This year’s Reverse Raffle and Auction: “A Night Under the Giving Tree” was held on February 6th at the Casper Events Center. With over $290,000 being raised to support programs at the club, the evening was a great success and a fun time for those in attendance.

“Wow. Wow is not enough. . . The [BGCCW] rappers were so darn great. They should be proud.” - Debbie Bishop

One of the highlights of this year’s event was the raffle for a 2010 Camaro generously donated by enthusiastic club supporters: Rex & Rhonda Hartford. Twenty-five tickets were sold and $50,000 was raised for the Club. The winning ticket was held by a happy Kent Lundine, owner of High Country Crane Service of Casper.

The Live Auction saw vigorous bidding on popular items such as a vacation to Cabo, Mexico, a beautiful backyard grill/kitchen from Central Landscaping and even an African Safari from Global Sport Safari’s. One of the unique items this year was a fly-fishing trip with former Vice President Dick Cheney at his favorite fishing spot in Jackson Hole.

Attendees were excited to see the many wonderful items available this year in the Silent Auction area. There was a lovely skin care package by Vondi, signed art from Tom Leopp, a framed photograph by Shawn Rivett as well as cameras from Best Buy and pewter motorcycle plaques from Harley Davidson. Everyone enjoyed placing their bids in hopes of winning one of these great items.

“It was a great night…loved the look of the Giving Tree.” Holly Turner

As always, it took the work of many individuals to make this event the great success that it was and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming is deeply grateful for everyone’s hard work and commitment.

 

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming are excited to announce the opening of the new RAC-Room Tech Center in the teen room. Thanks to the generous donation of $5,000 in equipment from Rent-A-Center, the teens have six new computers, three HDTV’s, a Wii and PS3 game systems. A match made of $5,000 by the McMurry Foundation and by supporters at the Reverse Raffle went to the purchase of software, a printer, video cameras, digital cameras, satellite connection, a new floor, computer desks and more.

Image: Opening of Teen Center R.A.C Room with Senator John Barrasso

 

The Grand Opening was an exciting event for the Teens with the ribbon cutting ceremony being performed by Wyoming State Senator John Barrasso. He shared some words of encouragement as well as a plateful of cookies with the teens, after which they raced to use their new computers and video game consoles.

 

 

 

CASPER - The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming (BGCCW) will honor each branch of the military to offer children of reserve, guard, and active duty families free membership to the local clubs in Natrona and Converse Counties. BGCCW supports military families and invites parents/guardians to visit one of the seven Club branches in Mills, Evansville, Casper, Glenrock, and Douglas. Staff will assist in the membership process to give children access to a safe, fun, and positive place.

BGCCW understands that times of national crisis can dramatically disrupt a military family's life, and that’s why it's especially important that these young people be part of an organization that fosters a sense of belonging and understands their needs. BGCCW provides supervised programming by trained development professionals. The Clubs serve a healthy afternoon snack each day and the Casper Greater Branch serves a USDA-approved meal nightly.

Known as "The Positive Place for Kids," the clubs provide guidance-oriented character development programs on a daily basis for children 6-18 years old, conducted by a full-time professional staff. Programs emphasize character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation, and drug and alcohol prevention.

For more information the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming, please call 307-235-5694.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On April 17th the BGCCW Greater Casper branch became the scene of some barnburner boxing as celebrities and amateur boxer alike squared off in the ring in this exciting fundraising event. The event came about as a partnership between the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming and Casper Boxing Club, with the knowledge and passion of Boxing Club owner, Clayton Jennings helping it all fall into place.

The night started off big with six celebrity boxing bouts with match ups between:

Bill “Casper City Brawler” Bauer (Casper Mayor) vs.
Ron “Float Like a Kite Sting Like a Mite Wright
(President of Platte Valley Bank)

Jamie “Lady Raider” Loveall (Meals On Wheels) vs.
Julie “Dragon Lady” McCarthy (BGCCW)

"Marvelous" Mike Wilkinson, (The Foot Doctor) vs.
Mike "The Hit Man" Galovich (President of Bank of Casper)

Becky "Big Smack Attack" MacDonald (President of Bank of the West) vs.
Echo "The Queen of Sting" Bale (President of US Bank)

Mike "Hurricane" Huston (President of First Interstate Bank) vs.
“Joltin” Joe Dvorak (Natrona County School District Superintendant)

Steve "The Real Deal" Freel (Casper Police Department) vs.
Justin "Can't Miss" Smith (Casper Fire Department)

Image: Celebrity Boxers get last minute instruction before entering the ring

 

After the fun and excitement that these bouts brought, boxing fans were ready to see the skills and intensity of the amateur boxers ranging in ages from 8-17 yrs old and coming from all corners of Wyoming. Sixteen bouts were in the line-up and the crowd was very impressed with how great these young competitors performed, causing shouts of encouragement to echo throughout the gym.

BGCCW Teens did a fantastic job lending a hand in the concessions area and were kept hopping all evening serving plates of green chili, beans and rice made by Gloria Jennings as well as the old standbys of hot dogs, soda, popcorn and candy.

This was the first boxing event of its kind to be held at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming Greater Casper Branch. It was an amazing success and everyone looks forward to doing it again in the future.

For more information about Casper Boxing Club contact Clayton Jennings @ 259-0346 or stop in at 4155 Legion Ln #2.

 

 

Laws of Life
This years Laws of Life Awards Banquet was held at the Casper Country Club on April 18th. First place essay winners from high schools around the State were in attendance to be recognized for their achievement and to find out who would be awarded the top three essays in Wyoming. The first place winner this year is Lauren Wilson from Sundance High School with her outstanding essay: The Golden Tickets.

[Excerpt from The Golden Tickets] “I live in a world where giving is for gain, people are stepped on and their needs forgotten for others to attain power or success. I see it in politics, business, schools and the entertainment world. Imagine what would happen if more people gave selflessly of themselves and their resources. There would be less turmoil in the world and almost every negative news headline would vanish. If only we gave: patience to the impatient, love to the brokenhearted, rest to the weary, our time to the hurried, a tolerant listening ear to others’ ideologies, peace to the violent, laughter to the depressed and a warm presence to the lonely. These gifts would change the giver, the given and leave a positive mark on this world.”

Lauren’s essay exemplified the idea of the Laws of Life Essay by examining her own life and exploring the core values that guide her each day.

Image: Lauren Wilson, 1st Place Laws of Life Essay Winner

 

The second place winner is Shaylyn Reichert from Southeast High School and the 3rd place award went to James Shults from Pine Bluffs High School. BGCCW would like to congratulate all of this year’s winners and thank all of the student essay writers along with the wonderful teachers who encourage students to write.

A special thank you goes out to our sponsors whose ongoing belief and commitment in the Laws of Life Essay contest have helped make it a great success.

Thank You: Margo & Larry G. Bean, Zimmerman Foundation and Templeton Foundation

Image: Shaylyn Reichert 2nd Place winner with former Governer Mike Sullivan

 

Image: James Shults, 3rd Place winner