ROCKWALL COUNTY (December 20, 2013) It may have been cold outside, but for those who braved the winter ice storm on December 6th, it was warm and cozy inside the Hilton Dallas Rockwall Lakefront for the Boys and Girls Club’s annual “Angels Among Us” Breakfast.
“While only a little more than 100 people of the 400 individuals who had RSVP’d actually made it out, the event was still considered a great success!” said BGC president and CEO Misti Potter.
The BGC Kids Choir kicked off the morning with several Christmas songs, followed by an inspiring welcome by Rockwall Mayor David Sweet.
BGC Chairman of the Board, Stephen Straughan, presented a brief organizational update.
The kids choir had prepared a special 12 Days of BGC Christmas which required the joint participation of everyone in the room.
“The funniest part of the morning was watching everyone raising various props on cue as the kids sang,” said Straughan.
Kathy Howe, Vice President of Wealth Management for American National Bank, shared her story about the challenges she faced as a child and the role the Club played in the lives of her brothers growing up in some of the roughest areas of Chicago. Kathy’s speech brought to light the importance of having a positive place for all kids to participate and be safe. She also talked about the importance of having role models and what the Boys & Girls Club means to children in need of someone to look up to.
The highlight of the morning came with the announcement of 2013–14 Youth of the Year winner, Caroline Wilson. Caroline is a freshman at Rockwall High School and a seven year member of the Boys & Girls Club. She is the President of the Club leadership program Keystone and has served as a Jr. Staff member.
Caroline delivered a heart-wrenching story of how she lost her best friends to suicide and how she was thankful to have the Boys & Girls Club as her outlet when she needs to talk through problems. Because of her experiences, she has taken on the role of SMART Girls facilitator, a program for girls to openly talk about issues, problems and concerns while following a curriculum focused on self-image, influences in the media, good choices and more.
As a result of being named the 2013-14 Youth of the Year, Caroline received $1,000 in scholarship money from the Brennen Teel Scholarship Fund and Summit Financial.
In addition, the Hilton Dallas Rockwall Lakefront presented Caroline with a beautifully bound and monogrammed journal, along with the presentation of a plaque from Representative Scott Turner and a letter from Senator Robert F. Deuell, M.D.
Potter then thanked sponsors and presented the 2013 Angel Awards. Angel Awards are given annually to individuals, businesses and organizations that make significant contributions of both time and financial resources.
The 2013 Angels included:
- The Henry Group, Inc.
- Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Rockwall
- Outlaunched.com
- Kiwanis of Rockwall
- Soroptimist International Rockwall
- Lake Pointe Health Network
- Jordan, Houser & Flournoy, LLP
- AMICA
- American National Bank
- American National Bank Wealth Management
- BB&T Bank
- Blue Ribbon News
- Brotherhood of St Andrew Chapter at Holy Trinity by the Lake Episcopal Church
- Bryan Pope & Vincent Lopez Serafino Jenevein, P.C.
- City of Fate
- City of Rockwall
- City of Royse City
- Coldwell Bankers
- Ebby Halliday Realty
- Farmers Electric Cooperative
- Hilton Dallas Rockwall Lakefront
- Lakeside Chevrolet & Enterprise Rental Car
- MedTech Construction
- Nestle Corporation
- Planet Rockwall
- Republic Title
- Resourcing Edge
- Rockwall Chamber of Commerce
- Rockwall Women’s League
- Royse City Rotary
- Shenaniganz
- Toyota of Rockwall
Although some were unable to attend, each one received recognition and will later receive a “Thank You” gift on behalf of the kids. For the first time, the event featured an online silent auction component, which was a great success as well. Auctionbycellular from Chicago managed all aspect of the auction, and also provided a professional flair to the Live Auction raising more than $13,000!
The morning wrapped up with what has become a tradition. CEO, Misti Potter began the closing song “Change” by Carrie Underwood, as the Choir took the stage wearing “Change the World, One Child at a Time” shirts. With a standing ovation, one last thank you, Merry Christmas and God Bless you all, the morning ended as everyone ventured out into the cold.
Submitted by the Boys & Girls Club of Rockwall County.
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