Boys & Girls Clubs of America Honors Major Supporters

NEW YORK, Dec. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), the nation's premier youth development organization, honored a few of its dedicated supporters – W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Raytheon Corporation, Disney, Peter Morse and Larry & Colette Young – during the organization's annual Board of Governors dinner Tuesday.

The W. K. Kellogg Foundation received the 2014 Foundation Philanthropy Award for its support of BGCA's SPARK Early Literacy Program. Their tremendous support allows the program, designed to improve early-learning outcomes of kindergarten through third-grade students in public schools that partner with Boys & Girls Club affiliates, to combat reading challenges for kids in an even more impactful way. The Kellogg Foundation partnership lets BGCA and Clubs around the country continue to make significant progress in achieving substantially better academic success outcomes for young people, starting with the foundation of a strong reading acumen.   

The 2014 Corporate Philanthropy Award was presented to Raytheon Corporation for outstanding support of BGCA's STEM programming for military youth around the world. Through this partnership, BGCA will expand and specifically focus on military youth living outside of military installations to encourage interest in STEM disciplines and careers.  BGCA's Military Great Think, and the resulting white paper accompanying the historic event, precipitated Raytheon's desire to partner with the organization and support this significant need.  The extensive outreach that Raytheon's partnership supports will serve a significant population of military youth and provide life-changing learning opportunities for building 21st century skills of Club military youth in the United States and around the world.

Disney received the 2014 Great Futures Award for more than 50 years of collaboration with BGCA to inspire the next generation of leaders. As a founding sponsor of BGCA's Great Futures Campaign, Disney is helping to provide hundreds of thousands of kids with the tools and resources they need to create a brighter tomorrow.  Most recently, Disney helped to fund national after-school and summer creativity programs, and will continue to transform and inspire the nation's youth through their premier support of BGCA's flagship program, Youth of the Year.  

Peter Morse, president of Morse Partners, Ltd., was recognized with the 2014 Individual Philanthropy Award after dedicating more than 37 years of steadfast support for BGCA. Peter continues to give his time and energy to the organization, focusing on enhancing Club executive leadership around the country. Larry Young, President and CEO of Dr Pepper Snapple Group and his wife Colette were also recognized with the 2014 Individual Philanthropy Award. Larry, a Club alum, and Colette are important advocates and leaders for BGCA's efforts to engage Club alumni and friends.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,100 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at http://www.bgca.org/facebook and http://bgca.org/twitter.

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SOURCE Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Related Links

http://www.bgca.org