We are about two weeks away from the end of 2017 and this has been a year that simply thanking our supporters is not enough. I wish we could meet face to face with the over 3,100 people, families, corporations and organizations who volunteer, mentor, tutor, provide in-kind services and support financially our clubs and our children. Without your support, we could not serve the more than 3,060 young people we serve as BGCCC members and another 5,000 plus we impact with our outreach programs.
You have supported seven special events throughout the year and multiple funding campaigns from Back to School, North Texas Day of Giving and now our End of the Year Campaign. It cost us over $1,000 for every child we serve, so with over 3,060 children, you can see we have an annual budget exceeding $3 million. This must also cover three branch locations and the operation of 21 buses and vans we use to pick up children and deliver to our clubs each day after school. In addition, all we do every day during the Summer when our clubs are open from 7:00AM-6:00PM.
From our Board of Directors, Associate Board, staff and most importantly the children we serve each day, THANK YOU, for allowing us to serve more and more children each year, who need us the most.
In this issue, you will see how many companies and organizations who have stepped forward with toy programs to ensure each child has a great Christmas. You will see that our club children have reached out to the senior community to help decorate Christmas trees, and the Frisco Sunrise Rotary donated a significant amount that will enable us to add an additional bus in 2018, helping us serve more children.
This time of the year we always hear that it is better to give than receive and you will see how one of our major donors has given an unbelievable amount of money over the past 7 years but his challenges to other supporters has doubled the donation amount. Ken Moraif of Money Matters with Ken Moraif is that person.
When you receive our year end messages and e-mails, we hope you will take a moment to help support our children with that final donation, no matter what amount.
God Bless You and from our BGCCC family to yours we wish you a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Holiday Season and a wonderful 2018.
E. Michael Simpson
CEO