC is doing in Rockwall County, pointing out how impressed he is with the two young people who won the Youth of the Year Award. “It’s not easy to get up and talk to a group of people, and they handled it like pros. That’s just further validation of the good work that Misti and the Boys & Girls Club of Rockwall are doing,” Lewis said.
He explained that in an effort to combine a significant need and current programming void at the Boys & Girls Club with the personal interests and skill sets of Senator Deuell, Potter and the BGC-Rockwall identified the opportunity to renovate facility space for performing arts in areas of music, dance, theater, oratory clubs and more. These programs will be implemented and instructed by professionals from throughout each of these industries.
Another area identified for expansion is the BGC’s current Adventure Center – a program where youth have the opportunity to conduct science experiments and learn about many aspects of science in general. This will be taught by paid employees, supplemented by volunteers, for youth ages 6 to 18.
“The Texas Construction Association wants to be a contributor to that program, so it is our honor to present a check to Misti and BGC for the establishment of the Robert Deuell Performing Arts and Science Center at the Boys & Girls Club of Rockwall,” Lewis concluded.
Click to view PHOTO GALLERY.
Written by Dawn Redig, Blue Ribbon News.
To submit your good news and events, email editor@BlueRibbonNews.com.
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