Recognizing the Boys and Girls Club of Douglas

Floor Speech

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Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the tremendous service provided by the Boys and Girls Club of Douglas, WY.

On April 22, 2023, the Boys and Girls Club of Douglas will host its ninth annual Commit to Kids fundraising event. Douglas Mayor Kim Pexton will be the emcee. Former Police Chief Ron Casalenda is the live auctioneer. Esther Martin of Cheyenne, the Wyoming Boys and Girls Club 2023 State Youth of the Year, will also speak.

For over 20 years, the Boys and Girls Club of Douglas has made a positive difference in the lives of children in Converse County. Every day, the Club fulfills its mission ``to inspire all youth, especially those who need us the most.'' The Club strives to help young people reach their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens.

In September 2002, the Boys and Girls Club started meeting at a local primary school. With an increase in membership, they then relocated to the Douglas Roller Skating Rink. The need for a dedicated facility became clear. In 2020, the dream of their own building was realized.

The Club's new facility, located at 802 Riverbend Drive, has over 13,000 square feet. The Club successfully funded the innovative new space primarily with donations and private partnership funds. Designed with the local youth in mind, the building provides a safe, nurturing, and inspiring space to develop and learn. There is also administrative space, a teen center, an arts and crafts area, tech room, game area, a kitchen, and a gymnasium with climbing wall.

The Club serves 300 youth, ages 5-18, by focusing on three priority outcomes: academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. Club members participate in afterschool, summer, and teen programs with academic, career development, character and leadership, sports and recreation, and homeschool curricula. Meals are provided for all members who need them. During the Covid-19 pandemic, many kids fell behind in their schoolwork. With the Club's reading program, students were able to get back on track. Every August, there is no better place to be than the Wyoming State Fair Parade in Douglas. I look forward to seeing the Boys and Girls Club float, along with the bright and engaged faces of its members.

Never losing sight of its values, volunteers, staff, and board members remain dedicated to meeting the needs of children as they grow into young adults. Today, the Club staff and board members include:

Jay Butler, Board Chairman

Travis Wells, Board Vice-Chair

Lindsey Hanks, Board Secretary

Catherine Nicholas, Board Treasurer

Carl Kosters, Board Member

Joe Schell, Board Member

Paige Rider, Board Member

Shawn Wilde, Board Member

Todde Moore, Board Member

Joe Burke, Chief Executive Officer

Robert Ricks, Unit Director

Carrise Moon, Special Programs Coordinator

Amy Lolley, Grants Manager/Marketing Specialist

Amy Rudloff, Bookkeeper

Tania Malone, Office Administrator

Heidi Toone, Kitchen Manager

Brendon Amble, Health & Wellness Specialist

Addy Sexson, Life Skills Specialist

Holly Winters, STEM Specialist

Baylea Senger, Art Specialist

Whitney Tomlinson, Teen & Workforce Specialist

Taylor Ward, Youth Development Professional

Zoey Redfern, Youth Development Professional

Katelynn Hill, Youth Development Professional

Hesston Haskins, Youth Development Professional

A special thank you to board chairman Jay Butler, along with his wife Linda, who provided a matching gift of $100,000 in honor of this event. All funds raised will go to current Club operations.

It is an honor for me to rise in recognition of the great work done by the Boys and Girls Club of Douglas, WY. The Club demonstrates how important it is to invest our time, experience, and resources in the children of our communities. Bobbi joins me in extending our very best wishes.

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