Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito

Dear Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito Family, As you know, we are willing to do whatever it takes to safely remain open and serve our members. We are able to do so because of the incredible support we receive from our members and donors. I am writing to you today to share some of the amazing things our organization has accomplished throughout this pandemic, thanks to you. March of 2020 marked the first time in 55 years that we had to close our doors. The pandemic forced us ...to conduct significant layoffs, and completely redesign our programs so that we could safely reopen to over 1,000 members. We did whatever it took to fulfill our members’ needs. We quickly developed virtual programming for our afterschool programs and RSD Swim Team, virtual lessons for our young Montessori students, virtual music lessons for students in our Youth Arts Academy, virtual workouts and challenges for our athletic programs, and much more, in an effort to ensure our youth had continued mentorship and a home away from home. As the school year approached in September, our youth and families needed us to become Learning Centers for full day care and essential learning support. We started our Back2Clubs Program which safely provides extended learning support, recreation, internet, homework help, art, STEAM projects, tutoring, fun, games, and more. We launched this new programming knowing that we would have to raise $1.5 million just to get through the 20/21 school year. I am beyond proud to report that we recently hit our $1.5 million goal due to the generosity of our donors, a $200,000 matching campaign in September 2020, and strong end-of-year giving from our community! Although we have much to celebrate, we cannot rest just yet as we still have a ways to go, and 2021 carries its own uncertainties. I believe that we will inch our way back to the way things were, but it will take time. We must continue to come out in support of our youth. As we continue to look towards the future, the approaching summer and fall of 2021, we must expand our goal to $2,000,000, as we continue to offer our services at a significant loss. We know that with your continued support we can get there, and we thank you each and every day along the way! We are in this together, and it would not be possible without all of you. Together, we have made an impact and a difference. Marineke Vandervort Chief Executive Officer Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito Make a donation at bgcsandieguito.org/donate/.

Thank you to Ting Internet for sponsoring our 2021 Chip-In-For-Kids Golf Tournament! Under current guidelines, it is currently costing 3x as much to serve 1/3 of the kids we normally serve. Your support of this tournament helps fill that gap and ensures we can continue to offer the necessary financial aid and services to the youth and families who need us most. Learn more about our tournament at bgcsandieguito.org/events/chipin.

Safety is always a priority at The Club. Our annual CPR certification class was moved outdoors this year. The three-hour training held this past December gave up-to-date information and hands-on practice of CPR and first aid protocol to 17 of our employees.

Check out our January e-newsletter! It includes an update from our CEO, Marineke Vandervort.

Congrats to Karla Contillo, our After School Program Staff of the Year! Karla began her journey with The Club 3 years ago when her child enrolled as a member in our after school programs. Since then, Karla has served our organization in whatever capacity was needed. Her positive attitude and love of youth has taken her from Program Leader at our Allred Clubhouse to Teaching Assistant in our Carmel Valley Montessori School, to the current Site Lead for our Polster Clubhouse in Carmel Valley. I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to work within an organization whose members and staff are like family to me and to have the privilege to really make a difference in the lives of our youth.

Congrats to our Rancho San Dieguito Swim Team! On average only 200 club teams out of more than 3,100 nationwide receive medal recognition from USA Swimming, and RSD has placed in the competition every year for the past 10 years. This year marked RSD Swim Team’s advancement to silver medal status.

Today is the last day to give your tax deductible donation! Donate now at bgcSanDieguito.org/donate.

Congrats to Ally Hanlon, our Leadership Staff of the Year! Ally began her BGC journey in 1989 as a member of our Griset Clubhouse after school programs in Encinitas. Her role quickly transitioned to volunteer and teen mentor, to Youth of the Year, to a full time employee. Over the last 24 years Ally’s team attitude and passion for our kids and this community has led her to do every job and learn every trade within our organization. From Program Leader and Front Desk Reception... to Clubhouse Manager, Volunteer Coordinator, Special Events Manager to her current role as Donor Relationship Manager, Ally’s knowledge of, and loyalty to our organization are crucial to the success of our Leadership Team. This organization is my family. Some of the staff here at BGC San Dieguito literally helped shape the person I am today. Twenty years ago, I never imagined I would still be here, but now, I can’t imagine ever being anywhere else.

Life during a pandemic means cancelled activities, disrupted routines, loss of personal connections with peers and trusted adults, and overcoming a range of emotional challenges. As the pandemic continues, we ask the community to step in to ensure that we can continue to administer all of our ESSENTIAL athletics programs that ensure our youth stay active, social and healthy. Donate now at bgcSanDieguito.org/donate. "Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito was a lifesaver this year! I was thrilled for my daughter to have a safe place to do an extracurricular, physical activity that got her out of the house and off her screen! Plus it gave her and her friends something to look forward to each week. Thank you for creating such a safe environment for our kids during COVID!" - The Woelfel family

Congrats to Keegan Ruckdaschel, our Specialty Program Staff of the Year! All three of Keegan’s children swim on our RSD swim team. After seeing how meaningful the program has been to their lives, she was inspired to apply for a position. Since 2019 Keegan has been working for our Aquatics department as a Lifeguard and Administrator. I love working at The Club and for an organization whose main goal is to support our youth and our community at large.

Wishing you a safe Halloween weekend filled with special treats and lots of exciting tricks! This holiday was made for masks!

A pumpkin a day keeps the witches away

Fall Break Camp in Encinitas! Register at bgcSanDieguito.org/registration/griset-branch.

Congrats, Quinn! Read more about Quinn and our 6 other Youth of the Year nominees at bgcsandieguito.org/yoy-candidates-2020.

When girls are supported during adolescence, research shows they can change the world. Our SMART Girls program helps girls build self-esteem, positive relations...hips with others and skills to live healthy. See how Clubs are doing whatever it takes to give every girl a great future. https://bit.ly/34ce7cw See more

Did you know that when Boys & Girls Clubs started, we were only Boys Clubs? 2020 marks the 30th anniversary of officially recognizing girls as Club members and becoming the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. In honor of this milestone and International Day of the Girl, we’re elevating girls and continuing to do whatever it takes to give every girl equal access to a great future.

Thank you to our staff!

Sip on suds with us during our virtual Oktoberfest presented by Fate Therapeutics! We are just 9 days away. Register now at bgcsandieguito.org/events/oktoberfest

Happy National Coaches Day to our incredible Coaching Staff at RSD! Caring, thoughtful, intelligent, committed, hard working, reliable, and inspirational! Thank you for all that you do for our athletes and families!

Our Boos & Ghouls October newsletter is hot off the inbox!

Today is the last day to DOUBLE YOUR DONATION! Help us meet our matching challenge by making a donation now at bgcsandieguito.org/donate.