Last Updated: February 24, 2010

Challenge Grant Announced To Benefit
Grenville Baker Boys and Girls Club

• LC Colgate

“It’s not about us…it’s the purpose.” Those were the first words the anonymous benefactor said when discussing the recently announced challenge grant to benefit the Grenville Baker Boys and Girls Club in Locust Valley.
In these times of economic uncertainty, a donor such as this is an angel from heaven for an organization like the GBBGC. For every dollar donation, the donor and spouse will match that dollar up to $100,000.
The donor and spouse have been fortunate to give back more over the years as their financial circumstances increased, and one of their primary focuses has been on teen development. Neither of them grew up in this community but they did raise their children here. They were all active in the club as youngsters; playing basketball, soccer, going to movies, or just spending time with their friends in a safe, well-monitored after-school and weekend environment. Now that their children have moved on to make lives of their own, the donor said that the school buses pulling up outside the club and the happy faces that disembark each afternoon remind us all as to why it is so important to give back so that the GBBGC can continue to move forward.
The generous donor stressed that Locust Valley can be a fragmented area; there are many different communities, both wealthy and less-fortunate, and the Grenville Baker Boys and Girls Club brings them all together. Rich and poor are treated equally and are given opportunities to succeed.
The donor mentioned that the GBBGC teaches the lessons of life all which have been invaluable to local families. There is no cursing at the club, hats must be taken off inside the building, and children learn to deal with adults as teachers, mentors, friends and role models.
In these challenging financial times, GBBGC has lost some grant funding and individual donations are down, but the call for services has increased. The donor said, “We have people in need here. The club is being called upon to do more and we felt that we needed to act now.”
The donor and spouse want the focus of the challenge grant to be on the GBBGC, and not on them, and that is why they have chosen to remain anonymous. They approached the club about setting up the challenge grant as a sign of confidence in the organization and it is their hope that the additional funds raised will support the 2010 Annual Fund.
When discussing fundraising challenges in this turbulent economy, John J. Decristoforo, senior director of development, said that “sometimes our own zip code can be our biggest obstacle.” Many people just assume that the GBBGC is in an affluent community and therefore does not need funding. That is not the case at all. There are many children from single parent households in Locust Valley and often-times, English is not the primary language spoken at home. The club serves a diverse population and there are no demographic restrictions on attendance.
In a letter to supporters and donors, Ramon Reyes, executive director of the GBBGC wrote, “ this exciting opportunity (the challenge grant) could not have come at a better time as we, like many charities, have experienced funding cuts in these critical economic times from corporations, foundations, and government sources, all of which we have relied on for years. “
The donor said, “so much of the world is focused on what is wrong. Let’s focus and appreciate, for a change, on what is right, and what is right, here in this community, is the Grenville Baker Boys and Girls Club. This is a unique place. We are so fortunate to have this community center.”
The Grenville Baker Boys and Girls Club serves almost 2,000 members each year. The average daily attendance is about 200 youngsters. Of those 2,000 members, approximately 8% make a financial contribution and the average yearly gift is $125. The cost to run the club is about $1,100-$1,200 each year, per member, so they clearly need the support of those in the community. Their after-school, evening, weekend and summer programs, for children and young adults, promote social responsibility, educational advancement, character development, healthy lifestyles, leadership potential and the opportunity for fun.
The generosity of this major club supporter is humbling and inspiring. Let us all be grateful for what they are doing for the youth in the Locust Valley community.

 

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