Press Release 

For Immediate Release

Contact: Jory Fitzgerald Kelly, Director of Development

Business: 574.259.5666 x 306

Mobile: 574.876.1068

E-Mail: jfitzgerald@fccin.org

Who’s the Greatest Big Kid in Town?

Boys & Girls Club team with adult mentors through Youth of the Year process

April 15, 2011, South Bend  – The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. 

Every year the Boys & Girls Clubs of America reaffirms this mission by celebrating exemplary youth in Clubs across the nation with the Youth of the Year program.  The Youth of the Year journey begins locally when youth, nominated by Club staff and peers, accept the challenge to rise above their circumstances and make positive changes in their lives, Club, and community.

This year the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County are pairing these exceptional teens with adult mentors or GREAT BIG KIDS who will share in the Youth of the Year journey.  Created as a way to foster positive relationships between adults and teens and create advocates for the Club, GREAT BIG KIDS is an opportunity we are truly excited about. 

This new initiative will allow our community’s GREAT BIG KIDS to support the Boys & Girls Club in two ways: as a mentor to a youth member and as an advocate for the Club.  Youth of The Year will be awarded by a panel of judges based on candidates promoting service to Club, community and family; academic success; strong moral character; life goals; and poise and public speaking ability.  The Greatest Big Kid in Town award will go to the mentor who raises the most money in support of Club programming.  Both will be awarded in an event on April 15, 2011.  The Youth of the Year Candidate will go on to represent their Club at a regional competition, and then National.

Great Big Kid candidates will begin fundraising on February 25th, using personal webpages and other social media applications such as twitter and Facebook.  Their pages can be found at GreatBigKid.org.

Great Big Kid candidates:

·         Craig Horvath, University of Notre Dame:  Formerly a major Gifts Officer at Holy Cross College, Craig recently took on a new challenge at the University of Notre Dame Reunion office.  In his spare time, he coaches in the Junior Irish Travel Soccer program, is a board member of the Downtown South Bend Rotary Club, is an active member of C.A.S.E. (Council for Advancement and Support of Education), is a board member of A.F.P. (Association of Fundraising Professionals), is on the Leadership South Bend/Mishawaka class of 36, is a Dream Team mentor for the SBCSC (South Bend Community School Corporation), is on the Crime Stoppers ad-hoc Committee and is a member of the Notre Dame St. Joseph Valley Alumni Club.  In short, Craig has made a commitment to teaching our youth.  With a zest for life and education, Craig is sure to be a wonderful mentor.

·         Aaron Perri, Legends of Notre Dame: Amongst Aaron’s many talents; his commitment to service of his community shines above all.  As a volunteer for Center for the Homeless and On The River Fest (which he co-founded) and Boys & Girls Clubs, Aaron knows that making a strong community begins with making strong kids.  His passion for community and family will be a great asset to the child he mentors.

·         Rick Rice, Teachers Credit Union:  Soon to be retiring as President and CEO of Teachers Credit Union, Rick knows all about hard work.  Under his leadership, TCU became the largest credit union in Indiana and the 51st largest in the nation.  Setting goals and achieving them is one of Rick’s greatest skills, and something he can pass on to members of the Club.

·         Tricia Sloma, WNDU:  Watching Tricia on WNDU morning news is more effective than a cup of coffee; her enthusiasm is infectious.  One-on-one she is as sweet as she is bright.  With two children of her own, Tricia knows the struggles any family shares in raising kids and how important the Club can be to the life of a child.  As a board member for the Public Education Foundation she knows that schools can only provide so much, and that afterschool programs enhance what is taught during the day.  Tricia’s quick wit and power in front of a crowd or camera will lead our youth to create a strong public face.

·         Manette Tepe, Holladay Properties:  Manette is a dynamic powerhouse.  Serving on several community boards, her job as Senior Vice President for Development creates the infrastructure upon which our community builds its wealth.  Manette’s poise and commitment to family will easily be shared with her Youth of the Year candidate.

·         Perry Watson, III, Lexus of Mishawaka:  As owner of a local dealership, Perry knows the value of a dollar. He believes in giving our youth financial education now so they can be responsible adults later.  He is a strong advocate for educating and mentoring young people. He has served as a mentor for the Boys and Girls Club of America, Jack and Jill America and the Urban League of South Bend and St. Joseph County, for which he wrote and taught a youth workshop.  His Youth of the Year Candidate will benefit from Perry’s strong moral character and commitment to youth in our community.

Tickets and sponsorships are still available for the April 15 event at 6:00 pm at Gillespie Conference Center.  Please contact Ashley Farrell at (574) 259-5666 or afarrell@fccin.org for information.

###

For more information about Boys & Girls Clubs, an affiliate of Family & Children’s Center or to schedule an interview with a Great Big Kid, contact Jory Fitzgerald Kelly at (574) 259-5666, ext. 306, or via email at jfitzgerald@fccin.org.

Some Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County programs are funded, in part, by United Way of St. Joseph County.