2019 Mid-Year Report

Hendricks Family
Foundation
~Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County Youth of the Year Candidates
The Jeff & Linda
Hendricks Foundation
is proud to support the
Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County
2

Dear Friends,
The first half of the year has been an exciting one, for many reasons. As
a resident of Burlington, and a Board member who has looked forward to
this, the return of our Clubs to the community year-round is monumental.
Because of a strong partnership built over many years, the Burlington-Edison
School District and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County are now
operating a 21st Century Community Learning Center together at Lucille
Umbarger School. Each provides respective expertise to enhance the program
to benefit those youth who need us most.
As my term of President of the Board of Directors winds down, I reflect
on all that has been accomplished with your support. Not only recently,
during my time in a leadership position, but historically. We could not be
as responsive to community need without you. Our Board members take
their representative charge seriously, and to honor what you empower us
to do, we have built additional capacity in our Board through the adoption
of best practices, ensuring organizational transparency, and creating a
succession plan for sustainability.
Tina Asp, owner of Image360 in Burlington, will be our next President of the
Board, effective in January, and has been working toward that transition
with intentionality. We are also fortunate that Rob Martin, Retired Founding
CEO of Chinook Enterprises will follow Tina in 2022-23. We have worked
hard to align our work with the Strategic Plan that was a product of your
feedback and reflections, and this is demonstrated by the succession work
through ‘Strengthen the Organization’. When Leadership is identified and
prepared, it is known to positively impact the mission.
Thank you for being on this journey with us, as we work to provide Great
Futures for kids and teens in our communities, especially those who need
us most, so they may reach their full potential as productive, caring,
responsible citizens.
Respectfully yours,
Holly Shannon
2019 Board Chair
Carson Law Group
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
President
HOLLY SHANNON
Carson Law Group
President-Elect
TINA ASP
Image360
Vice President - Historical
MIKE GUBRUD
Farmers Insurance - Mike Gubrud Agency
Vice President - Succession
ROB MARTIN
Retired - Chinook Enterprises
Past-President-Emeritus
ANNETTE BOOTH
Booth Insurance/Allstate Insurance Co.
Treasurer
ERIC JOHNSON
Stiles Law
Secretary
BRIAN SONEDA
Retired - Library Services / Government
Past-President
MARK LAWRENCE
Simply Yards Landscaping
Members
DR. CARL BRUNER
MVSD Superintendent
PAT BARRETT
Barrett Financial, LTD
KELLY CODLIN
Marathon
MARK NILSON
Retired, Education
SARAH CRIST
Shell Puget Sound Refinery
KRISTEN KELTZ
Hotel Services Group, LLC
MACKENZIE REIDER
Janicki Industries
BILL OVERBY
Skagit Valley College
BRENDEN JONES
Savi Bank
JOSH AXTHELM
Fisher Construction Group
DAN MILFRED
Pacific Woodtech
MIKE DYBERG
Dyberg Aviation
3

What does it take to make an impact,
or make a difference? It takes people. It
takes people willing to take time, to get
involved, and to offer a path forward.
This is what volunteers do.
At the Club, our volunteers create
moments for our kids. They help create
the opportunities, whatever it takes,
to ensure that kid is engaged, gets to
be involved in an exciting program—
whether that is knitting, photography,
woodworking, or computer design—
that a kid sees a great future.
Volunteers are GREAT!
4
The printing & mailing of
this report was donated
by K&H Integrated Print
Solutions.
THANK YOU
TO OUR MANY
VOLUNTEERS!!!
Eli Suffridge
Cabry Biddle
Andrea Martin
Teresa Cardenas
Sophia Pereira
Bonnie Schuh
Karin Wigen
Tamera Brockman
Ashley de Condo
Andrew Rathvon
Keiko McCracken
Jose Ruiz
Stephanie Hooper
Josh Arquitt
Girls Scouts of Western Washington
Callie Shoemaker
Brian Soneda
Alix Baker
Tamara Straub
BEHS Wrestlers
Lucy DeGrace
Dear friends,
In an organization centered on providing Opportunity to the thousands of kids
and teens we serve each year, it can sometimes take a while to see the seeds
planted bear fruit. Opportunity means different things to our various members.
For some, it is as simple as having dinner provided nightly, giving them the
opportunity to eat a healthy, nutritious meal without being concerned about
where it will come from. For others, it is interacting with you, our stakeholders,
in various ways throughout the year—tours at local businesses, games at
events, receiving feedback as they work on their speech and interview skills in
preparation for Youth of the Year, and more.
For one, Opportunity was inspiration. Two summers ago, 45 teens and staff
departed early one Monday morning in August. By the time they returned late
Friday evening, they had visited seven College campuses, including technical
schools, Division I Universities, and regional institutions for higher learning of
various sizes in Washington, Idaho, and Montana. The whirlwind five days also
included a brief stop in Wyoming to see Ol’ Faithful in Yellowstone Park.
I remember when Jazzelle Elias, our 2015 Youth of the Year, came back with
her group to our rallying point while visiting a school in Montana. She declared
she would attend school there. While that was certainly the point of the tour,
it was also surprising. We pointed out the weather and cultural differences,
but her mind was set. Recently, the Teen Director of our Sedro-Woolley Club at
which Jazzelle is a member, had the privilege of presenting Jazzelle with her
Youth of the Year Scholarship of $1,500 at her school’s scholarship night. The
check will go to the University of Montana.
Because of you, a young woman got her start with a short remark at the 2015
Gala. She would go on to win Youth of the Year, credit the program with making
her wholly prepared to enter the workforce and get her first job as soon as she
wanted it, and now, is confident enough to leave her strong safety net and venture
to Montana to pursue her dreams. Because of you, we do whatever it takes
to provide each Club member a pathway to their own #GreatFuture.
Thank you,
Ron McHenry
CEO/Executive Director

IN THIS REPORT
LETTER FROM OUR BOARD PRESIDENT ...3
BOARD OF DIRECTORS ...3
LETTER FROM OUR CEO ...4
THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS ...4-5, 7
THANK YOU EVENT SPONSORS ...15, 17
INVESTING IN LEADERSHIP ...6
PROVIDING OPPORTUNITY: PROGRAMS FOCUS ON
CAREER & LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE ...8-11
BY THE NUMBERS: OPPORTUNITY 2021, OUR
STRATEGIC PLAN ...12-13
GREAT FUTURES GALA: 2019 ...14
S.T.E.M. TOURS OPEN DOORS ...16-17
CONGRATS GRADUATES! ...18-19
MY CLUB HUB ...20-21
PROGRAM SUCCESS BEGINS WITH TRUST ...22-23
A NEW GENERATION OF CLUB ADVOCATES ...24-26
HOPE FOR A GREAT FUTURE ...28-31
KEYS FOR KIDS BUILDS ON SUCCESS ...32-33
CLUBS EXPAND IN BURLINGTON ...34
About the Cover: Art by Manuel C., age 11, Mount Baker Club. We asked Club youth, “What does
OPPORTUNITY mean to you?” “It means a chance to do something,” answered a Mount Vernon
Club Member.
Additional photography by Sarah Arquitt.
Alice Bohnker
David Storey
Eagle Scout Troop 4081
Wanda Rowland
Cookson Beecher
Becky Taft
Steve Sexton
Justin Clingenpeel
Kate Clark
Trey Hatch
Anacortes Police Dept.
Rhonda Tingley
Janine Arp
Victoria Arquitt
Danita Gilbert
Dan Berard
Wayne Barrett
John Guinn
Stacy Moody
Angela Terek
Hugh Dougher
Shell Puget Sound Refinery
Katie Hayton
Lauren Kinderknecht
Kara Symonds
Marta Margutti
Kevin Yarrow
Joscelynn Evans
Nichole Johnston
Liz Smith
Chandler Gange
Mark Lione
Kurt Swanson
Natalie Johnson
Kris Tully
Mike Dyberg
Beth Easterday
Stephanie Morgareidge
Kristia Poppe
Dani Russell
Kohl’s Staff
Sedro-Woolley Police Dept.
Paul Godfrey
Skagit Bank Staff
Sarah Morr
Katherine Olson
Stephanie Thomas
Mary Staley
Mayor Julia Johnson
Emerson Nordmark
Danielle Vincent
Jillian Ross
Dustin South
Samuel Hardesty
Crystal Eddy
Ross Stores Staff
Mark Hagen
Jason Miller
NPSAR
Kristin Schmidt
Jim Lepore
Stephanie Hamilton
Sara Ress
Carrie Cammock
Burlington Police Dept.
Leadership Skagit
Barb Ringhouse
Alyssa Stewart
Bobby Castro
Laura Hendersen
Esteban Barron
continued on page... 6
5

INVESTING IN LEADERSHIP
Leadership development is a key component
to any organization’s sustainable success.
In January 2018, we launched the Emerging
Leaders Program (ELP) to begin the groundwork
of shifting the culture of our workforce to one
that models the idea that “Great Leadership Creates
Great Workplaces Creates Great Club Experiences”.
Starting with ELP, we identify cohorts of staff who participate
in a year-long experience that is a combination
of learning, and on-the-job practicing of the Five
Practices of Exemplary Leadership from The Leadership
Challenge (Kouzes
and Posner). Understanding
that leadership
is everyone’s business,
this year the Mission Support
Leadership team, in
addition to a new cohort
of program staff, completed
the Leadership
Challenge. This helps us
further ensure that leadership
isn’t something we just teach, but something
we live and breathe as an organization.
Our onboarding process includes learning
of our employee’s career goals, so that we
may present learning opportunities and
experiences for staff that would help prepare
them for the next step in their career.
Stretch Assignments: Staff are encouraged to
step outside of their comfort zone. Each site hosts
local Club events, and receives coaching and support
from Mission Support. This requires staff to step
outside of their normal programming role, and for a
brief period of time, provides them with experience
in event planning and coordination. Just one example
of how we encourage staff to push beyond the
limits they have set for themselves.
Mentoring: All ELP graduates have a big role upon
their completion of the program, and that is to serve
as mentors to future
ELP participants. Even
beyond that, they take
on the duty and understanding
that they are
effectively mentors and
role models for all staff
and members. They participate
and give feedback
as guests at ELP
meetings, and provide
guidance to participants when they are given specific
organizational tasks.
According to the Wall Street Journal, some of the
key elements to leadership development are job
rotation, stretch assignments, mentoring and veteran
advice. Here is some of what we do:
Job Rotation: We provide opportunities for Club
staff to assist, collaborate and work with different
Clubs and departments within the organization.
Our onboarding process includes learning of our
employee’s career goals, so that we may present
learning opportunities and experiences for staff that
would help prepare them for the next step in their
career. Club staff are also offered opportunities to
assist in other areas, such as resource development
and operations, as a way to introduce them to different
roles within the organization.
Veteran Advice: In addition to the mentoring,
graduates of ELP are provided mentors from the
organization’s Board of Directors. Board members
are diverse in their skill sets and accomplishments,
from educators to business CEOs, and everything
in-between. Their years of experience in their
respective fields has proven to be invaluable as
they work with our young staff who are navigating
through the early years of their life.
Investing in leadership is a necessity as we are
shaping the leaders of tomorrow. We want our Club
members to thrive and have great futures as leaders.
One of the best ways to instill that in them is to
do so through our staff. This is how we become an
organization of excellence.
6

Volunteers continued...
Christine Johnson
Kirk Hamilton
Beth Bishop
Katelynn Long
Brenda Harter
Dave Courtney
Mariah Garofalo
Ross Roberts
Jack McKee
Miranda Morris
Kelly Reep
Walmart Staff
Dean Harrington
Madeline Handzsilk
Foresters of Skagit County
Naomi Tataran
Steve Hoglund
Mount Vernon Police Dept.
Silvia Reed
Melissa Dougher
Laura Riquelme
GAP Stores Staff
Leanne Wiseman
Old Navy Staff
Nike Outlet Volunteers
SaviBank Staff
Rozwin Liera
Tim Schmidt
Debby & Charley Short
Raushel Shepherd
Patricia Dunn
Josh Anderson
Ericka Catubo
Korey Hansen
Lisa Janicki
Erma Baude
Kevin Jones
David Bishop
Alexander Cardenas
Kay Davis
George Santino
Keith Magee
Jerry Timblin
Annette Booth
Planet Fitness Staff
Lori Timblin
Rob Martin
Christian Case
Meredith Baker
Nels Strandberg
Holly Shannon
Alisha Sylvester
Edgar Serrano
Pam Davis
Helena Schlegel
Anacortes Fire Dept.
Carole Straathof
Debbie Pedersen
Tom & Pam Allen
Robyn Tokunaga
Sedro-Woolley Fire Dept.
Brian Poppe
Mount Vernon Fire Dept.
Burlington Fire Dept.
Marine Corp League
Skagit Valley Det. 1043
Justin Winslow
Nancy Gentry
Tasha Tucker
Peter Cisneros
Barb Thompson
7

8
Mount Vernon Keystone Club members help out at the Kiwanis Salmon BBQ (top and bottom right). Skagit County Superior Court Judge Laura
Riquelme with Teen members of the Sedro-Woolley Club for Career Launch (bottom left). Holly Shannon, of Carson Law Group and BGCS Board
President, shares for Career Launch at the Sedro-Woolley Teen Center (middle right).

PROVIDING
OPPORTUNITY:
PROGRAMS FOCUS ON CAREER & LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
Boys & Girls Clubs are at the core of doing whatever
it takes to provide our youth with opportunity.
The Club is much more than just a
place for youth to go to after school. Through
our Clubs’ Mission and Formula for Impact, we are
reaching the young people that need us most, providing
them with an outcome-driven Club experience
through regular attendance, high-yield activities, targeted
programs, and our five key elements: safety,
fun, supportive relationships, opportunity, & recognition.
This allows youth ultimately to reach our priority
outcomes of Academic Success, Healthy Lifestyles,
and Good Character & Citizenship. When it comes to
career-readiness and helping youth to not only dream
big, but to realize their dreams of a great future, it
takes all of these components to reach success.
The training showed. “When I arrived at the
Club, I was greeted immediately by a friendly
Club member who offered his hand, smiled
and looked me in the eye, ‘Hi, I’m Devin,
welcome to the Club.’”
TEEN CAREER PREP
The Teen Career Prep program offers a stepping stone
for youth to begin in the workforce. A common conundrum,
one needs experience to get a job, but one
needs a job to get experience. Patrick Dougher, Teen
Coordinator at the Sedro-Woolley Club expects Club
members to treat the experience like a real job. Patrick
preps them for success with fun games like “Mad Lib
Resumes,” and a “How to Properly Offer a Hand-Shake”
session. The training showed. “When I arrived at the
Club, I was greeted immediately by a friendly Club
member who offered his hand, smiled and looked me
in the eye, ‘Hi, I’m Devin, welcome to the Club,’” said
Tammy Findlay, Director of Marketing and Stewardship,
on a recent visit to the Teen Center.
An application must be filled out before the deadline,
and each selected applicant is interviewed for the position.
Patrick recently had 8 teens apply for this summer.
Each volunteer job shadows a Club staff member and
will help with meal preparation, STEM programs, outside
games, and field trips. It’s a great opportunity for
the teen volunteers because they get to attend during
the summer, and gain experience that will help their
resume and college applications.
KEYSTONE CLUB: A CLUB
WITHIN THE CLUB
Our Club youth love to take charge. Part of the appeal
of Clubs is that youth get to decide what they’d like to
do. When they come to the Club, there are a variety
of activities to choose from. Additionally, Clubs provide
them with an opportunity to have a voice and lead.
Keystone Club is designed to provide leadership development
opportunities for our teen members. Youth
participate in activities in three focus areas: academic
success, career preparation, and community service.
They elect their own officers and come up with goals to
better their community. With the guidance of an adult
advisor, Keystone Clubs aim to have a positive impact
on members, the Club, and community.
The Mount Vernon Keystone Club members completed
a toy drive last December to benefit the Skagit Valley
Herald Christmas Fund. They are currently voting on
their next fundraising benefit. One of the ways they
raise their own funds is through their Snack Shack,
where they bake goods, using the Club’s kitchen, to
then sell to the community. Sedro-Woolley Keystone
members were already discussing plans for fall fund-
continued on page... 11
9

10
Sedro-Woolley Teen Director Patrick Dougher, discusses upcoming plans with the Keystone Club (top). Mount Vernon Keystone members celebrate together
with an ice skating trip (middle left). A Mount Vernon Keystone member creates baked goods to raise money for their upcoming community service
projects (middle right). Mount Baker Club members pose with Tina Asp, owner of Image360 & BGCS Board Vice President, during Career Launch (bottom).

aising with a supplies drive for the Oasis Teen Center.
“I’m pretty sure chocolate is nonperishable!” exclaimed
a member. These members also made big plans for
their summer Family Nights where they talked about
a scavenger hunt, water balloon toss, and great food,
like grilled cheese and pancakes. They also discussed
helping out at the Annual Eagles Car Show and 4th of
July BBQ Fundraisers which directly benefit the Clubs’
Teen Center.
Keystone members can attend the Washington State
Keystone Summit in the fall where members from all
Washington Clubs will gather to socialize with peers,
explore relevant issues, and develop skills to support
and enhance efforts in their local Boys & Girls Clubs
and communities.
“Having grown up in Sedro-Woolley it is
important to me to share my career journey
to becoming a lawyer with our Club members.
I am passionate about my career and in
sharing I hope to inspire our Club members
to follow their dreams on whatever that path
looks like for them...”
CAREER LAUNCH
Inviting career professionals to the Club to share
their experience is a very effective way to help youth
visualize their future. Professionals in the field can
introduce youth to career avenues they might not
otherwise have considered. Through their candor
and honesty, these mentors can help youth prepare
for the real life challenges they might face
on their career journey. In the last six months, Club
members were visited by a myriad of professionals
in many exciting fields; a refinery operator, a nurse,
a lawyer, an entrepreneur, a judge, an author, an
outreach coordinator, a substation wire-man, and a
park ranger!
Retired Park Ranger, Hugh Dougher who is still
active in Search & Rescue, both as a volunteer and
as an educator, visited the Sedro-Woolley Teens
and brought along some of the equipment used in
search and rescue: an ice axe (dulled for safety),
crampons and carabiners for climbing, helmet and
harness, radio for communication—and his favorite
toy, a drone used for aerial searching. With teens
currently learning to pilot drones through our STEM
programming, it was helpful for them to tie their
knowledge of drones to a real world application.
Holly Shannon, current Clubs’ Board President &
Lawyer with Carson Law Group is a frequent Career
Launch guest at many of our Clubs. “Having grown
up in Sedro-Woolley it is important to me to share my
career journey to becoming a lawyer with our Club
members. I am passionate about my career and in
sharing, I hope to inspire our Club members to follow
their dreams on whatever that path looks like for
them. The best part about Career Launch, for me, is
answering the insightful and imaginative questions
not only about my job but about how I got here and
why I do what I do. At the same time I get to share
with our Club members my passion for volunteering
and why I serve on the Board of Directors.”
As part of the Career Launch program, Club members
at Mount Baker Boys & Girls Club have been
participating in a new curriculum focusing on youth
exploring aspects of becoming an entrepreneur.
They were visited by one of Skagit Valley’s very own
entrepreneurs, Tina Asp. Tina together with her husband,
Anthony, founded Image360, a full service
graphics and signage firm in Burlington, WA. Tina
Asp also serves on the Club’s Board of Directors.
Tina shared about her journey of founding her own
business, her favorite things about being an entrepreneur,
and some of the technical aspects of making
a business successful. Afterwards, youth had the
opportunity to ask questions and share reflections.
These programs, among others, are designed to
introduce our youth to a wealth of opportunities,
ideally putting them in a position to match their natural
talents and passions to an educational and/or
career path that will best serve them and their community.
With the right balance of fun, challenges,
and responsibility, along with trust, guidance, and
mentorship, these experiences can open the eyes
of our youth and generate excitement about their
future possibilities.
11

OUR STRATEGIC PLAN
Adopted in 2018, “Opportunity 2021” provides a framework of focus for aligning priorities with
specific objectives. The development of this strategic plan included many stakeholder groups
and input from the Board and staff. Once the primary goals and objectives were drafted, staff
worked to develop indicators which could be tracked directly related to “Opportunity 2021”.
With the first year of work completed, progress or challenges can easily be identified.
Priority 1: Reach More Youth
With the opening of the Concrete Boys & Girls Club sites at the end of 2018, which was not
originally anticipated, the total goal for 2020 was reached at 18,000 sq ft of dedicated space
for Club Use. This metric and goal will likely be updated at the December Board Retreat, to
ensure stretch goals remain so more youth are reached. The initiative that resulted in the
Concrete Club starting also realized early goals set for the end of 2019 in the numbers of new
youth served. More recently, a new Club program in Burlington will further advance this number,
so a similar review will occur.
Priority 2: Increase Program Quality
Big wins in this priority area include reaching all 2018 metrics set forth and in many cases
beating them. The organization is on pace to provide at least 3 Assessments per Site this
year, which positively impacts our commitment to a Continuous Program Quality Improvement
Cycle. This year, there is a big increase needed to reach goals set forth for staff training in
Basics and Methods, but leadership is confident these goals will be met.
Priority 3: Strengthen the Organization
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County takes pride in continuing to prioritize professional
development for staff and volunteers. This is important to ensure adaptability to the changing
needs of kids and teens served, but also to ensure the organization is being as efficient
as possible and providing appropriate stewardship of community resources. The desire to
increase external training opportunities to middle managers and front-line staff is both to
improve program quality, but also strengthen the organization. When people feel invested in,
they are more likely to stay longer—of significant importance from the hard cost point of view
of turnover, but also the cost of a relationship of a supportive adult in the life of a Club member.
Focusing on increasing the number of people who come through our doors and participate in
Club Tours provides our youth with opportunities to engage with the public, gain confidence,
and develop speaking skills, but also to inform stakeholders as to the incredibly complex
strategies being implemented each day to further the positive outcomes of Club members.
Through increased participation and advocacy, more people are likely to become aware of
how resources can change lives, and share their stories which will ultimately benefit those
served. While the 2018 goal was reached, this is an area that needs significant work to reach
ambitious goals set for 2019 and beyond.
12

2018 Goal Progress to-date 2021 Goal
20%
26%
BY THE NUMBERS:
Opportunity 2021
Reach More Youth
14,430 18,000 21,500
Increase Sq. Ft of Dedicated Club Space
Increase Program Quality
45.4% 100%
% of Program Staff Trained in Basics
10% 22.7% 35%
% of Program Staff Trained in Methods
1 1 2
Number of Assessments Conducted per Site
Strengthen the Organization
34% 50%
% of non-Admin Staff attending Training outside of Skagit County (1+ Yr Emp.)
30 42 500
# of Club Tours for first-time attendees
13

GREAT FUTURES GALA: 2019
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County is
incredibly grateful for the generosity of
our community and stakeholders. Without
your support, Clubs couldn’t take some
chances to grow the organization. One calculated
risk was when the Board of Directors spent
nearly a year determining the future of the major
fundraising event held each Fall.
Traditionally a Dinner and Auction, the event was
in need of a refresh, and as the organization has
demonstrated in other areas, something unique
that would provide a wonderful guest experience.
A Legacy Gift from the Estate of Jack Gubrud,
a founding Board member and long-time supporter
and advocate for the Clubs, provided a
safety net to try something new. With the Gubrud
family affirming the decision as a wonderful way
to honor the memory of Jack, the plan was put
into action.
Each year since, staff and Board members, and
the very dedicated Great Futures Gala Committee
has set out to provide an event that is centered
on the mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs
—to enable all young people, especially those
who need us most, to reach their full potential as
productive, caring, responsible citizens. Interacting
with our kids and teens while participating in
various games during the Social Hour has been
a favored highlight, as well as the jovial, philanthropic
atmosphere. As the event expanded,
a new venue was sought out, and Skagit Clubs
were honored to be invited into Corporate Air
Center by Tim Lewis and his team. The results
and outcomes are tremendous, and plans are
underway to level up again this year.
Currently, Club Staff are finalizing details to welcome
Spud Webb, the legendary pro basketball
player known as the shortest in history to win a
Slam Dunk Contest. At 5’7” one might consider
him diminutive, but his character and dedication
to advocating for other Club kids are unmatched.
For him, it’s personal, having grown up in poverty
in Dallas, TX, and attending the Boys Club. Look
to the Skagit Clubs Facebook page for updates
and confirmation of the celebrity speaker, as well
as other information for the 2019 Great Futures
Gala. Last year was a sell-out, so you won’t want
to miss this special opportunity which could feature
a few surprises as well.
14

THANK YOU
TO OUR EVENT
SPONSORS!
2019 YOUTH OF THE YEAR:
Dinner with Friends Keystone Sponsor
Hendricks Family Foundation
Leadership Sponsors
Draper Valley Farms
Pestarino Family
Skagit Valley College
Program Sponsors
Trident Seafoods
Eaglemont Golf Course
Cascade DAFO Prosthetics & Orthotics
2019 SEDRO-WOOLLEY
WINTER FUNDRAISER:
Royal Title Sponsor
Dwayne Lane’s North Cascade Ford
Join the Heritage Club
The Heritage Club is an association of friends of Boys
& Girls Clubs from all across the country. Like you,
these people seek to ensure that the future needs of
our nation’s youth are met by including their local
Boys & Girls Clubs in their estate plans. This planning
might include a will, charitable gift annuity, a trust
arrangement, a real estate gift, or a life insurance policy.
Your support through a planned gift will ensure
that future generations of our children will have
the opportunity to live successful lives in a safe,
positive and caring environment.
Joining The Heritage Club is easy! Simply
communicate your intentions by printing, signing
and returning the enrollment form available at
www.clubgift.org
or contact Ian Faley at
ifaley@skagitclubs.org or 360-419-3723 x7.
2019 ANNUAL BREAKFAST:
Title Sponsor
Trico Companies, LLC
Keystone Sponsor
K&H Integrated Print Solutions
Torch Sponsor
Skagit Transportation
Logistics Sponsor
Bayside Specialties
2019 ANACORTES BREAKFAST:
Title Sponsor
Kiwanis Sunrisers Anacortes
Torch Sponsors
Soroptimist International of Anacortes
Anacortes Noon Kiwanis Club
RIS Insurance Services
Cap Sante Inn
Anacortes Rotary Club
Strandberg Construction
2019 KEYS FOR KIDS:
Grand Piano Title Sponsor
Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Baby Grand Sponsor
Dwayne Lane’s Skagit Subaru
Full Staff Sponsors
The Drain Doctor
Stepping Stones Garden
Key Sponsors
Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro
La Conner Seafood & Prime Rib House
Major Chord Sponsors
Carson Law Group
Express Employment Professionals
Candlewood Suites
2018 GOLF TOURNAMENT:
Title Sponsor
Blade Chevrolet
Dinner Sponsor
Chad Fisher Construction
Lunch Sponsor
Judd & Black Appliance
continued on page... 17
15

S.T.E.M. TOURS
OPEN DOORS
Tom Thomson, CEO of VT Volant, shows a group of teens that dreams of
pursuing a career in aviation could be a reality.
For the 2018-2019 school year, members
from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit
County have been learning about careers
in aviation.
Through the course
of the year, members
have visited the Burlington
airport, learned
about historic planes,
toured Everett Community
College, and have
performed experiments
that helped them learn about flight. Recently,
members from the Mount Baker and Sedro-Woolley
Clubs visited VT Volant Aerospace.
As soon as Shaun heard the word
“aerospace” mentioned while the
field trip was being introduced, he
perked up and took a permission slip.
VT Volant Aerospace creates custom airplane
interiors. They service planes for both major
commercial airlines and for smaller private companies.
During the tour, Tom Thompson, CEO of
VT Volant, escorted the teens through the manufacturing
floor. The youth saw overhead compartments,
lavatories,
seats, and the wide
array of tools that VT
Volant uses to create
custom constructions,
including a massive
machine used to cut
composite board. In
addition to the tour,
Tom Thompson arranged for multiple employees
to describe their jobs to the teens and also
encouraged one of his employees to show the
kids a state of the art 3D scanner.
Shaun, a 8th grade student at Mount Baker Middle
School, was recently recognized for his proficiency in
16

STEM by his school. In the Clubs, he greatly enjoys any opportunities
to build with Lego Robotics or fly drones. He loves everything about
planes, and one day he hopes to become an aerospace engineer.
He often creates plane models out of the materials available to him
like Legos or paper and talks about pitch, roll, and yaw—the possible
directions an airplane can move—with his peers.
As soon as Shaun heard the word “aerospace” mentioned while the
field trip was being introduced, he perked up and took a permission
slip. Shaun was absent on the day the permission slip was due for the
VT Volant trip. However, he made sure to send his permission slip to
the Club with a friend.
During the trip, Thompson asked the teens, “What do engineers
do?” Shaun answered immediately, “They design and build things.”
Throughout the field trip, Shaun listened carefully to each guest and
saw several aspects of engineering and airplane manufacturing
which were new to him.
Field trips are an amazing opportunity to connect youth with local
businesses. Workforce development is a primary goal of the Boys &
Girls Clubs of Skagit County, and an increased number of field trips
is part of the Clubs’ strategic plan for growth. Through field trips,
youth are inspired by seeing potential careers in their community. For
Shaun, the trip to VT Volant Aerospace is an opportunity unique to the
Clubs for him to better plan his future.
Sponsors continued...
Driving Range Sponsor
Swinomish Casino & Lodge
Contest Sponsors
Mike Gubrud – Farmers Insurance
Lakeside Industries
Heritage Bank
Skagit Transportation
Janicki Industries
Beverage Cart Sponsors
The Plumbing Guys
Corion Landscape Management
Snack Cart Sponsors
Barrett Financial Community Caring Project
SaviBank
Hole Sponsors
Pacific WoodTech
Land Title & Escrow
IBEW Local 191
Tee & Green Sponsors
The Drain Doctor
Scholten’s Equipment
Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro
Rallye Auto Sales
Skagit County Public School Superintendents
WAFD Insurance Group
Car Care Clinic Gateway Transmissions, Inc
Central Moving & Storage
Louis Auto Glass
Blue Lake Property Management
Banner Bank
Bob’s Burgers & Brew
ServiceMaster Cleaning by Roth
Mexico Cafe
Skagit Valley Marine Corps League
Smiley Insurance Services Corporation
Farmstrong Brewing
State Farm—Brad Methner, Carol Lawson,
Keith Sorestad
2018 GREAT FUTURES GALA:
Title Sponsor
Dreamchasers RV
Premier Sponsor
Marathon Petroleum Corporation
VIP Sponsor
Corporate Air Center
Gold Sponsors
Jack Gubrud Memorial Fund
Mike & Dianne Crawford
CPI Plumbing & Heating
Silver Sponsors
Image360
Louis Auto Glass
K&H Integrated Printing
Strandberg Construction
DeWaard & Bode
Bronze Sponsors
Shell Puget Sound Refinery
Samish Indian Nation
Judd & Black Appliance
Birch Equipment Rental & Sales
Fisher Construction Group
Skagit Regional Health
Columbia Distributing
Pacific Woodtech
Barrett Financial Community Caring Project
Skagit Bank
La Conner Seafood & Prime Rib
Carl’s Towing
17

18
CONGRATS GRADUATES!
We had several Club members and past Club members graduate this year and were able to capture some in
the moment of their post-graduation jubilation.

Opposite page, top left to right: Nickalaus S. with Kody P., Connor D. donning his sister Katie D.’s graduation cap,
Shaely S.. Bottom left to right: Club Staff Keith Klingensmith, Ashleigh C., Patrick S.
This page, top left to right: Kindred G., Carman C., Kavin P.
Bottom left to right: Logan L., Adriana T., Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County’s Youth of the Year Kyla W..
19

MyClubHub
Boys & Girls Clubs across the country have
been leaders for many years in being
data-informed organizations. In tracking
everything from attendance to demographics,
program participation and outcomes, and
behavior incidences and responses, having this
data in a centralized system provides staff with tools
to be best equipped to
serve those youth who
need the Clubs most.
The Boys & Girls Clubs
of Skagit County, along
with just over half of all
other Clubs, use a system
called VisionMTS
(Member Tracking System).
In use for more
than a decade, it has been a staple of a series of
platforms used to implement best-practice youth
development strategies. There are two other systems
which have a significant number of Club organizations
using them, and a few more that are truly
specialized for the Clubs served.
After several years of this journey, the Boys
& Girls Clubs of Skagit County is excited to
announce they will be an early adopter of
the system, which is now a comprehensive
Club management system, MyClubHub.
In December 2016, after hearing from local Club
organizations for many years about the need for
an upgraded system that better reflects current
and future needs, Boys & Girls Clubs of America
announced they were embarking on a new venture
to facilitate the creation of a common member
management system. Not long after, Boys & Girls
Clubs of Skagit County
CEO Ron McHenry was
asked to serve on a
small working group of
24 local Club professionals
from all over the
country, to participate in
the building and rollout
of this new system.
During the first few meetings, it was becoming
clear that the project was going to be much greater
than anyone originally anticipated, and at the first
retreat of the full group in 2017, it was decided
that to truly benefit Clubs and strengthen the local
organization to best serve their communities, mul-
20

tiple systems should be integrated. Not only would
this simplify the process of training and different
departments using different software programs
that did not integrate, it could also lessen soft and
hard costs overall.
After several years of this journey, the Boys & Girls
Clubs of Skagit County is excited to announce they
will be an early adopter of the system, which is
now a comprehensive Club management system,
MyClubHub. Local Club staff have spent the last few
months working to clean up current data, as well
as refining policies and procedures related to data
entry and security, and when the system goes live,
all elements of Club operations will exist within one
secure system.
“This system is much more user-friendly and intuitive
in general and will meet our current needs,”
says McHenry. “But it’s all the things we currently
don’t have the ability to do or do well, that I’m
most excited about.” Through full integration, a
Club member becomes a volunteer who may also
become a staff member, and later, a donor. Despite
operating for more than 20 years, there is no way
to track Alumni directly, nor their outcomes. That
can all change with MyClubHub. Parents can monitor
attendance and program participation directly,
complete all necessary functions and acknowledgments
from a special online parent-portal, and see
the direct value community investment provides
for their families. Donors and investors can access
their giving history in real time, register for events,
and even create pledges and make payments.
More information on MyClubHub is coming soon,
and the organization anticipates a full transition to
the new system between September and December
of this year. It was a long time coming and
seemed to be an eternity before it came to fruition,
but this will be a game changer for the Boys
& Girls Club movement, and the Boys & Girls Clubs
of Skagit County is proud to have played a role in
furthering this work.

PROGRAM SUCCESS
BEGINS WITH TRUST
Clubs were brand new to this community less than a year ago. Youth are now beginning to rely on the routine
support that Club staff provide, leading to improved grades, increased focus, and regular attendance.
The Concrete Boys & Girls Club opened on
October 1st, 2018 through funding provided
by a 21st Century Community Learning
Grant. Since opening their doors, a major
goal was to improve the academic success for
attending youth by providing a safe space to do
homework and to explore new ways of learning.
Yet, all the tools in the world won’t help a youth
succeed if they don’t have supportive adults in
their lives. The staff of the Concrete Boys & Girls
Club wanted to show youth that they do care and
strive every day to create meaningful relationships
with Club members.
At the Concrete Club’s Middle School Site, staff
began by learning the name of each youth, and
used a friendly demeanor rather than being overly
authoritative or forcing youth to do an activity. “We
believe that treating the youth with respect and
kindness will help the youth see as us as partners
in their education,” explained Program Specialist,
Bryer Button. Programs at the Club are choice-based
and depending on the number in attendance after
school, there are a number of options for youth to
choose from. However, there is a strong emphasis
on Power Hour, a program that focuses on getting
homework in on time, completing missing assignments,
and reading. If a member doesn’t have
homework, there are a number of educational—
focused activities they can participate in. Club staff
create incentives for them to participate in Power
Hour, like Friday parties, computer time, movies,
prizes, and special field trips.
Sometimes the youth have bad days. Many have
adult responsibilities and it becomes difficult for
them to focus on Algebra or History. “On days like
that, we don’t push them to be involved in the learning
process, instead, we give them space to think
22

“Many youth, who at first saw us as
untrustworthy, have come back to us, shared
their experiences, and asked for our opinions.”
This is the kind of experience that encourages
a youth to keep coming back to the Club.
and process through their emotions. We always
ask the youth how they are doing, listen to them
non-judgmentally, and give reassurance.” Button
explains that trust is built this way, and as a result
a Club member may be more apt to participate
in programs. “Many youth, who at first saw us as
untrustworthy, have come back to us, shared their
experiences, and asked for our opinions.” This is the
kind of experience that encourages a youth to keep
coming back to the Club.
Building relationships was the first step to build great
futures for the Concrete youth. As the youth began
to trust staff, they began to expand their horizons.
Last February, the Concrete Club organized a College
and Career Fair for the youth, spearheaded by
the Middle School Site Coordinator, Cheryl Weston.
The Concrete School District hadn’t had a college
and career fair for six years. Weston contacted over
100 Pacific Northwest companies, and the school
and a local church donated hundreds of supplies.
Escorted by their teachers, youth were able to
attend during class hours and had a chance to walk
around and ask questions from over 35 vendors.
The vendors included branches of the military, local
colleges and universities, trade schools, and jobs in
agricultural, transportation, fish & wildlife, and the
forestry services. The fair was so popular they made
a decision to stay open longer, and some youth
went back to visit after school as well.
The College and Career Fair is just one example of
how Club Staff have encouraged Concrete youth
to think about their futures. “Here in the Concrete
community, adult engagement is lacking for many
youth. As a result, our kids have a hard time trusting
adults. But when the members at our Clubs can
open up and discuss their futures, it means we’ve
connected with them. It means that they believe
that we care about them, and they care about us
and are listening,” says Button. Once these relationships
are in place, we can raise the bar on youth
engagement in our Clubs, in schools, and in their
lives. Our Boys & Girls Clubs are not just a place
to catch up on homework, but a community of
support for our members to achieve academic success,
healthy lifestyles, and good character & citizenship—and,
of course, great futures.
23

A NEW GENERATION OF
CLUB ADVOCATES
I
walked into the Club five years ago just needing
a place to go after school. I assumed that all
the kids would ask what had happened to me
because I favor my right side when I walk. But,
walking around the Club
on my first day, no one
asked about my disability.
From then on, the
Club became a place
where I gained new
friends and let people
see who I am as a person.
The Club supported
me by never treating me
as though I was different, they looked at me like I
was the same as all my peers. And, through their
help, I have had opportunities to serve my community,
grown substantially through the Youth of the
Year process, and gained the skills needed to be a
staff member at my Club.
I am honored to represent the Anacortes Club and
Skagit County as Youth of the Year. The process
to become Youth of the Year was a roller-coaster.
by Kyla Whiton, 2019 Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County Youth of the Year
Youth of the Year, Kyla Whiton currently works part time at the Anacortes Club as a Youth
Development Professional. Recently graduated from Anacortes High School, she looks
forward to college and continuing to enrich Programs at the Clubs.
For me, I recognize that the young people who
need us most include youth with disabilities.
And, from my experience, I know that the
Clubs can be successful in enabling and
empowering them to reach their full potential.
With my mentor, we moved from the Anacortes
Club competition, to the county competition, and
finally competed at the state competition. With
each success, I learned new foundations of essay
writing, public speaking,
and interviewing that will
help me in my future.
While the opportunity to
compete and win scholarships
has been exciting,
my goal as Youth
of the Year has always
lined up with the mission
of the Boys & Girls Clubs:
to enable all young people, especially those who
need us most, to reach their full potential as caring,
responsible, and productive citizens. For me, I
recognize that the young people who need us most
include youth with disabilities. And, from my experience,
I know that the Clubs can be successful in
enabling and empowering them to reach their full
potential. I am currently exploring my potential as a
staff at the Clubs.
24

I get to learn with an amazing group of Club
staff who are all very inviting and want to
hear things that are happening in my life.
From my experiences as a younger member,
I know that being inviting as a staff can be
the greatest encouragement to youth who are
afraid of not being accepted.
As a staff, the kids look up to me and I have inspired
many of them to work hard to succeed. They have
seen me approach Youth of the Year as something
that is really enjoyable with great experiences, and
they want to be like me in the sense that they want
to do Youth of the Year. I show kids that even though
I have a disability that I am going out into my community
and doing things that people would think
I would not be able to do. In addition to inspiring
youth, I get to learn with an amazing group of Club
staff who are all very inviting and want to hear things
that are happening in my life. From my experiences
as a younger member, I know that being inviting as
a staff can be the greatest encouragement to youth
who are afraid of not being accepted.
My vision for the Clubs is that they will embrace
the highest standards of accessibility. Youth with
disabilities can be empowered through facilities
and programs. In my dream Club, the Club exceeds
the standards in the Americans with Disabilities Act
and is designed to meet any conceivable mobility
continued on page... 26
25

Proudly Supports
Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County
Currently, my favorite activity to do with
kids is listen to music and do art with them.
It is my favorite because it shows that every
person sees the world and expresses themselves
differently. Doing an activity with differences
is important because it shows that we are
accepting of everyone and the way they are.
26
GREAT
futures
GALA
Save the Date!
FRIDAY, NOV 1ST
skagitclubs.org
challenge. Advocating for improved mobility around
Clubs has been part of my platform for Youth of
the Year. The other major piece of my platform is
advocating for programs that enable all youth to
participate. Gym games and games rooms should
be designed to support youth who struggle to get
around the Club.
A diverse and caring staff helps create an atmosphere
that encourages youth. Beyond updating
facilities so that have more space, Clubs can support
youth with differences by hiring staff with differences.
Bringing staff that have experienced the
same things as kids will help youth envision themselves
being successful. Staff with diverse experiences
can develop programs that can reach the
needs of diverse students. Currently, my favorite
activity to do with kids is listen to music and do art
with them. It is my favorite because it shows that
every person sees the world and expresses themselves
differently. Doing an activity with differences
is important because it shows that we are accepting
of everyone and the way they are.
Outside the Club, my opportunities have been limited.
I was given the opportunity to join other youth
organizations and have minimal participation in
sports. But, I was skeptical and afraid that I would
not be able to participate fully in those opportunities.
In contrast, the Club has offered me a wide
range of activities. My hope is that the Clubs only
continue to grow in their ability to support youth
with disabilities. I am grateful to have been Youth
of the Year and to be a staff member. Through the
Clubs, I have been empowered to be an advocate
and I know that I am equipped for my future.

27

HOPE FOR A
GREAT FUTURE
“Go for a drive around this community, east or
west, and take a look around.”
That’s what Ron McHenry, CEO of the Boys & Girls
Club of Skagit County
told me during my initial
interview. The Concrete
School District spans
across Highway 20, up
into North Cascades
National Park and down
to Mount Baker National
Forest. It is a huge geographical
area, but
a small and intimate
community. There are
less than 500 students
enrolled in the K-12
school district, and some of them have an hour
ride to and from school.
My interviewers emphasized the rural aspect of the
community, over and over again. “Take a drive and
by Lela Kennedy, Elementary Site Coordinator, Concrete Boys & Girls Club
Lela Kennedy is wrapping up her first year in Skagit County as the Site Coordinator for the Concrete Elementary
Boys & Girls Club. In her submission, she reflects on her observations, including how Club leadership worked to
ensure that the successful candidate hired for the position had a full understanding of both the challenges and
opportunities present, as stability in the lives of the youth at the new Club was of prime importance.
That’s where the Boys & Girls Club of Skagit
County stepped in. This beautiful, rural,
strange community needed a space for
kids to play. This community needed a safe
space for kids to learn. This community
needed a healthy space for kids to eat, and I
wanted to be a part of the organization that
provided that space.
see,” he said. And I did just that. I headed east
first and drove through the whole town in under
three minutes. Hidden behind five gigantic cement
silos, the main street has a burned down historical
cement office and
an empty field. I turned
west and found an
old logging road, wide
enough for one car.
Driveways were gravel,
some of them had blue
nylon tarps draped
across campers or RVs.
Piles of dead branches
and old firewood lined
the bottom of hills. Most
houses were built before
1970; only a handful of
them were new. There are few, if any apartment
buildings or multi-family neighborhoods. All signs
pointed to poverty and at-risk youth.
28

During the first month, the staff and I
kept asking questions. “What are three of
your strengths?” Kindness, friendliness,
and fun were the main answers. “What
are two of your weaknesses?” “Math
and reading,” most answered. That’s
where we started—at the beginning.
That’s where the Boys & Girls Club of Skagit County
stepped in. This beautiful, rural, strange community
needed a space for kids to play. This community
needed a safe space for kids to learn. This community
needed a healthy space for kids to eat, and
I wanted to be a part of the organization that provided
that space.
We opened October 1st, 2018, and a flood of youth
poured into our building. Each one was hesitant and
untrusting of these strange outsiders discussing the
mission, vision, and values of our organization. We
started with one simple question, “What do you want
to be when you grow up?” The answers spanned from
a pizza maker to joining the military; only one or two
youth wanted to further their education and go to
college to become a veterinarian or doctor. However,
most of the youth told me they had no plans; they
didn’t know of anything they could be.
During the first month, the staff and I kept asking questions.
“What are three of your strengths?” Kindness,
friendliness, and fun were the main answers. “What
are two of your weaknesses?”
“Math and reading,” most answered. That’s where we
started—at the beginning. I sat down with a fourth
grader every day for six weeks; she read at a first-grade
continued on page... 31
29

30

At our three-month mark, we asked the
same question: “What do you want to
be when you grow up?” Librarian, heart
surgeon, artist, plumber, logger, engineer:
new possibilities started to form in the
youths’ minds. Ideas for adventures
and plans for the future, thinking
about things that had never crossed
their minds before came tumbling out.
level. We sat down every day, and she read me a book.
We started with simple addition, adding double-digit
numbers. “Remember to carry the tens,” we said over
and over again. We started at the ABCs—“Alice the
alligator enjoys apples.”We started with Dr. Seuss and
Little Pickle books. We read every day. We practiced
speaking with clarity and conviction, and we had fun.
At our three-month mark, we asked the same question:
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Librarian, heart surgeon, artist, plumber, logger, engineer:
new possibilities started to form in the youths’
minds. Ideas for adventures and plans for the future,
thinking about things that had never crossed their
minds before came tumbling out. The Club turned
into a place to make mistakes and spill paint, a spot to
read, a place to do homework, a career fair, and a science
fair. We taught one another how to say new big
words, like “electromagnetic,” and looked up words
in a dictionary, like “peninsula.” We discovered new
places on a map and read about new lands and old
ways of life. We laughed together. We cried together.
We’ve yelled in frustration, and we’ve healed together.
The Concrete Boys & Girls Club opened because
there was a need. A need to bring a town, hidden by
five huge cement silos, back into the open. It needed
a place for youth to be themselves and learn new
things every day. Come on up Highway 20 and drive
around. Take a look around. If you’re lucky enough,
you’ll see what I saw—hope for great futures.
A day at the Concrete Club: Youth at the Elementary site love to play
outside (page 29). Current page, top to bottom: A member works on a
math sheet during Power Hour, a group studies a “how to draw” book,
a member finds a quiet area to read.
31

KEYS FOR KIDS
BUILDS ON SUCCESS
What a couple of nights under the
Skagit sky! Keys for Kids 2019 is in the
books and some tunes are still working
their way out of our heads. This
year provided a unique experience that will linger
long after the final note
was played on Saturday
night, with stories of
each evening sure to be
re-told countless times,
year after year. Keys
for Kids is fast becoming
a truly unmissable
highlight of the Skagit
County Summer social
calendar through its unique blend of music, games,
delicious food & beverage, and philanthropy in a
gorgeous outdoor setting.
This year continued the trend of new guests showing
up to be wowed by what they find inside the gardens
at Keys for Kids, which echoes the experience many
youth have when they walk into our Boys & Girls Clubs
The growth of the Keys for Kids’ audience is
humbling, and a true testament to the Skagit
community’s belief in the Clubs’ mission and
passion for a good time in support of a great
cause—in this case, Great Futures.
for the first time, often because a friend had convinced
them to give it a try. The growth of the Keys for Kids’
audience is humbling, and a true testament to the
Skagit community’s belief in the Clubs’ mission and
passion for a good time in support of a great cause—
in this case, Great Futures.
We were joined once
again in collaborative spirit
by our sisters & brothers in
service from the Boys &
Girls Clubs of Whatcom
County, who brought their
bean-bag toss game to
liven up the festivities.
New games this year featured new challenges for our
guests to complement some favorites from last year,
and the harmonious tension of a competitive spirit
was alive and well as everyone had a blast competing
to win a chance at some great raffle prizes.
New this year were delectable creations by La Conner
Seafood & Prime Rib House that hit all the right sum-
32

Opposite left: Who can resist the photobooth with all those zany costumes?! Current page, left to right: Guests enjoy a game of water bottle toss, Rich
Wyman of Killer Keyz jamming out a song request, Club members enjoy running the games.
mery notes, perfectly complemented the curated list of
wine from Thurston Wolfe Winery, beers from Boundary
Bay Brewery & Bistro, and ice cream from Lopez Island
Creamery. Song requests were lively and set a fast
tempo as many a song was stopped & started again by
competing bids, and a wonderful time was had by all.
Oh, and it’s on, now—gauntlets were thrown down
by the Club cohorts of Mount Vernon, Anacortes,
Sedro-Woolley and Concrete in the Lip Sync Battle,
and as we look to bring the Burlington Boys & Girls
Club on board for next year, it looks to be a budding
tradition. An East County Showdown on Saturday
night followed an Island vs Valley Face-off on Friday.
These youth put tremendous effort into their choreographed
routines, mixing humor and the joy of community
into each performance.
Many a “Mission Moment” occurred over Friday &
Saturday night as we witnessed guests celebrating
the success of our youth and providing even greater
opportunities for their futures. Youth celebrated Pride
Month, spoke eloquently about the meaningful
impact the Club has on their lives, and demonstrated
just how valuable Boys & Girls Clubs are to our communities.
They shared how PowerHour helps them
stay ahead in their schoolwork, how SMART programs
help them feel more confident in themselves and their
decision making, and how Keystone Club helps them
become servant leaders in their community.
Keys for Kids is serious fun: we are proud to invite
the community to help us live out our organizational
value of Fun, and to commit community resources
to providing opportunities to youth that will fulfill our
mission: to enable all young people, especially those
who need us most, to reach their full potential as
productive, caring, responsible citizens. We can do
this because, thanks to our sponsors whose support
covers all hard & soft costs, all proceeds raised at
Keys for Kids can be invested directly into providing
high-impact programs, high-yield learning activities,
and high-quality Club experiences that will shape the
lives and futures of thousands of youth across Skagit
County. This can only happen because of the tremendous
generosity and support the Skagit County community
demonstrates.
Thank you everyone—our sponsors, the Allstate
Agents who helped to set up, our volunteer assistants
both nights, our guests, our catering & beverage support,
our venue, our performers, all those who gave
so generously, not to mention our Club Members
who were the stars of the show—for an unbelievable
event and truly humbling investment in our Boys &
Girls Clubs of Skagit County. Because of all of you,
the Clubs were able to raise over $100,000 in revenue
to support the programs & opportunities youth find
inside our Clubs’ Blue Doors. Thank you for helping
our youth compose their own Great Future!
As we begin to grow roots at Stepping Stones Garden,
we look for Great Futures not just for Keys for Kids in
Skagit County, but also the thousands of youth who
grow up here.
33

CLUBS EXPAND IN
BURLINGTON
Burlington sees a new Club site open for 6th-8th graders, with big plans for the following school year.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County established
a new 21st Century Community Learning Center
for teens at Lucille Umbarger Elementary in
Burlington this last April. The program is gaining
momentum with about twenty middle school students
enrolled. This new Club is a great place for members
to work on homework, spend time with friends, and
make new friends while enjoying the many programs
that the Club has to offer. Club members are already
declaring some of their favorites—DIY STEM, Fine Arts,
and Healthy Habits. Youth recently celebrated the end
of the school year with a pizza party. They were already
discussing what activities they would like to plan for the
fall when the program returns. Those plans include programs
focusing on cooking, astronomy, STEM, Healthy
Habits & Choices, Art, and Oceanography.
The new Site Coordinator, Christina Trader, has set
high expectations for the 2019-20 school year. “My
hope is that this site will reach more than 100 students
throughout the year. Our goal is to introduce
regular family nights and to collaborate with the
school to support our members in reaching academic
success. I’d love to see us include a science
fair and an art festival!”
Students of Allen Elementary School will have the
opportunity to attend during the summer as well, with
some college campus visits planned for the teens.
Christina Trader comes to the program with ten years
of Boys & Girls Club experience and a background in
education & math. In her free time Christina loves to
spend time near the ocean, reading, writing, scrapbooking,
and spending time with her family. She is also
an active Rotarian, and is President-Elect of her Rotary
Club. Christina’s passion to help children achieve their
goals and potential is evident when she works with
Club members to complete homework and in activity
planning. She believes that the Club is about creating
a family-type atmosphere and having fun while learning.
Christina is excited to be part of #SkagitPride and
work with the Burlington Community!
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MARATHON IS PROUD TO SUPPORT
STEM programs
for the
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS of Skagit County
From engineers to pipefitters, chemists to accountants, IT specialists to welders,
Marathon’s success relies on our ability to recruit and retain employees with
exceptional STEM-related skills. As an employer constantly seeking out top-talent
and as a socially responsible corporate citizen, supporting STEM education-related
programs is the cornerstone of Marathon’s community investment strategy.
We are proud to collaborate with the Boys & Girls Club of Skagit County on the
establishment of the Marathon STEM Academy, and further its mission to enable all
young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
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PO Box 947
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
THE PRINTING & MAILING OF THIS REPORT
WAS DONATED BY K&H PRINTING SOLUTIONS
Boys&
Girls&
Mentors&
STEM&
Field Trips
&
Whatever
It Takes to
Build Great
Futures.
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