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3/28/2012 Roger Clemens Visits Our Kids!

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 22:12:57 GMT

Yesterday our kids were treated to a visit from Roger "The Rocket" Clemens! Roger shared a lot about his life and the challenges that he has overcome. He reminded our kids about the importance of a positive attitude, a strong work ethic and always making the best decisions possible, even when they aren't the popular decisions. Roger then showed our Boys and Girls Country family the art of pitching and played a little ball in the gym.

Roger Clemens explaining how the stitching on a baseball affects a pitch.

The Rocket and King playing catch.

After that, he sat down and signed autographs for every child and posed for pictures with each cottage family.

The Cottage 3 girls love their personally autographed photos!

Olivia requests a special shoe autograph!

What a great afternoon! We are deeply grateful to Roger Clemens for taking the time to share athletic tips and wisdom with our children. Thanks to Board Director, Chuck Scianna, for making this visit possible.

The Rocket with our big family

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3/14/2012 We need your help to make Spring Festival a success!

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:43:34 GMT

We depend upon the silent auction at Spring Festival to raise essential funds for the care of our children…and we rely on friends in the community to help us reach our goals. This year’s Spring Festival on May 5th is fast approaching, and we still need items for our baskets including:

Gift certificates to restaurants, spas, hotels, and other businesses
Golf outings
Event tickets
Electronics (new)
Sports memorabilia or other collectibles
Jewelry
Home and garden décor
Gourmet kitchen items
Other items of quality or distinction

Here's just a few of the baskets
from last year's silent auction.

If you are able to help us make this year’s silent auction a success, please contact George O’Neal at 281-351-4976 ext. 225 or george.oneal@boysandgirlscountry.org. Thank you!

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2/24/2012 Breaking Ground on Campus Chapel

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:19:52 GMT

Today we held a ground breaking ceremony at our main campus for the Joe H. and Sue S. Reynolds Foundation Chapel. This chapel, one of the final projects of our Growing for the Future capital campaign, should be completed sometime this spring.

While each of our cottage families attend a church together, everyone is looking forward to having a quiet spot on campus that is set aside for prayer, reflection, and worship. At the ceremony, a few of our children shared what this chapel will mean to them and their cottage family.

Having this chapel with us here at Boys and Girls Country is a mark of our faith in my cottage. It reminds us that the hands that hold the world, hold our hearts. It reminds us of the promises that the all loving Father above made us. This gives us a place to go to God with all we have. And all the while God will hear each of our cries and pleas. And he will give us hope and strength to believe.
--Billy, age 15

When my cottage found out about the chapel being built you could literally see excitement and hear a sigh of relief. We believe as a cottage family that being in such an eccentric situation can definitely be hard on our spiritual faith. But we feel nothing but pure joy for this safe haven to be built so close to home.
--Hannah, age 16

Breaking ground on the Joe H. and Sue S. Reynolds Foundation Chapel is Quintes Stark, Director of Operations; Lou Palma, Executive Director; Denisha Bullock, President of our Normative Leadership Council; Robert Kneppler, Chair of the Capital Campaign Committee; Elaine Petranek, Director of Development, and Susie Reynolds.

The chapel will include some beautiful stained glass windows, pictured below. These windows were originally donated to Happy Harbor Methodist Home in LaPorte by the Sterling-Turner Foundation. In 2008, Happy Harbor was irreparably damaged by Hurricane Ike, but amazingly, the windows stayed intact. We were chosen to receive these windows as a gift from Happy Harbor, with the blessing of our friends at the Sterling-Turner Foundation. They have been carefully stored in our Operations Center since 2009, and we are delighted that they will soon be “at home,” adorning our chapel.

We are incredibly grateful to our friends at Second Baptist Church, the Sterling-Turner Foundation, and the Joe H. and Sue S. Reynolds Foundation for making it possible for us to build this chapel for our children to use for years to come!

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2/15/2012 Thank You to Our Friends at Champion Energy!

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:57:47 GMT

Thanks to the folks at Champion Energy for offering this
great program to friends of our Home!

2/2/2012 Creating Stop Motion Videos with Our Lemonade Day Friends!

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:42:58 GMT

We were so excited when our friends from Lemonade Day invited us to help them make some promotional videos, and when we heard that we'd get to work with the awesome Houston nonprofit micro-cinema, Aurora Picture Show, we couldn't wait to get started! On Wednesday afternoon fourteen of our kids piled into a van and made the trek to Houston where they spent the afternoon with volunteers at Aurora Picture Show creating stop motion videos about the business of Lemonade Day.

The kids split into four groups and each group worked on a different aspect of running a lemonade stand: advertising, making the lemonade, building the stand, and site selection. They used pictures from magazines, photographs, paper, and, of course, lemons to make a great video.

Sneak a peek at these behind-the-scenes pictures of our kids and the creative process or go straight to the video.

Here, Jean Paul and King cut out the art for their video.

Cash checks to make sure the lighting is right before they take the next photo.

The girls carefully get the next scene in place.

More pictures are posted in the Aurora Picture Show's Flickr stream.

Everyone had so much fun and unanimously agreed that the whole experience was awesome! Now we are proud to present the finished product...enjoy!

Boys and Girls Country, Lemonade Day, and Aurora Picture Show Proudly Present:

Lemonade Day Stop Motion Workshop at Aurora from Aurora Picture Show on Vimeo.

From Aurora Picture Show: The kids from Lemonade Day came to our office and put together four different stop motion films concerning the main aspects of running a lemonade stand. Topics include: Advertising, Making the Lemonade, Building the Stand, and Site Selection.

Our kids loved getting to be creative in a whole new way. Thank you to our friends at Lemonade Day and Aurora Picture Show for this unique experience!

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1/27/2012 Thank You to Our 2011 Friends of Children!

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:08:41 GMT

At our Annual Board Meeting last night we honored our "Friends of Children," individuals and organizations who have gone above and beyond to help us care for our kids. Thank you to our wonderful Friends of Children -- and to all of you who support our mission every day.

2011 Friends of Children

Church
St. Aidan's Episcopal Church

Accepting the award on behalf of St. Aidan's is Johnny Wells, Mike Owens, Robbie Dillon, Rev. Warren Miedke, and Rev. Justin Lindstrom.

Corporation
Woodforest National Bank and
Woodforest Charitable Foundation

Suzie, one of our kids who has lived with us for 3 years, presents the Friend of Children award to Kim Marling, Executive Director and Vice President of Woodforest Charitable Foundation

Club/Civic Group
The Yellow Rose Chapter of the National Charity League

Accepting the award for the Yellow Rose Chapter are Karen Gentilini, Sharon Thomas, Kate Thomas, Audrey Gray, Kara Danford, Emma Mathieu and Gia Gentilini, with Diana Danford behind the camera for this photo.

Professional Services
Dr. Terrence O'Keefe

Presenting the award to Dr. O'Keefe, Karla, and Cheryl is John, who has lived with us for nearly seven years.

Community Partner
Cotillion Connection

Billy, who has lived with us for seven years, presents the award to Deslie Piercy.

We also recognized two other Friends of Children who were unable to be present for the award presentation.

Foundation
Houston Endowment, Inc.

Ginny Hargrave and Elaine Petranek visited Houston Endowment to present Leslie Wang (center) with the Friend of Children: Foundation Award.

From the Heart
Pat Dunaway

Ms. Pat is one of our wonderful volunteers. She tutors our kids and is an amazing role model, and friend, to several of our girls, including Brittani.

We love our Friends of Children...thank you all!

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1/20/2012 We celebrate education achievements!

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:01:54 GMT

The grades are in...and our kids did a great job! Yesterday we held an Education Fellowship to celebrate the accomplishments our kids made during the last six-week grading period. We gave out gift certificates for books to reward our children for their hard work. Here's a few pictures from the Fellowship...but first, we have to brag on our kids!

We also celebrated our "Most Improved" students, 19 kids who significantly improved in four or more classes!

57 of our children made the honor roll,
including 8 kids who made straight A's!

Our campus grade point average was a 3.1!

Ms. Terry gives Mekde her reward certificate

Brittani with Ms. Pat, one of our wonderful volunteer tutors!

We are so proud of our kids...and we are grateful to everyone who is committed to helping our kids succeed! Thank you for being part of our big family!

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12/25/2011 What a Merry Christmas!

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:52:16 GMT

Thanks to the support of friends like you, our children had an amazing Christmas season full of joy, wonder, and love.

We kicked things off with our Door Decorating Contest, and thanks to some really awesome donated prizes, the competition was fierce! Friends from the Yellow Rose Chapter of the National Charity League served as our esteemed judges.

Helen and the other girls in Cottage 4 turned their home into a gingerbread house, complete with candy canes hanging from the roof and snow on the windowsill!

Sherry welcomed the judges to Cottage 3.

The top prize went to Cottage 8!

A couple of days later, the Northwest Houston Chapter of the San Jacinto High Rollers came to campus with toys for all of our kids. This toy run is a tradition they've kept for more than 30 years, and it's one of our favorite Christmas events! We all gathered out by the fence to wave as hundreds of bikers - including Santa on his very own Harley - roared onto campus!

Ashleigh, Allea, Mekde, and Kaleigh made signs to welcome our High Roller friends!

Alden's eyes pop at the sight of all those motorcycles arriving!

Santa!

Next, we celebrated our "Day of Wonder," and all of our cottage families celebrated with friends in the community, who provided food, fun, fellowship, and, of course, wonder!

Our Cottage 3 Family had a great time with friends from Cy-Fair Federal Credit Union and a feast of fajitas!

Each cottage took time to present the Christmas story and reflect upon the birth of Jesus and the meaning of this season. Below, Jesse and King read from The Christmas Story.

Jacob, with his own personal Christmas tree!

Olivia loved her gifts!

Then, we sang Christmas carols with the Hoo-Hoo's, a group of professionals in the lumber industry who always bring smiles and songs...and the mighty Hoo-Hoo cheer!

We held a special party for our Alumni and the College and Career kids who were home for the holidays. We had a great time, and even got to see some of our "grand-kids!"

We capped things off with our Campus Christmas Party, "Mix and Jingle." Emma and Jocelyn smile in front of the Christmas palm tree.

Thank you for an awesome Christmas season...and for loving our kids all year long. We wish you joy and blessings in 2012!

12/19/2011 Meet Our Newest College Graduate!

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 22:04:45 GMT

We are overjoyed to announce that we have a new college graduate in the family! Jason graduated from Texas Tech this month with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics! We are so proud of him!

Jason first joined our family in 1993, when he was 12 years old. He won our hearts with his big smile. He'd always loved animals so he quickly got in helping around the ranch. He graduated from Waller High School in 2001 and went to a technical school in South Texas, where he received a technical degree in Agribusiness the next year. He ended up working for a company in Abilene. He was doing very well with his entry-level position, but he knew he could do more. He met with his boss to discuss the possibility of becoming a manager. Jason's boss told him that he was a great employee, but he pointed to his own college ring and said, "When you've got one of these, come talk to me." At that time, Jason returned to our area and he worked on our ranch for the next year and a half, while he tried to figure things out.

Jason was nervous about going to college - no one in his family had even attempted it before - but he was determined to make his dreams of building a successful career come true.

In 2007, Jason moved back to our College and Career campus and completed his basic coursework at community college, and he transferred to Texas Tech in 2009. Jason has persevered through some very hard times and overcome many challenges...and we have been there with support and encouragement every step of the way. His hard work paid off this month when he graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics! We were there cheering him on as he walked across the stage for his degree, just as we were there 10 years ago when he graduated from high school. He has already set up interviews with several companies in Houston where he will be able to apply all that he has learned. We know that the sky is the limit for this determined young man!

Jason, center, with the Guerras and the Starks, who remember his first day at Boys and Girls Country and have mentored him ever since.

11/21/2011 Happy Thanksgiving from Our Family to Yours!

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:16:39 GMT

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we asked our kids what they were thankful for, and we hope you enjoy their responses.

Thank you for helping us give our kids so much to be thankful for. Whether you have made monetary donations, provided items that we need to care for our kids, volunteered your time and talents, or prayed for us -- your support has made a difference in the lives of our children this year, and we thank you! We need your help this Thanksgiving so that we can continue to provide our children with shoes, bikes, food, clothes, a Home, and a big Boys and Girls Country family that will love and support them. A gift of any amount will help us care for our kids.

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

Song: Alisha's First Steps by Sixpence None the Richer

11/18/2011 Thanks 'N Giving

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:44:13 GMT

Last night, we held our annual Thanks 'N Giving celebration. It's one of our favorite campus events because we gather together as a big campus family, eat good food, laugh, talk, and just enjoy being together. We call it Thanks 'N Giving because we give thanks for all that we have been blessed with and we also remember the importance of giving back. Each cottage family does community service projects throughout the year and at Thanks 'N Giving, they share photographs and stories of how they served our community. We hope you enjoy these photos from this year's celebration!

11/03/2011 Heritage Award Dinner

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:20:59 GMT

This year, our Heritage Award Dinner, held on November 2, 2011, honored Mrs. T. A. Robinson, Jr. and featured entertainment from comedian Bill Engvall!

Thank you to everyone who made this year's Heritage Award Dinner a success, from our planning committee and volunteers to our underwriters, auction donors, auction bidders, and everyone who made a pledge or personal donation! The Heritage Award Dinner raises critical funds for the care of our children, and we are grateful to all of you for making the evening a spectacular success!

Mrs. Robinson with Sten Gustafson and Sofia Adrogué, who co-chaired
the Heritage Award Dinner

Jean Robinson and her late husband, T. A. "Tom" Robinson, Jr., founded Boys and Girls Country 40 years ago. What began as a few mobile buildings and 10 donated acres of rice land has grown to two campuses where more than 1,200 children have been raised in a loving, Christian home environment. This year's Heritage Award Dinner celebrated Ms. Jean and 40 years of growing up at Boys and Girls Country!

The Heritage Singers sang a tribute to Mrs. Robinson to the tune of the Simon and Garfunkel song of the same name.

This year, we added some excitement with an electronic Big Board Auction! There were bidding stations set up in the ballroom and a fantastic team of volunteers circulated the room with iPads.

Thank you to our wonderful volunteers: Susan Croley, Laura Morris, and Susan Syamken from the West Houston Chapter of the National Charity League; Lorraine and Audrey Gray, Stephanie, Kylie, and Crystal Locklear, Mary and Megan Patterson, Jean and Shelby Riordan, and Sharon and Kate Thomas from the Yellow Rose Chapter of the National Charity League; Sara Rice; Adam Newton; and Mary Jo Pawlowski.

We'd also like to thank Cypress Creek Christian Church, Faithbridge Church, St. Aidan's Episcopal Church, Marilyn Wardenburg, and the Yellow Rose Chapter of the National Charity League for donating items for our centerpieces. Rather than flowers, our tables were decorated with baskets chock full of items that will be added to our pantry to help us feed our kids!

For more about the dinner, visit www.heritagegala.org!

Thank you to all of our underwriters!

Fourth Decade

Mrs. T. A. Robinson, Jr.
Chuck and Rita Scianna/Sim-Tex, L.P.

Third Decade
Cheryl Ballard and Charles E. Jones
Kelly Gene Cook, Sr. Charitable Foundation
Deutsche Bank/Sofia Adrogué and Sten Gustafson
Rodney and NaDean Eads
El Paso Corporation
Karen and Wade Jones
Loyd Family Foundation
Penny and Paul Loyd/Leticia and Steve Trauber
National Oilwell Varco
Trenegy Incorporated
Joanne and Michael Watford

Second Decade
BMC Software
Bowers Foundation
Champion Energy Services
Ernst & Young LLP
Katherine and Scott Galloway
Gatewood Family Foundation (2)
Helen and Bob Howard
Insperity
KPMG LLP
Audrey Moody Ley
Marathon Oil Corporation
Mirand Response Systems
Noble Corporation
Mrs. T. A. Robinson, Jr.
The Schulte Family
Randy and Sandy Stilley
Woodforest National Bank/Merchant's Choice Payment Solutions

First Decade
A Friend of Boys and Girls Country
Bishop Lifting Products
Devon Energy Corporation
Cherie and Jim Flores
Goldman Sachs
Grant Thornton LLP
Randy and Tracy Hale
Jack and Carolyn Little
Morgan Stanley
The Pierson Foundation/Retired Honorary Lifetime Board Directors
RigNet, Inc.
Rowan Companies, Inc.
Fayez Sarofim & Co.
Chuck and Rita Scianna/Sim-Tex, L.P. (4)
Dick Scott
Southwestern Energy
John and Kriste Sullivan/The Kirk Edwards Foundation
J. R. and Susan Sult
Linda and David Underwood
Cynthia and Mac Walker
Loraine and Scott Wegmann (4)

Founding
Leslie Alexander and The Houston Rockets
Amegy Bank/Steve Stephens
AmerCable Incorporated
Ericka Bagwell
Chris & Kristy Bradshaw and Chris & Christine Transier
The Brock Group
Craig and Elizabeth Bunk/IBC Bank
Complete Production Services
Credit Suisse
Davis-Lynch, LLC
Deloitte
Energy XXI
Jana and Richard Fant
Margaret M. Forgan
Jim and Wendy Fryfogle
Gables Residential
William and Susan Galtney
Jack and Wendy Hartsoe
Sara and Philip Hawk
Hines
HTK Consultants, Inc.
Harold "Jake" and Rose Jacobson
Key Energy Services, Inc.
A. John Knapp and Allen Schubert
Robert and Susie Kneppler
Lakeside Marina/Nancy Brennan
Cheryl and Herb Listen
Longmont Group
Sheila Lyon Interiors
Carolyn and Steve Mafrige/Elaine and Dick Petranek
Elisabeth and Brian McCabe
Mark McComiskey and Timothy Day
Methodist Willowbrook Hospital
Midway Foundation
Mirand Response Systems
Mustang
Nautronix
Opportune LLP
Cynthia and Gregory Pappas
Patterson & Sheridan, LLP
Prospector Offshore Drilling
Isla and T. R. Reckling III
Royce Roberts/Arctic Pipe Inspection
Rock Hill Capital Group
Mary Jane and Ryan Rodgers
Matthew and Elizabeth Rotan
The Roten Family
Jeremy and Melinda Thigpen
Tidewater Inc.
Vaughan Nelson Investment Management, LP
Howard and Alyce Ann Wagner
Walter Oil & Gas Corporation
Pete and Marilyn Wardenburg
Weaver
James White
John L. Wortham & Son, LP
Richard L. Wynne/Porter Hedges, LLP

If you'd like to be involved in next year's dinner, please contact Elaine Petranek at 281-351-4976, extension 219 or elaine.petranek@boysandgirlscountry.org.

10/04/2011 Waller County Fair Fun

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:20:10 GMT

Our kids have been working hard to raise their animals in 4-H. Last week, they had a great time showing their projects at the fair...and they did a fantastic job! We would like to thank all of our friends who helped make our kids' successes possible by donating animals, supplies, equipment; volunteering to help our kids; or buying animals at auction, including the Owens family, Cody Dennison, Paul Shollar and his family, the Waller County Fair Association, R. K. Brangus, and Chuck and Rita Scianna of Sim-Tex, L.P.!

In addition to the friends listed above, we would like to give a special thank you to our friends at Harris County Department of Education's Cooperative for After-School Enrichment (CASE), for supporting our 4-H program! CASE After School Initiative is funded in part by Houston Endowment, Inc.

Goats

Jared won 2nd Place - Breeding Doe in the Heavy-Weight Division and 3rd Place - Breeding Doe in the Medium-Weight Division!

Sherry earned 3rd Place - Breeding Doe in the Light-Weight Division.

She also won 3rd Place - Breeding Doe Junior Showmanship!

Harley earned the Top Hand Award - Breeding Withers!

Scramble Heifers

Nicolas won 5th Place in Showmanship and 6th place in Show with his heifer!

Hemi earned 1st Place in Showmanship and 1st Place in Herdsmanship!

More Fair Fun!

This year Frank, Bryan, Michelle, Isaias, Ashley, and Jesse
showed rabbits, and Matt and Jared showed chickens.

Isaias earned 16th Place, Frank earned 19th Place,
and Ashley earned 26th Place for their rabbits!

09/02/11 We thank our volunteers!

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 20:43:52 GMT

We are blessed with an amazing network of dedicated volunteers who help us in every area of campus. They paint and deep clean cottages, sponsor birthdays and Christmas, teach music and martial arts, help in the Clothing Closet or Commissary, host special events full of fun activities for our children, and so much more. On Tuesday night, we held our Volunteer Appreciation Dinner to say, "Thank you for sharing your gifts with us!"

Instructors from Cypress TaeKwon-Do have partnered with us since last year to teach our kids martial arts!

This wonderful group of ladies from Montgomery County are always willing to lend a helping hand when we have a big mailing. We couldn't send our invitations to the Heritage Award Dinner without their help stuffing, sealing, and stamping more than 3,000 envelopes!

The Northwest Women's Club has sponsored Cottage 10 for several years, throwing birthday parties for our little girls and helping make their Christmas wishes come true!

Charles Barnes, pictured here with his wife, teaches guitar lessons to some of our boys and girls. One of his pupils, Billy, played guitar and sang at our summer talent show...and won first place!

Mr. George with June Hinkle, whose glowing smile brings happiness to Spring Festival every year as our favorite clown!

"Grandma Gloria" loves our kids, and helps us celebrate birthdays all year long!

Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers for sharing your gifts with us...and for helping us raise our kids!

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08/23/11 Boys and Girls Country Night at Chili's in Cypress

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 15:54:19 GMT

	Monday, August 29th is Boys and Girls Country Night at Chili's Spring Cypress!

Next Monday, you can enjoy a delicious dinner at Chili's with your family and help us care for our family!

On August 29th, Chili's will be donating 10% of sales to Boys and Girls Country! Simply print this flyer and present it to your server on Monday, August 29th, and Chili's will donate 10% of your purchase to our Home!

Chili's
25825 Northwest Freeway
Cypress, TX 77429

Help us pack the house...tell your friends!

Thank you for being part of our big family...
and for helping us raise our kids!

08/03/11 Our Home Receives Grant from the Hogg Foundation

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 21:39:05 GMT

We are excited to share that we are the recipient of a grant from the Hogg Foundation to help us promote mental health and wellness among our children. Read below for more details in the press release issued by the Hogg Foundation earlier today!

Boys and Girls Country of Houston Receives Hogg Foundation Grant to Fund Children’s Mental Health Training for Houston Adults

HOUSTON – Boys and Girls Country of Houston, Inc., a residential home for children ages 5 to 18, has received one of four grants awarded in Houston to fund children’s mental health training programs for adults who work with children and youth in the Houston area but aren’t mental health professionals.

Boys and Girls Country will use a nationally recognized model to train the home’s 50 program managers and direct care staff. The home houses up to 88 children and adolescents who live in groups of eight in cottages. “Teaching parents” reside with the children, build relationships with them, teach them life skills, and meet their daily needs.

With a $12,671 grant from the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, the home’s staff will learn about different kinds of mental illness and how to recognize them as well as tools and strategies to help children achieve wellness and success. The home also will conduct sessions for its young residents on mental health and wellness.

The Hogg Foundation and St. Luke's Episcopal Health Charities awarded the Ima Hogg Community Education Grants to pay for training for people who work with hundreds of children and youth of all ages, including those who live in Houston’s neediest neighborhoods. The training will enable participants to recognize the signs of mental illness in children, respond appropriately, and help families locate services in the community.

The grants are in honor of Miss Ima Hogg, a beloved and influential Houston philanthropist who supported mental health, music and the arts, education, and other causes in Houston and across Texas. In 1963 she directed the foundation to periodically fund children’s mental health training for adults in Houston and Harris County.

Other recipients include Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston – Houston, NAMI Metropolitan Houston and NAMI West Houston, and Texas Association for Infant Mental Health.

The Hogg Foundation was created in 1940 by the children of former Texas Governor James S. Hogg, and is part of the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement at The University of Texas at Austin. The foundation advances recovery and wellness in Texas by funding mental health services, policy analysis, research, and public education.

Through research-informed grantmaking to Texas nonprofits, St. Luke's Episcopal Health Charities, a separate component of St. Luke’s Episcopal Health System, improves community health and reduces health disparities. Our Center for Community-Based Research is dedicated to community-based participatory research practices that foster informed action, collaboration and empowerment for the medically underserved and other vulnerable populations.

07/05/11 Volunteers Partner with Our Kids for a Mural!

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 17:07:09 GMT

We kicked off the first week of Summer Program with a bang! Friends at Harvest Bible Church teamed up with artist Hope from The Village Brigade to design a beautiful mural for the side of our Community Life Building...and the best part is: Our kids got to help make her design a reality! We are so grateful to Harvest Bible Church for creating this opportunity for our Home! Keep reading to see how it all came together.

Before: The Community Life Building is a blank canvas.

DAY ONE
On Friday, June 24^th, Ms. Hope arrived early in the morning to prepare her paints and the wall. She painted on clouds, basic grass, and outlines of trees and then invited each child to add details like leaves, birds, grass, a cornfield, a city and more! By Friday evening the balloons were already taking flight! Our kids were covered in paint and proud to point out what section they had personally worked on.

Ms. Hope was an excellent instructor!

Covered in paint - what an excellent end to an excellent day!

DAY TWO
Saturday was abuzz with activity as cottages came to paint in shifts and several Harvest Bible Church members stopped by to help. The mural expanded onto a south wall and was even larger and more beautiful than we had anticipated!

As you can see, everyone had a great time painting, and they did a great job!

Close-up of the west wall

Close-up of the south wall

The fantastic finished product!

Thank you to our friends at Harvest Bible Church and Hope of The Village Brigade for this beautiful mural! It will be a treasured and admired artwork at our Home for a long time.

06/08/11 Congratulations to the Class of 2011!

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 20:40:53 GMT

Introducing the Class of 2011!

Congratulations to Diane, Rebekkah, Ryan, Chad, Stephanie, and Jorge!

They persevered through everything...all of the research papers, the science projects, the late-night study sessions...they kept going and faced all of the ups and downs, and they made it! On June 5th, Diane, Chad, Ryan, Jorge, Rebekkah, and Stephanie donned their caps and gowns and walked across the stage to receive their diplomas! We were there cheering them on...just as we have for so many years, because of your support. They will be going on to our College and Career Program, bringing our total number of graduates to 84 since we began the program in 1997!

Click here to send a message of congratulations to our graduates...and thank you for helping us raise these fantastic young men and women!

Thank you to our friends at Cy-Fair Federal Credit Union, Cypress Creek Christian Church, and Sim-Tex for helping us throw a "Senior Shower" to celebrate our grads with gifts that will help them set up their dorm room or room on our College and Career Campus!

Now Jorge is really ready for college!

Stephanie shows Ms. Amy some of her gifts.

Chad opening his gifts.

For more pictures of our grads, check out our photo gallery!

04/29/11 Boys and Girls Country in the News!

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 21:06:56 GMT

On Tuesday, reporters from Fox 26 News came out to our campus, and we were able to show them a little bit about our Home and introduce them to some of our kids. The end result was this fantastic video! It's a great introduction to our Home, and we are excited to share it with you...and we invite you to share it with your friends!

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03/16/11 Read all about it! 10-year-old Meadow makes the Wall Street Journal news!

Sun, 20 Mar 2011 04:57:02 GMT

The Wall Street Journal published an article today on young entrepreneurs...and our very own Meadow made the cut! After our kids ran a lemonade stand in 2009 (click here to read about the lemonade stand), Meadow started her own venture, a snowcone stand (big business in the Texas summers!).

In the article, Meadow shares her secrets to success ("Mixing flavors saves money!") and stress relief tips in the uncertain world of business: "I say to myself, 'Everything's going to be all right.'"

Here is an excerpt from the article Who's the Boss? When Jobs Are Scarce, the Kids Are, by Sue Shellenbarger:

Such programs as the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship and Lemonade Day encourage young entrepreneurs to get an early start. Meadow Bob, 10, was so impressed by the cash she and a few friends raised with a Lemonade Day stand two years ago that she came up with a business idea of her own. In search of a product "that will cool us off" during the summer, Meadow, who lives at Boys and Girls Country of Houston, a nonprofit children's home in Hockley, Texas, took $30 from her savings, bought a snow-cone machine and opened a stand selling the frozen treats at $2 a pop to her 83 schoolmates on campus, she says.

She has banked about $250 after expenses during her first two summers of operation and plans to open the stand again this summer. "It is sometimes hard to work," Meadow says. But she likes running her business; "when you get it all laid out, it's very simple. And I always have a little bit of time where I can make my own snow cone."

Read the full article from The Wall Street Journal

Way to go, Meadow! We are very proud of you!

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01/27/11 "Friend of Children" Award Recipients

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 21:30:43 GMT

We could not have made it to our 40^th anniversary in 2011 without the help of our friends! Earlier this year, we honored those friends who have been a part of our family for decades with our Friend of Children awards.

Alexandra presents Jean Robinson, the wife of our founder T. A. Robinson, with the "From the Heart" award for her heartfelt and unwavering commitment to our Home and children since our founding in 1971!

El Paso Corporation (Corporation)
Presented by Jason to Sue Ortenstone, Chris Jones, and our own Board Director, J. R. Sult

Kelsey-Seybold Clinic (Professional Services)
Presented by Cash to Michelle Lovelady and Laurie Touchet

Waller Independent School District (School)
Presented by Meadow to Danny Twardowski, Superintendent of Waller ISD

Cypress Creek Christian Church (Church)
Presented by Haymanot to interim pastor, Renée Hoke, along with our wonderful friends, Tom and Patsy Patterson and Michael and Jane Price

Northwest Houston Chapter of the San Jacinto High Rollers
(Club/Civic Group)
Presented by Michelle to Immediate Past President, T. J. Smock, President Brian Colburn, and members of the High Rollers motorcycle club

Thank you all for being a friend...loving our kids...and helping to make us who we are today!

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12/17/10 Happy Holidays from Boys and Girls Country

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 03:16:06 GMT

It's been a season of wonder and love at Boys and Girls Country! We thank you for being a part of it...and a part of each day in the lives of our children. Here's how we celebrated the season!

The Hoo-Hoo's, a group of professionals in the lumber industry with a great sense of humor and a lot of heart, got us into the holiday spirit with favorite Christmas carols!

Above: Mr. Frank starts us off with the Hoo Hoo cheer: "By the tail of the great black cat...black cat...Hoo Hoo!"

"Dashing through the snow!"

The Northwest Houston Chapter of the San Jacinto High Rollers rolled through with their 31st annual Toy Run, bringing presents and hundreds of bikes to campus!

Above: Michael, center, grew up at our Home since the age of 8...and, having recently completed four years in the Marines, came out to ride his own bike with the High Rollers!

Then came the Day of Wonder, a time for holiday parties in each of our children's cottages with our friends in the community, who provided holiday feasts, great company...and a whole lot of wonder!

Our children shared the Christmas story with our guests at each party!

Then it was time for our campus-wide Christmas party...and our traditional white elephant exchange! Each department and cottage came up with a silly and fun gift...and we spent the night stealing and re-stealing the choicest gifts from each other!

"They took our candy! How could they take our candy away?" (Fortunately, the gift exchange ended with satisfactory gifts for all!)

Our friend Heather Jakubenas of Show Cakes Houston surprised us with some spectacular cupcakes, including a field of snowmen...

...and an army of Santas!

Finally we had our College and Career Christmas Party, a time for our alumni...young adults who have grown up with us...to reconnect and celebrate the holidays together!

Michael, Yewente, and Jeremy with staff members Mr. Quintes and Mr. Matt

Vicky with her daughter, and Anthony

Amy and Debra, once cottagemates

We had a great dinner and took portraits of each young adult, and presented some little gifts for our big kids...

A stocking full of goodies for Jerusalem...

...and Jeremy...

Jeremy's wife Erin (left) with alumna Crystal

...and some big gifts for their little ones!

Tessa and J.J.'s daughter can't believe her eyes!

(J.J. still wears the "Shield of Faith" we gave to him at high school graduation -- the one we give to all of our high school graduates, inscribed with, “May God be among us, together and apart. Boys and Girls Country")

Myda with her children, and "grandma" Ms. Darla, who raised Myda!

Thank you all for a memorable holiday season at Boys and Girls Country! We are keeping you in our hearts and wishing you joy this season and into the New Year!

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11/18/10 What we are thankful for this Thanksgiving!

Sat, 18 Dec 2010 23:29:11 GMT

We celebrated our 15th annual Thanks n' Giving night, sharing our gratitude for the blessings in our lives...and sharing the ways in which our children have served and given to the community all year.

Here's what we're thankful for this year!

“Boys and girls country, and all the opportunities they give us. Like knowing we can go to college and start a great life. Knowing you always have someone to go to if you EVER need help. That is what I am thankful for this year.”
-Katelynn

“I am thankful for Spring Festival...and for Halloween. But, most of all, being offered a place to stay.”
-Dalton

“I’m thankful for being with my brothers and my sister. I haven’t seen them since I was 5. I am now 11. I’m also thankful for all the people at Boys and Girls Country for caring about the children here and spending their days making our days fun. I’m thankful for the ones who donate to Boys and Girls Country and keep us safe. I’m thankful that my life is beginning to change at Boys and Girls Country. I’m also thankful that I’m not always alone and even if I make mistakes, my life is a journey.”
-Brianna

“I am thankful for having a family and people who care and love me. I am also thankful for having food, clothes, and shelter because some people don’t. I am also thankful for being able to go to school and get an education so I can grow up knowing things like how to read and write and do math problems.”
-Anonymous

“College!...and I’m really thankful for Boys and Girls Country making it a reality.”
-Rebekkah

“I am thankful for God and all his blessings. For bringing me back to Boys and Girls Country in my time of need. And, for everyone involved in helping me along my life towards becoming a man.”
-Evan

“I am thankful for the Pilgrims. I love my family and the whole world!!”
-Marlon

“How many people care for me and the many chances people have given me. That people known as sponsors have given me clothes, shoes, stuffed animals, etc. But, the things I am most thankful for are my cottage mates, family, and my BIG family on campus. That is what I am thankful for.”
-Emma

“Summer program and cottage vacation!!!”

-Hunter

“The house that you gave me and that there is someone here when I get home. Giving us food and taking care of me. The brothers and sisters I have now at Boys and Girls Country. This is the best place for me to live and I THANK YOU!!”
-Miron

“To be living at Boys and Girls Country where I have a warm bed, food on the table, and people to take me to school. I am thankful for my tutor. She helps me do better in school.”
-Dylan

“My friends , to be alive, and to be somewhere I want to be.”
-Ryan

“Boys and Girls Country and all the hard work they do. I am thankful for the staff for always being there when we need them. I want to give a special thanks to my housedad for being by my side on good days and bad days.”
-Frank

“The place I live at and the things that happened to me because God has a plan for me.”
-Cash

We also give thanks for our friends Bubba Foehr, who smoked all of the turkey for the evening, Heather Jakubenas of Show Cakes Houston, who made some incredible Thanksgiving cupcakes for our kids, and the mothers and daughters of the Cypress Belles Chapter of the National Charity League, who served the meal for the entire campus!

Happy Thanksgiving!

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11/03/10 Heritage Award Dinner

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 19:32:18 GMT

The 2010 Heritage Award Dinner on November 3rd honored Mike and Cindy Gatewood for their dedication to our children, and featured comedian Frank Caliendo as our entertainer!

Mike has served on our board since 2002, including an extended term as Chair of the Board, and he and Cindy have gone above and beyond for our Home. It was a privilege to honor them at the Heritage Award Dinner!

Leticia Trauber (right), Chair of the Heritage Award Dinner Committee, with honorees Cindy and Mike Gatewood

Thanks to our generous underwriters and over 900 guests...who attended the event, made personal pledges of support that evening, and bid in the live and big board auctions...the event was a huge success in raising funds toward the care of our children! Thank you to all who made this spectacular night possible! (See below for a list of underwriters.)

Close to 1,000 guests filled the ballroom at the Hilton Americas...and filled the pledge bowl!

The Heritage Singers started off the evening with a musical tribute to Mike and Cindy!

Mike, who is well known for doing "whatever it takes" for our children, underwent a little good-hearted teasing about how far he'll go for our kids! Part of the song, to the tune of "Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown", went:

"He’s bad, bad Mike Gatewood
Get out of his way when he’s doing good.
Better hide when he’s raising funds
He’ll auction off your wife’s diamonds!"

Thanks for being a good sport, Mike...and for always "doing good" for us!

Alexandra shared the story of how living at Boys and Girls Country changed her life...and brought the ballroom to its feet!

Harley gave our invocation:

"Thank you for this day. Thank you for all these sponsors and thank you for the Gatewoods. They help Boys and Girls Country be a good home for me. Thank you for our food. Make it good for our bodies. Make tonight a good night. Help everyone be safe. Amen!"

Instead of flowers, the centerpieces on each table consisted of baking items for our kids to use all year long!

We are grateful to all of our friends who donated the centerpiece items, including Cypress Creek Christian Church, the Found Class at Second Baptist Church, The Met Church, St. Aidan's Episcopal Church, and the West Houston Chapter of the National Charity League. Ashley Grimmer of the Found Class also gathered baking items through her daughter's birthday party, asking guests to bring an item with them!

Thank you to our generous 2010 Heritage Award Dinner underwriters!

Diamond
Gatewood Family Foundation
A Friend of Boys and Girls Country

Emerald
Penny and Paul Loyd
Citigroup/Leticia and Steve Trauber

Platinum
Patrick and Katrin Casserly
Kelly Gene Cook, Sr. Charitable Foundation
Rodney and NaDean Eads
El Paso Corporation/J. R. and Susan Sult
Bob and Helen Howard/Jack and Carolyn Little
Taylor and Paige Kelly
National Oilwell Varco
Pride International
Mark and Nancy Rovenstine
Seahawk Drilling
Chuck and Rita Scianna/Sim-Tex, L.P.
Nathan and Kristen Stedham
Leticia and Steve Trauber
Joe and Elma Vaughan
Woodforest National Bank

Gold
Administaff
The Bowers Foundation
The Kirk Edwards Foundation/The Sullivan Family
Ernst & Young LLP
FMC Technologies
KPMG LLP
Loyd Family Foundation
Marathon Oil Corporation
Noble Corporation
Larry and Brenda Petru Family
Trenegy Incorporated

Silver
Apache Corporation
Barclays Capital
Credit Suisse
Devon Energy Corporation
A Friend of Boys and Girls Country
Scott and Katherine Galloway
Grant Thornton LLP
Randy and Tracy Hale/CCS Presentation Systems
HTK Consultants, Inc.
Paul Johnson/Paul Carter Jewels
Latham & Watkins LLP
Light Charitable Trust/Susan Lawhon
Mr. and Mrs. Michael M. Lowther
McDermott International, Inc.
Morgan Stanley/Brian and Elisabeth McCabe
RBC Capital Markets
Karen and Frank Rosales
Rowan Companies, Inc.
Dick Scott
Southwestern Energy
Randy and Sandy Stilley
Cynthia and Mac Walker
Michael Wasserman, David Greenberg, Ken Mathis, and Robbie Segler
Scott and Loraine Wegmann
Wells Fargo Bank
John L. Wortham & Son, L.P.

Bronze
Leslie Alexander and The Houston Rockets
AmerCable, Incorporated
Andrews Kurth LLP
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
The Brock Group
George and LuAnn Damiris
Deloitte
Ryan and Keri DesAutels
Ronnie and Lynn Deyo
ENGlobal Corporation
Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
Goldman Sachs
Smith & Christine Howland/Nisseki Chemical
IBC Bank/Craig and Elizabeth Bunk
Key Energy
Herb and Cheryl Listen
Lockton Marine & Energy
Sheila Lyon Interiors
Methodist Willowbrook Hospital
Midway Foundation
Mirand Response Systems
Neos Marketing, LP
New Directions
Oceaneering International, Inc.
Greg and Cynthia Pappas
Patterson & Sheridan, LLP
Elaine and Dick Petranek/Carolyn and Steve Mafrige
Pinnacle Financial Strategies Foundation
RigNet, Inc.
Matthew and Elizabeth Rotan
The Roten Family
Rottet Studio, Debner & Company and Harvey Builders
Mike Rutledge/Locke Lord Bissell Liddell LLP
Fayez Sarofim & Co.
SCF Partners
Simmons & Co.
Tidewater, Inc.
Jim and Leigh Tomforde
TransCanada Corporation
USA Compression Partners, LLC
Vaughan Nelson Investment Management
Walter Oil & Gas Corporation
Pete and Marilyn Wardenburg
Richard L. Wynne/Porter & Hedges, L.L.P.

Donations
J. Murry Bowden
Cytex Plastics
James B. and Wendy K. Fryfogle
Phil and Sara Hawk
Randy and Carol Limbacher
McGriff, Seibels & Williams, Inc.
Gary R. Petersen
Tommy and Isla Reckling
Mrs. T. A. Robinson, Jr.
Scurlock Foundation
Taste of Texas Restaurant

Special Thanks To:
Neos Marketing
Texas Business Theatre

For more information about the event, check out the Heritage Gala website!

If you have questions about our Heritage Award Dinner, or are interested in being a part the 2011 dinner, please contact Elaine Petranek at 281-351-4976 extension 219 or at elaine.petranek@boysandgirlscountry.org.

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10/01/10 Waller County Fair Results

Sat, 30 Oct 2010 00:18:44 GMT

Our kids in 4-H worked hard all year to raise their animals, and they did a great job at the Waller County Fair!

Hemi, Nicholas, and Tiffany all caught calves in the calf scramble...and Nicholas won a belt buckle for getting his calf over the line first!

John won 1^st place in showmanship and 2^nd place in weight class for his heifer!

We would like to thank Chuck and Rita Scianna of Sim-Tex, L.P. for donating the heifer for John to raise – and for buying her at auction and donating her back to our ranch! (Proceeds from the auction will help to offset the cost of raising her.) Paul Shollar and Scott Jones helped to clip and prepare the heifer for the show, and the Shollar family also generously provided season passes for all of our kids to enjoy the fair.

Helen won 4^th place in her weight class for goats! Here, she gives her goat one last wash before the show!

Thank you to the Owens family for spending countless hours helping us throughout the year with our goats!

Our kids also raised poulty and pigs this year, and they could not have done it without Lori Eaheman, who helped us select the pigs and gave us advice on raising them, and Waller County Extension Agent Cody Dennison who helped with our poultry projects.

Hannah placed 12^th in rabbits out of more than 60 competitors!

Our other Hannah worked with Hemi to raise and train "Annika," a filly, which Hemi showed at the fair – and which won the title of Grand Champion!

Congratulations, Hannah and Hemi!

Hemi was also awarded the 2010 Waller County Fair Horseman Award, based on a committee vote, for the excellent work and dedication he demonstrated throughout the fair!

We are grateful to Becky Nesbitt for donating Annika and to Chuck and Rita Scianna of Sim-Tex, L.P. for purchasing her at the auction – and donating her back to our Home! We would also like to thank Vickie Borchgardt, who banded Annika's mane in preparation for the show, and Christina, our student who originally picked out Annika when she was a colt and helped to get her ready for the show. Redmon Heating and Cooling generously donated the Grand Champion belt buckle, while Hemi's Horseman Award buckle was donated by Michele Hyde.

Hemi also raised "Sammy," a gelding, which he showed at the Waller County Fair...and at the Built Ford Tough American Quarter Horse Youth Association (AQHYA) World Championship Show this past summer! Hemi was among a small number of young people invited to show from around the world, and he and Sammy placed 12^th in the world among yearling geldings! Great job!

We would like to thank the Texas Quarter Horse Association and all of the friends who helped Hemi with his horse project, including Nancy Cahill, Dawn Forrest, Brad Jewett, Melsa Maher, Gretchen Mathes, Carey Nowacek, Jason Smith, Michelle Tidwell, Ava Urbanovsky. We would also like to thank all of our friends who contributed resources and supplies, including Mike Bishop, Branded Western Wear, Cavender's Boot City, Nancy Coyle, Houston Horse Council, Michele Grice, Billy Nelson, Sim-Tex, Waller Horse Council, and our very own teaching parents, Stacey and David Young.

Click here to read an article about Hemi's experience at the world championship in the American Quarter Horse Association's member publication, America's Horse Daily

Ashton, Brittani, Denisha, Haley, Jared, Rhonda, and Tiffany all had their animals go to auction!

We would like to give special thanks to the Waller County Fair Association for their encouragement and support of our children throughout the show!

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08/15/10 Thank you for a great summer!

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 16:38:28 GMT

We had an amazing summer, full of fun, learning, and quality time with everyone on campus!

It was a summer of swimming (and learning to swim!) in The Backyard Pool...

...fun games and relay races in the gym...

...fun in the art room and recreation center...

...and just general silliness!

(not to mention the sisterhood of the traveling pink shirt...)

We would like to thank everyone who made the summer great, including tutors Pat Dunaway and Amber Groll, art instructor Diane Parman, dance instructor Lauren Tidwell, swimming instructor Andrea Morton, guitar instructors Charles Barnes and Mark Trekell, and Tom Behrens, a tutor who also runs our Outdoor Club and takes our kids fishing! Gay Getschmann and Judy and Joe Veale came up with fun activities for our kids, and Erika Morton, a college student, coordinated our summer events – including our talent show! – through an internship made possible by the ExxonMobil Community Summer Jobs Program.

Erika also helped to set up a tour of the 104.1 KRBE radio station for our kids! Thank you to KRBE's Michael Briggs, Sales Representative, and Peter Remington, Market Manager, for giving our kids a behind-the-scenes look at KRBE! Our kids also met Roula, Ryan, Producer Eric, Special K, and Phoenix from the Roula and Ryan Morning Show...and got to say hello to Houston on the radio!

(Sports buff Hunter also had an "interview" for his future position as sportscaster at the station!)

It was hard to top all this fun, but the Salem Lutheran Church Youth Group came out in full force to hold a Fun Day...with a Waterpalooza festival, games of all kinds, and even an old car to demolish! Thank you to our friends at Salem Lutheran for ending our summer with a splash!

We'll miss you summer...Till next year!

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07/29/10 Boys and Girls Country's Got Talent!

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 16:39:58 GMT

Boys and Girls Country's got talent...and at our end-of-summer talent show, we showed it!

Part 1: The National Anthem...a salute to the lunch lady...singers...dancers...and a comedy troupe of blondes and non-blondes!

Part 2: Who will be the winner of Boys and Girls Country's Got Talent? Watch and find out as salsa dancing heats up the stage, along with a cool performance of Coldplay...and a Shirley Temple act!

Kudos to talent show coordinator Erika Morton, a college student who interned as our Summer Events Coordinator thanks to a generous grant from the ExxonMobil Community Summer Jobs Program! And special thanks to Stephanie, Amber, and Haley, our decorators, Chad, our sound technician, and talent show helpers Case, Chelsea, Denisha, Diondre, Moneisha, and all of Cottage 4!

Cottage 10 girls show us they can dance!

There was a dramatic monologue about...earwax. (Yes, those are cotton swabs behind Hannah's ears...)

...a Coldplay piece learned by ear...

...the National Anthem...

...and Super Bowl trivia!

Chad keeps the show going as our sound technician!

Great job, contestants!

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07/24/10 Alumni Homecoming

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:23:07 GMT

At our annual Alumni Homecoming, we welcomed home former residents and staff from across the decades, from our first girl at Girls Country to our most recent graduates! We shared memories, took tours of the campus (on foot and by hayride!), cooled off in The Backyard Pool, and enjoyed a longstanding tradition: the Alumni vs. Residents Basketball Game! (This year, the residents broke a longstanding alumni winning streak, with a score of 49 to 41! Go, home team!)

Thanks to everyone who came out for the day to celebrate our shared history! Special thanks to our friends in the Grey Street bible study group at Second Baptist, who donated and served up hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken for lunch!

Welcome home!

Karen, our first girl at Girls Country, came back to visit with her husband and daughter

Program Manager Michaelea Fuentes with Willie and Mildred Hill -- better known as Papa and Mama Hill -- who were houseparents for 18½ years!

Daniel, our most recent college graduate, came to visit with significant other Brittany

The Rankins brothers, Daniel, Billy, and Steven, joined us for the day!

Alan and Kellie Newton were houseparents for our boys in the early '90s.

Alumni toured the new Student Life Center and took a hayride through the campus, from the Student Life Center to the lake and back!

The Alumni vs. Residents Basketball Game!

The Resident Team: Xavier, Dominique, Jovanni, Desmin, Diondre, and Daniel

The Alumni Team: Brandon, Chris, Kennedy, Lucky, Lamar, Cody, Alex, Anthony, Joszef, and Junior

Coaches Mr. David and Mr. Aaron keep the resident team focused!

And at the buzzer, it's the residents at 49 to 41! Congratulations!

Check out the 2010 Alumni Homecoming Photo Gallery for more pictures!

We look forward to seeing you all again next year!

If you are an alumnus of Boys and Girls Country, stay connected for updates and invitations to next year's homecoming!

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07/22/10 A Photo Scavenger Hunt!

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:56:08 GMT

We had a photo scavenger hunt that took us throughout the community, from fire and police departments to stores, parks, and everywhere in between! Each cottage was sent on a mission to take pictures of themselves...

...wearing lampshades on their heads

...jumping in mid-air

...with a policeman eating a donut

...under a bed

...delivering a meal to a person in a restaurant

...in or on a shopping cart

...with a cow

...in an empty field, looking lost

...shaking hands with a Wal-Mart employee

...using a pay phone

...pumping a stranger's gas

...going down a slide

...reading books

...in a group hug

...in a pet store

... jogging on a park trail

...wearing silly hats

...and in a human pyramid!

After two hours of searching and finding, we made it home -- and the girls in Cottage 1 were through the gate first! Congratulations, Cottage 1...our photo scavenger hunt winners!

Thank you to everyone who played along everywhere we went, from the employees at the stores we visited to the kind strangers who let us pump your gas, serve your meal to you, and shake your hands!

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07/21/10 The Amazing Race at Boys and Girls Country!

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 22:11:49 GMT

The race was on at Boys and Girls Country! This past semester, our students took part in “The Amazing Race” at Boys and Girls Country – a Transitional Living Program designed to help students ages 16 and up to prepare for life after high school graduation.

The race started with a series of off-campus challenges…such as trying to locate items in a grocery store – or figuring out how to mail something back to campus with $10…with no instructions on how to do it!

Watch as our students navigate the challenges!

Part 1: The Race Begins

Part 2: The Exciting Conclusion!

Over the course of the semester, students also took part in a wide range of interactive sessions and completed a range of challenges that helped them learn how to manage their time, use a planner, budget for dorm room expenses and utilities, prepare for the SAT and ACT, apply for financial aid and college admissions, make informed and well-thought out decisions – especially about their health and well-being – and be prepared for the unique challenges that first-generation college students face.

We would like to thank friends in the community who made this past semester’s Transitional Living Program possible, including:

Vivian J. Dorsett, Practitioner/Instructor and Doctoral Student/JJUS at the College of Juvenile Justice & Psychology at Prairie View A&M University. Ms. Dorsett taught a class on decision-making on our campus and also hosted a session for our students at Prairie View, where they met with her group of foster care alumni and learned about the opportunities and challenges ahead in college.

Our friends at Sam Houston State University: Kay Angrove, M.Ed., Enrollment Management Specialist at the Office of Enrollment Management; and Keri L. Rogers, Ph.D., Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs. Ms. Angrove and Dr. Rogers held a special session for our students during Saturday@SAM, a time for students to visit the campus and learn more about programs at Sam.

Our friends at the North Harris County Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), who provided a generous grant toward educational materials for the program, including books that provide guidance and advice tailored to first-generation college students.

They're not real doctors...they just play them for the Transitional Living Program! For our health session, we gave each student a list of symptoms – from mild fevers and sore throats to stomach pain – to research online and come up with a few guesses about what their condition was.

Ms. Karen, Ms. Marcia, and Ms. Tis were on hand to give students practical advice on how to recognize symptoms, what kind of care they can do at home, and when to see a doctor.

We also visited a few nearby colleges…where students learned about programs – and experienced what it's like to be in a dorm room (and eat in a dorm cafeteria!) for the first time!

Students visited Amy, a current student at Sam Houston State University, and got their first glimpse into a dorm room. Their reaction:"That's it?"

The winners of the Amazing Race! The participants were: Alexandra, Alissa, Ashley C., Ashley J., Chad, Christina, Darnell, Debra, Diane, Frank, Jorge, Kim, LaTasha, Levi, Rebekkah, Robert, and Ryan.

Just as the winners of the TV show "The Amazing Race" win $1 million at the end, so did our kids! (Well, almost! Each received a customized "One Million Dollar" bill...because each of them is one in a million!)

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07/14/10 Higher PSAT and SAT scores thanks to Test Masters!

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 22:45:25 GMT

Our friends at Test Masters Educational Services, Inc. provided two of our students, Kim and Rebekkah, with scholarships to attend their SAT & PSAT Preparation Course. Our students loved the class...and both students increased their scores by almost 300 points!

Thank you so much for donating a scholarship for me to attend the classes. I learned a lot of helpful skills I can use in school and on the SAT. I had lots of fun too!

-Kim

I learned so much in the class and my SAT score went up tremendously. The writing class helped me the most and Jason was a great teacher because he made the test and class easy to understand. I really appreciate what you all have done for me.

-Rebekkah

P.S. The candy was great too. =)

Kim, who just completed her sophomore year in high school, is an Honor Roll student and was actively involved in tennis this year, and played on the Waller High varsity tennis team. Though she has a few more years to go until high school graduation, her improved score on the PSAT helped to provide her with more options for college.

Rebekkah, who will be a senior this year, is also an Honor Roll student, President of the National Honor Society at Waller High, and captain of the debate team. This summer, she also had the opportunity to attend a three-week debate workshop at the University of North Texas. She has her sights set high, and plans to attend a four-year university followed by law school – and her improved scores have her on the right track!

Thank you, Test Masters, for helping our kids reach their college dreams!

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06/22/10 The 24th Annual Children's Awards Banquet

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:32:53 GMT

At the 24th Annual Children's Awards Banquet, we honored our children for their achievements in the past year...and it was a wonderful night! Our theme was "Keys to Success"...and we thank each and every one of you for being the key to our children's success.

Watch Now: A Tribute to the Past Year
(as shown at our Awards Banquet!)

Song: "Love Wins" by Robbie Seay Band

We would also like to thank the evening's sponsors, the Cypress Belles Chapter of the National Charity League, which provided beautiful decorations and wonderful volunteers who served our guests, and St. Francis Episcopal Church, which provided the evening's dinner, along with servers and the venue. The night would not have been possible without you!

And the winners are...

A & B Honor Roll
Given to students whose grades in every subject average out to A's and B's for the entire 2009-2010 school year

Alexandra
Allea
Ashleigh
Chelsea
Christina
Crystal
Debra
Helen
Hunter
Jacob
Jared
Jason
Jocelyn
John
Kiewan
Kim
Mekdelawyt
Michael
Olivia
Raina
Serriah
Sherry
Stephanie
Taylor
Tiffany
Wesley
Xavier

A Honor Roll
Given to students whose grades average out to A’s for the entire 2009-2010 school year

Ashton
Audrey
Brianna
Daniel
Ethan
Jean Paul
Kaleigh
Kamry
Luke
Lyndon
Meadow
Rebekkah

Each student received a trophy in recognition of individual accomplishments and character. Mekdelawyt with her trophy!

Most Improved

Given to students who made significant improvements in their grades over the 2009-2010 school year

Ka’Tara
Elementary School

Shantel
Junior High School

Rhonda
High School

Scholar of the Year
Given to students with the highest grade-point averages (GPAs) on campus for the 2009-2010 school year

Kaleigh
Elementary School

Lyndon
Junior High School

Rebekkah
High School

Case with his trophy, in recognition of his achievements

Volunteer of the Year
Given to a student who demonstrated outstanding community service
Denisha

Citizen of the Year
Given to the student who demonstrated exceptional leadership and positive role modeling all year
John

Most Dedicated of the Year
Given to the student who has shown an outstanding level of dedication to their commitments
Evan

Resident of the Year
Given to the student who earned the highest overall ratings
Jorge

Kids’ Choice Award
Selected by students as the top leaders and positive role models on campus
Denisha
Levi D.

Gerry Lyon Memorial Award

Gerry Lyon was a former resident at Boys and Girls Country who overcame obstacles that might seem impossible to others. All the time he maintained a positive attitude and outlook on life. Gerry was a friendly, hard working young man. His life was cut short in an automobile accident the summer after he graduated from Waller High School.

The Gerry Lyon Memorial Award is given each year in his memory to a current resident who has overcome hardship, maintained a positive attitude, and is sincerely grateful for the opportunities he or she has had at Boys and Girls Country.

This year's Gerry Lyon Memorial Award Winner is graduating senior Levi!

Alexandra, Chair of the Normative Leadership Council, our campus student leadership group, presented the Kids' Choice Award to Levi and Denisha.

Congratulations to all!

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06/16/10 Happy Father's Day!

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 18:26:33 GMT

Father's Day is here...and we salute dads everywhere! Levi, one of our recent graduates in the Class of 2010, told us about his father figure Mr. Chris, a housedad who helped raise him into the amazing young man he is today.

"I remember when I wanted to run away from everything. I only got to the fence at the edge of campus. I stayed there and cried. I don't remember what made me mad...but I remember who made me happy -- Mr. Chris. He always had the right words... and still does.

Thanks for having my back, sir. I have never forgotten the wisdom you have instilled in me. And for that I claim you as my mentor and my father."

-Levi, Class of 2010

This Father's Day, we honor our housedads...who believe in our children, and help them believe in themselves. Who has been a father figure to you?

Make a gift in honor of a father figure in your life and we will send him a card for Father's Day! Enter your message to him in the "Comments" section of the online donation form and let him know how he has impacted your life! We will include your message with your card. Make your gift today!

Debra, our other graduate in the Class of 2010, with her housedad, Mr. Malcolm

Meadow and Ashleigh with their housedad, Mr. George

Mr. Jim and his boys

Mr. Mike with Matt and Jared

Happy Father's Day!

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06/05/10 Congratulations, Class of 2010!

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:59:10 GMT

Debra and Levi are our two newest high school graduates in the Class of 2010! These two amazing young people are among 78 students to graduate from high school since the start of our College and Career program in 1997...and are heading to college because of friends like you!

Class of 2010


Congratulations, Debra and Levi!

Watch a video of Debra and Levi growing up at our Home!

Click here to send Debra and Levi your message of congratulations...and encouragement for their future path!

Sharing Memories at Senior Day

At our Senior Day, staff members who have been family to our graduates spoke on their behalf...and Debra and Levi shared their story of growth and change, from their childhood at Boys and Girls Country to becoming the first high school graduates in their families. For the evening's celebrations, we took inspiration from Dr. Suess and told our graduates, "Oh, the places you'll go!" Thank you to each one of you who helps our graduates go places!


Mr. Todd and Mr. Chris (above) spoke on behalf of Levi, and Ms. Anna and Ms. Darla (below) shared special memories of Debra

View more photos in the Class of 2010 Photo Gallery!

Oh, The Places They're Going!
This fall, Levi is heading to Blinn College to complete his basic coursework before transferring to a four-year university, where he plans to study kinesiology. Debra is going to Lone Star College-Cy Fair to complete her basics before transferring to a four-year university to study education.

Debra also earned a scholarship from the Cy-Fair Federal Credit Union, which has provided generous college scholarships to our students over the years...and we are grateful to them! Thank you to all of our friends who give our graduates the chance to earn a college degree...and change their lives.

Congrats, grad!

Click here to make a gift in honor of Debra and Levi for their high school graduation! Your tax-deductible contribution will help to ensure each of our children a future!

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05/18/10 Deacons of Deadwood Charity Ball to benefit our Home!

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 04:51:35 GMT

The Deacons of Deadwood Motorcycle Club, formed in 2002, supports local children’s charities through proceeds of the annual Charity Ball. Our Home has been a beneficiary of the Charity Ball in years past, and we are grateful to the Deacons for selecting our Home again this year to receive proceeds from the event!

Join in the fun of the Deacons of Deadwood 2010 Charity Ball and help raise money toward the care of our children!

When: Saturday, September 11, 2010, at 8:00 pm

Where: The La Colombe d’Or Mansion and Le Grand Salon, 3410 Montrose.

The evening gets underway at Artista at 800 Bagby, beginning 5:30 with hors d'œuvre and a cash bar. At 7:30, guests can join in the police-escorted Deadman's Hand Motorcycle Parade to La Colombe d'Or or ride the free shuttle.

Enjoy great music, bid in the silent auction, and enter a drawing for a 2010 motorcycle donated by Republic Harley-Davidson! Ball tickets are only $125 and include your food and drink at La Colombe d'Or. There are also a limited number of VIP tables.

To order tickets or for more information, please contact the Deacons of Deadwood at deaconsofdeadwood@gmail.com.

And visit the Deacons of Deadwood website to learn more about this amazing group and how you can get involved!

The Deacons rode out to present us with the proceeds of the Charity Ball in past years, and your participation in this year's event can make it a success!

Our friend Sam Allen, co-founder of the Deacons of Deadwood, says of the group:

“This is a diverse club. We have politicians, lawyers, prosecutors and bail bondsmen; entrepreneurs, businessmen, salesmen, oilmen and self-made men; cell phone tower builders and engineers; car dealers, motorcycle dealers, motorcycle mechanics and commercial pilots; computer geeks, college professors and artists; financial guys, construction guys, restaurant guys, night club guys, unemployed guys and retired guys. We even have an opera guy and a hip-hop guy.”

And we at Boys and Girls Country love them all!

We honored the Deacons of Deadwood as our 2008 Friends of Children in the Club/Civic Group category for their contributions to our Home and children. Mike Gatewood, then Chair of the Board, presented the award to Sam Allen, Jay McKendree, and Ricky Cook

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05/03/10 A Tribute to Moms...Plus, Our Top 10 Gift Ideas!

Tue, 04 May 2010 17:13:50 GMT

Mother's Day is a time to honor moms...those we have known since birth, and those we have met along the way, who love us, care for us, nurture and support us...and help us do – and be – our best.

One of our girls who lived here years ago wrote back to our housemom who took care of her when she was a kid. She wrote, “Not a day goes by that I don’t talk about you. I love you so much; you were always such a great Mom to me.”

Here are some more things our kids had to say about their housemoms!

The 10 Best Things About Moms!

10. She cooks for us – spaghetti, macaroni, tacos, and chocolate cake!
9. She checks our homework and looks at our report cards.
8. She lets us have a day off where we can just stay in our pajamas and play video games!
7. She signs something so we can go on field trips with our school.
6. She reads to us.
5. She always dresses nice.
4. She listens.
3. She always keeps us on track, teaches us, and lets us have fun.
2. She throws away the candy if it isn’t good anymore. (Others in the cottage had different opinions: “No, she throws it all away!” “No she doesn’t!")
1. She’s, like, awesome!

The Boys and Girls Country Mother's Day Gift Guide

Not sure what to get for the moms in your life? Check out our gift guide for ideas on what to get...and what not to get!

(If none of these fits the bill, consider making a gift to our Home and children in honor of a mom in your life!)

Top 10 Mother's Day Gift Ideas
	Good Ideas:	Bad Ideas:
10.	A perfume you chose yourself	A perfume you made yourself


9.	A hydrating lotion	A hydrating Super Soaker


8.	Stuffed animals	Live animals


7.	A makeover	A makeover that needs a remakeover


6.	A poetry book	A picture book
	Extra points if you wrote the poetry yourself!

5.	A soothing face mask	A not-so-soothing face mask


4.	Horseback riding in the country	Mechanical bull riding in the country


3.	A bear hug	A sumo wrestler hug


2.	Taking her for a drive without a care	Taking her for a drive without a license


1.	A bunch of fresh flowers	A bunch of fresh fish

There you have it...a definitive guide to help you find the perfect gift for anyone who has been a mom to you!

Happy Mother's Day!

Share this page with your mom and your friends!

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05/01/10 Thanks for a great Spring Festival!

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:02:38 GMT

It was a sun-filled, fun-filled Spring Festival, and we are grateful to all of you -- our underwriters, donors, volunteers, and guests -- who made it possible. Proceeds of the event benefit the children in our care.

Click here to view this year's Spring Festival underwriters!

The midway was packed with guests...and games! From face and hair painting to wax hands, putt-putt golf, and the ring toss, there was something for everyone!

The petting zoo delighted visitors of all ages!

Our girls in Cottage 3, who placed 3rd in the Healthy Lemonade Division of the City-Wide Best Tasting Lemonade Contest last Saturday, had a lemonade stand out for this year's Lemonade Day!

The big board, live, and silent auctions were up and going...

The cooking teams served up food for thousands of guests...

...and the Student Life Center was open for sitting down to a good meal and enjoying the live auction and great entertainment!

Visit the Photo Gallery for more pictures from Spring Festival!

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04/06/10 We Thank Volunteers Who Help "Carry the Load"!

Tue, 04 May 2010 17:15:23 GMT

At our Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, we thanked volunteers who help us "carry the load" in so many ways at our Home...from painting cottages and tending flowerbeds...to tutoring...teaching music and art...throwing parties for birthdays and Christmas...helping out in the office...and working the Spring Festival!

We are grateful to all of you who contribute your time, talents, and energy in the service of our children and our Home!

A Tribute to Our Volunteers!

Kay Gallatin, Doyle Simpson, and Vern Hupman are just a few of our friends at Cypress Creek Christian Church who have made our family their family! They provide for everything from food and back-to-school supplies to birthdays and Christmas! Patsy Patterson, in the background here, is always at the fore when leading our friends at Cypress Creek in their service to our kids!

Gardening supplies on the table are part of the centerpiece. Each table represented an area in which our volunteers bless our Home...and planting and weeding is certainly among them!

Mary Dow, rightmost, with friends from the Northwest Women's Club, who sponsor our youngest girls in Cottage 10 at Christmas and other special occasions.

Rosemarie Waiand, with Director of Development Elaine Petranek. Rosemarie and her friends the "TwosTues" create handmade stockings for our College and Career students.

Gary and Loleda Kreitz, with the Houston Family Arts Center, which gives our kids an opportunity to see some great performances on stage! Gary has also served as our emcee at Spring Festival!

Lou Davis, a former houseparent who is still a part of our family, with Darla Guerra, also a former houseparent for 10 years...who is now our Internal Events Coordinator!

Frank Aranza, a Scout leader who comes out with his troop, and with the Hoo-Hoo's at Christmas every year, with Tom Behrens, who started our Outdoor Club to take children on trips for fishing and outdoor adventure, with wife Ann

Thank you to all of our volunteers who are part of this big family!

Visit the Photo Gallery for more pictures from our Volunteer Appreciation Dinner!

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03/29/10 Honor Roll...and Kickball!

Tue, 04 May 2010 17:16:32 GMT

We celebrated the achievements of our students in the 4^th six-week grading period with ice cream, followed by a game of kickball! Congratulations to all Honor Roll and Most Improved students!

All A's &
All A's and B's
4^th Six-Week Grading Period

Alexandra
Allea
Ashleigh
Ashton
Christina
Crystal
Daniel
Debra
Hannah
Helen
Jacob
Jared
Jean Paul
John
Jorge
Kamry
Kiewan
Kim
Luke
Lyndon
Meadow
Michael
Rebekkah
Serriah
Sherry
Taylor
Tiffany

Most Improved
4^th Six-Week Grading Period

Allea
Amber W.
Brittani
Christina
Desmin
Kim
Raina
Ryan
Suzie
Wesley

Ice cream...topped with kickball!

Diane is up to bat...er, kick

The boys wait their turn in the outfield

"I got it!" "No, I got it!" "No, I got it!"

Now it's the boys' turn to kick...

...and the girls' turn to run and catch!

Now, that's a kick!

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02/07/10 Super Bowl!

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:23:00 GMT

Our Super Bowl Party was super fun, thanks to our friends in the community!

Brandon cheers on the teams!

The West Houston chapter of the National Charity League brought out enough party food to last us from kick-off...past half-time...and all the way through the amazing last quarter!

Board member Donna Boyer's cake was a winner!

Our friends at Houston Party Rental gave us a chance to practice some tackles, sumo-style!

Above: Kim puts on her game face.

Below: Crystal demonstrates the art of sumo

01/28/10 We Celebrate Friends of Children

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:39:54 GMT

At the Annual Meeting of our Board of Directors, we honored our "Friends of Children", individuals and organizations who went many, many extra miles for our children in 2009. To all of this year's recipients -- and to all of you who make our mission possible every day -- thank you for being a friend!

2009 Friends of Children

Church:
Second Baptist Church

"Thank you, Boys and Girls Country, for your tireless work...and for giving kids hope."

-Margo Womac, Director of Ministry Network, who accepted the award on behalf of Second Baptist Church, with representatives of some of the Sunday School classes who support us, including Woody Evans of the Beacon Class, Carolyn Brock of the Encouragers Class, Jan Goehring of the Reel Life Class, and Ashley Hollis of the Found Class.

Foundation:
The Hamill Foundation

"I’m very pleased to accept this award. The Hamills would be very pleased. Boys and Girls Country has always been a favorite. We can see the mission in action when we visit. You provide a home for children without other options, and provide for their needs, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Our first gift was a $1,000 check that Mr. Hamill presented to T. A. Robinson [the founder of Boys and Girls Country]. Last year, we were able to give a gift many times that, for the Student Life Center.

“We’ve always enjoyed our relationship with Boys and Girls Country. We fund you because you do the right thing. In 9^th grade, my youth group visited a Baptist children’s home. It made a big impression on me. I grew up in a safe, middle class home – and I want to provide the same for kids at Boys and Girls Country. Remain true to your mission, because you do it well.

“We ran an oil company for 20 years, and we’ve had the foundation for 10 years. When companies would come get a lease and we’d get a check for $300,000 or $400,000, we’d say ‘That’s fantastic, because Shirley’s kids need new shoes!’ Now we say, ‘Lou’s kids need new shoes!’”

-Tom Brown, Grants Director

Corporation:
Sim-Tex, L.P.

“We would like to compliment Boys and Girls Country on everything they do. I am an opportunist. I see opportunities – that’s how I’ve been successful. God put an opportunity in front of me, and I’d hate to have missed this. We need that fountain of youth – our kids.

"Involvement in Boys and Girls Country is priceless. It’s invaluable. When we get our tax-deductible donation receipts, and I see the line for the value of our donation, I say it’s a misprint – because it’s invaluable.

"We thank Boys and Girls Country for the opportunity.”

-Chuck Scianna, President, with wife Rita

Community Partner:
The Methodist Hospital

“This past year was my first year to see Boys and Girls Country. It’s surprising how moved I find myself when I’m around a project like this one. It’s very impressive what you do. This past year, The Methodist Hospital weathered a lot of storms – and we consider ourselves fortunate to have the resources to support organizations in the community.

“Continue to do good by doing well. We are thankful, as we are seeking partners, to find an organization that’s dedicated to its mission every single day. Continue doing what you’re doing.”

-Cathy Easter, Vice President of Operations

Club/Civic Group:
American Association of Drilling Engineers (AADE)

“Our organization feels truly privileged to support Boys and Girls Country. Thank you very much.”

-Steve Hayes, George Hanst, Iven Bermudez, and Rusty Ritz

Professional Services:
Daniel T. L. Tan, M. D.

“In my work, I associate with lots of mental health facilities and hospitals. There is nothing like Boys and Girls Country…nothing else in Houston like it. You’re giving to a very worthy cause – a very worthy cause.”

-Dr. Tan, who provides clinical services to our children

Nonprofit Friend:
ArtBridge Houston

“Lynette has the joy of working with the kids, and she comes back and tells inspiring stories of the kids and how they are growing. They go from being afraid to express themselves to having the confidence to express themselves. It leads to language, and they are able to open up.”

-Beverly Bentley, Executive Director of ArtBridge, and Lynette Burns, a board member of ArtBridge and our own Boys and Girls Country volunteer

01/22/10 The Honor Roll!

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:27:03 GMT

We celebrated the achievements of our children in the fall 2009 semester with a boardgame night! We took lessons from games like chess, "Life", "Chutes and Ladders", and more...to help us move to the next square toward success.

Special thanks to Dominic Ortiz, manager of Walmart Supercenter #5091, along with all of the managers who come out from local Wal-Mart stores all year to celebrate with our kids, and reward them for great grades and perfect attendance! They also surprised us with a generous gift to help us purchase new grills for outdoor celebrations!

Fall 2009 Honor Roll

A Honor Roll

Allea
Ashton
Brianna
Debra
Ethan
Kaleigh
Luke
Meadow
Rebekkah

A and B Honor Roll

Alex
Amber W.
Ashleigh
Audrey
Christina
Crystal
Helen
Hunter
Jacob
Jared
Jean Paul
Jocelyn
John
Kamry
Kiewan
Kim
LaTasha
Lyndon
Mekde
Michael
Sherry
Taylor
Xavier

The A's Have It! Our "A Honor Roll" Students...against a Twister background!

Allea	Ashton	Brianna

Debra	Ethan	Kaleigh

Luke	Meadow	Rebekkah

12/24/09 Happy Holidays from Boys and Girls Country!

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:20:33 GMT

During the Weekend of Wonder, we shared food and fun with our friends from the community, who helped to make the season bright for our kids!

There were parties...

...and presents...

...and plenty of wonder!

Thank you to everyone who came out -- and went all out! -- to share in the spirit of the season with us!

Happy Holidays from all of us at Boys and Girls Country!

12/06/09 The High Rollers 30th Annual Toy Run

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:27:06 GMT

This holiday season brought us a sprinkling of snow, festivities with friends, gifts given and received, and the chance to rejoice and celebrate with each other and with our friends in the community!

First, the North West San Jacinto High Rollers rolled in for their 30th Annual Toy Run...bearing gifts!

We waited on the fence until we heard the rumble of the motorcycles headed down Roberts Road, and waved our friends in!

Vroom vroom!

Then we gathered in the Student Life Center...and waited some more...

...for Santa!

No chimney needed! Santa rode straight into the new gym through our custom-built door (designed just for him, of course!)

And the crowd goes wild!

Santa called us up one by one...we opened our presents...and enjoyed cookies and hot chocolate with our friends!

The High Rollers Annual Toy Run is one of our favorite events of the year, and we are grateful to all of you who made the event possible...for riding out to share the holidays with us...for your generosity and love...and for the thrill you give us each year when you visit!

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11/11/09 Heritage Award Dinner

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 04:15:47 GMT

Thank you to everyone who made the Heritage Award Dinner a success this year, from our planning committee and volunteers to our underwriters, auction donors, and auction bidders (special thanks to Mike Gatewood, Chair of the Board, who also served as our auctioneer...and made this year's live auction the most successful yet!).

We would like to especially thank our honorees, Penny and Paul Loyd, for allowing us to honor them for their love and dedication to our children on this special evening!

Below: Watch a video about honorees Penny and Paul Loyd and their contribution to our children!

Paul and Penny Loyd, with Michael, Meadow, Jean Paul, Rebekkah, Sherry, Frank, Jovanni, Helen, Kaleigh, and Harley

Thank You to Our 2009 Heritage Award Dinner Major Underwriters!

Emerald
Gatewood Family Foundation
Penny and Paul Loyd
New Directions

Platinum
Kelly Gene Cook, Sr. Charitable Foundation
NaDean and Rodney Eads
Loyd Family Foundation
El Paso Corporation/J. R. and Susan Sult
Helen and Bob Howard/Carolyn and Jack Little
Megan and John Lovoi
Karen and Tim Nagle
Reuhl Family Foundation
Seahawk Drilling

Gold
Administaff
Bowers Foundation
Ernst & Young LLP
FMC Technologies
Katherine and Scott Galloway/Shirley Wright and Dennis Alexander
Marathon Oil Corporation
Mirand Card Services
Mirand Response Systems
Noble Corporation
Sharon and Michael Talbert/Betty and John Hrncir
Woodforest National Bank

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10/04/09 Waller County Fair Winners!

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 04:16:55 GMT

The Waller County Fair was a chance for our kids to show the animals they raised for months in the 4-H program...and they came away winners! We thank all of our friends who made their success in the 4-H program and at the fair possible. In addition to those listed below for their help with specific projects, we would like to thank Chuck and Rita Scianna, our friends at Sim-Tex, who bought nearly all of our kids' animals at auction, and Mike Bishop, who bought Haymanot's colt.

We would also like to thank our friends at Harris County Department of Education's Cooperative for After-School Enrichment (CASE), for supporting our 4-H program, along with our equestrian program and our theater education program! CASE After School Initiative is funded in part by Houston Endowment, Inc.

And the winners are...

Calf Scramble Heifers

1^st Place Grand Champion: Christina
2^nd Place Reserve Grand Champion: John

Christina with Rebel, the Grand Champion!

Mr. David, who coordinates the 4-H program, with John, who earned a close second with Black Beauty, the Reserve Grand Champion

Special thanks go to Double H Ranch, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Huddlesten, for donating Christina’s heifer; to Glen and Kimberly Wilson, for their help and support for Christina and her heifer; to Berry Harrison of Harrison Farms for donating John’s heifer; and to Paul Shollar, for helping John get his heifer ready for show.

Rabbit Show

Ashton and Jared check in with their rabbits

Meat Class Pens (out of 57 pens in all):
16^th Place: Ashton
22^nd Place: Jared
31^st Place: Ashley C.
33^rd Place: Xavier
34^th Place: Serriah
38^th Place: Diondre
42^nd Place: Tiffany
49^th Place: Dominique
50^th Place: Crystal
51^st Place: Jonathan
52^nd Place: James
53^rd Place: Denisha
54^th Place: Nicolas:

Showmanship:
4^th Place: Tiffany
16^th Place: Ashton

Special thanks to Michele Martinez for her help with our kids who raised and showed rabbits!

Above: It was a "hare raising" time for James, Jared, Xavier, Ashton, Nicolas, Diondre, Dora, Tiffany, Serriah, and Ashley!

Colt Show

Haymanot and colt Zeus in the arena

Haymanot won:
2^nd Place in In-Hand Trail
4^th Place in Halter
5^th Place in Showmanship

Haymanot also received an award from the Horse Council for his hard work and dedication, along with the Guy Stoops Award, given to the exhibitor who best demonstrates the ideals of sportsmanship, including respect, civility, responsibility, fairness, honesty, and unselfishness. Congratulations, Haymanot!

Special thanks to Ava Urbanovsky, Doug Tallent Quarter Horses, and Thomas Waind of Langdon, North Dakota for getting Zeus donated to the program for the project, and to the Greater Houston Quarter Horse Association for sponsoring Haymanot.

Goat Show

Taylor, Rhonda, and Sherry with their goats

Showmanship:
8^th Place: Taylor
10^th Place: Rhonda

Medium Weight Meat Class:
9^th Place: Sherry
14^th Place: Taylor
15^th Place: Rhonda

Special thanks go to the Owens Family for helping our kids with goat projects!

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09/01/09 Penny Loyd Student Life Center: Now Open!

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 04:25:02 GMT

After decades of need...years of planning...and months of construction...we opened the doors of the new Penny Loyd Student Life Center, an educational and recreational facility that will integrate all of our children's after-school activities under one roof!

The Student Life Center replaces our 30-year-old gym -- which leaked for years, and finally had to be shut down in late 2008.

The Old Gym


In the old gym, holes in the roof meant puddles inside every time it rained!


Left: The external structure of the old gym was damaged over three decades of wear and tear...and Hurricane Ike brought more damage -- and dangerous mold -- to the interior (right). The building was shut down in December 2008 out of concerns for the health and well-being of students and staff.

Introducing the Penny Loyd Student Life Center!

Because of the generous contributions of many friends in the community, we were able to finally replace the old gym with the Penny Loyd Student Life Center.


The Penny Loyd Student Life Center is situated at the center of campus, for equal access by all children, and is adjacent to The Backyard Pool that was completed in 2007.

>>Photo Gallery: Take a Tour of the Penny Loyd Student Life Center!

The Student Life Center is named for Penny Loyd, a longtime board member and friend of our Home who has always served our children with love and dedication. Penny and her husband Paul officially opened the Student Life Center at our ribbon cutting ceremony in mid-August.


Mike Gatewood, Chair of the Board of Directors, tells us the story of Paul's wish to honor Penny for her outstanding service to our children by naming the Student Life Center for her.

Big scissors for a big moment!

(Construction) hats off to our architect, Russell Clark!

We would like to thank Russell and all of our friends who worked with our Director of Operations, Quintes Stark, to turn our dreams and plans into this amazing new building that will provide our children with the after-school programs they need to succeed, including:

Brookstone, our construction company, with special thanks to John Carson, Ken Charba, Chuck Mathes, and Jeremy Stoval
Pieper-Houston Electric L.P., with special thanks to Fred Cataldo, Bud Walters, and Adam Walker
Electrical Tech Services, Inc. (ETS), with special thanks to Chad Walters

Robert Kneppler, Jr., Chair of the Capital Campaign Committee, expresses a few words of gratitude for all who made the construction of the Student Life Center possible...and shares more about remaining projects that must still be completed as part of the capital campaign. Mr. Lou and Mike look on, along with Haymanot, co-chair of the Normative Leadership Council, who offered a closing prayer.


Students in the Normative Leadership Council were on hand to provide tours. Here, they test out the special lounge area designated for members of the council...who, through their positive efforts and leadership, have earned a place to hang out!

Class of 2001 graduate Jerome -- now a certified paramedic -- came home to visit, and to check out the new Student Life Center. Jerome remarked, "So now you can play basketball in the gym even if it's raining!" He remembered the days of the old gym, when rain outside meant puddles, mops, buckets, and towels inside because of the holes in the roof! Above, Jerome visited the new Education Center, complete with a library, multimedia center, and tutoring rooms.

At play in the new gym. Since the Student Life Center opened, we have more students playing in the gym every day after school than ever before!

Everyone grab a basketball! Jacob, Michael, and Harley shoot some hoops...while Mr. Henry tries to stay out of the way!


Frank shows Harley and Michael how to do a slam dunk!

Haley tests out the hoop at the other side of the gym.

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07/15/09 Summer Fun!

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 04:26:15 GMT

Summer is in full swing...from riding horses and swimming to classes, reading, arts and crafts, and more!

Meadow cruises along on a summer day

Hula hoops, orange cones, and scooter boards are all you really need for a day of fun!

On Literary Character Day, we dressed up as our favorite book characters and picked out some great summer reading at our book fair

Students are learning -- and discussing -- a wide range of topics to prepare them for new challenges...from etiquette to listening skills

Many heads are better than one...especially when it comes to a game of jacks!

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06/01/09 Congratulations, Class of 2009!

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 04:26:55 GMT

The high school Class of 2009 has graduated! We are proud of these graduates, who have worked hard for their achievements...from Honor Roll to scholarships and acceptance into their colleges of choice. Congratulations to all!

Andrew

Dean

George

Piero

Senior Showers

Thank you to our wonderful friends at Cypress Creek Christian Church for showering our seniors with love...and essentials for their first year in college!

Ms. Patsy Patterson (or Ms. Patsy, as we call her!), a beloved and longtime member of this big family, wishes Andrew well for the next step in his life...college!

Dean and Mr. Malcolm enjoy the party and look through scrapbooks that Ms. Patsy and her husband Tom have kept of our children for many years

Piero and George open their gifts -- and find everything a college student could need!

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05/18/09 A Bake Sale Tale

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 04:28:23 GMT

After our 2009 Spring Festival was canceled due to the weather, we had a ton of baked goods that were originally donated to the festival bake sale...for hundreds of customers! We sold some at our Lemonade Day...and the rest were divided among each of our children's cottages so that children could try their hand at turning a profit with their own bake sales.

Each cottage set up a sale at a different location in town. They used the marketing and selling strategies they learned during Lemonade Day, held up signs, and did whatever it took to draw in the customers.

James' cottage held two bake sales. At the first bake sale, James spent a little time watching how the selling was done...and he saw that he could handle it. At the second bake sale, James stepped up to run the sale on his own...and his incredible skills as a salesman and accountant helped him make just as much money as the group made during the first bake sale!

As much success as all of our cottage families had, one of our little boys' cottages outshone all of the rest in the amount of money they raised. Each boy was given a small stack of baked goods to sell as their own, from cookies and cupcakes to full-size cakes. They loaded into the van, and headed off to a shopping area.

During the ride, the boys set their cakes and cookies on the seats and on the floor of the van...not knowing how careful they needed to be. Their housemom glanced back midway through the ride...and saw mayhem! Cakes were sliding along the seats...and tipping over onto the floor...and she heard an older boy call out to five-year-old Harley, "Harley! No! Nobody is going to want to eat those now!" Harley was happily poking into the box of cupcakes in his lap...oblivious to the fact that he would have to part with them to a customer.

Harley tested the cupcakes for quality control purposes!

By the time they reached their destination, it was obvious that the bake sale scheme was a disaster. The cupcakes were squashed together...the cake frosting was smeared all over the inside of the plastic covers...and the cookies were crumbs.

Not wanting the idea to be a total loss, the boys and their houseparents decided to instead give the cakes and cookies away. They set up a table, and the boys ran up and down the sidewalks shouting "Free cake! Take all you want! It's free!" Passersby couldn't resist, and came to the table. Harley got into selling mode, telling people who approached, "You need this! This tastes good! You want this!" while loading their arms.

Most people looked at the demolished baked goods and wanted to make a donation -- without taking the cake -- but the boys insisted, "No! You've got to take the cake! We can't leave until the cake is all gone!"

At the end of the two hour period of giving away "free cake" -- and drawing in plenty of donations, and many new friends -- the boys had made two to three times the amount that any other cottage made. The disaster had turned out well...

...and Harley proved that you can have your cake...and sell it, too.

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05/02/09 Lemonade Day! (and Spring Festival update)

Sat, 09 May 2009 01:31:47 GMT

When life gives you lemons...

Our Spring Festival was originally scheduled for May 2nd, but was cancelled last week due to torrential rains that muddied the fields where we set up the festival. It was an agonizing decision to cancel this long-planned and long-anticipated event...but recently, as we tried to mow those fields, our mowers sunk into the mud, and we knew we had made the right decision to cancel Spring Festival for this year.

We did everything we could to communicate the cancellation to the public through phone calls, emails, online social networking utilities, and local media...but we knew that there were limits to who we could reach, and wanted to make sure that if anyone did miss the message, we could welcome guests to our Home and spend time with them.

We held tours, sold the baked goods originally intended for the Spring Festival bake sale, and held "Lemonade Day".

Michelle at the Lemonade Stand

Lemonade Day is a community event held in many cities to teach young people to start and run a lemonade stand, and is a project of Prepared 4 Life, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that prepares youth for life through fun, proactive and experiential programs infused with life skills, character education and entrepreneurship.

We are grateful to those of you who were just passing through and came in to buy our kids' lemonade...and we hope that those of you whom we could not reach in the days between the date of our cancellation decision and May 2nd were still able to enjoy your visit to campus and Lemonade Day!

Thank you to our friends at Prepared 4 Life for making Lemonade Day possible!

Lemonade Day Photo Gallery

Spring Festival Update: You can still join in on the May 11th drawing for exciting prizes! Contact George O'Neal at george.oneal@boysandgirlscountry.org or 281-351-4976 ext. 225 for more information.

If you would like to help us raise the money ($200,000) we would have raised this Spring Festival toward the care of our children, please make a donation online or contact us Elaine Petranek at elaine.petranek@boysandgirlscountry.org or 281-351-4976 ext. 219. We need your help!

Robert helped with the advertising in a big way...a very big way...

...and he has the chalk-covered hands to prove it!

Evan helps with publicity by the gate!

Ms. Heidi, Crystal, Suzie, Raina, and Katelyn make a pitch for Lemonade Day

04/29/09 Spring Festival '09 Canceled

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 05:16:51 GMT

Boys and Girls Country Cancels Spring Festival

Torrential rains in the Hockley area have forced Boys and Girls Country to cancel their 33^rd annual Spring Festival scheduled for Saturday, May 2^nd.

The festival has been held each year on the Boys and Girls Country campus in northwest Harris County and attracts 2500-3000 children and adults of all ages. Over 500 volunteers had signed up to help this year.

The heavy rains drenched the areas where the booths, tents, and rides were to be placed, promising to make it a muddy mess for visitors on Saturday. Additionally, the possibility of parking over 2000 cars in an already soggy, muddy field was a safety concern for the guests expected to attend.

“We are extremely disappointed that our festival which is loved by so many must be canceled this year,” said Shirley Wright, Executive Director. “We will miss having the opportunity to meet and greet the thousands of friends who come for a fun day in the country. Spring Festival is also a major fund raising event for us. We must now replace $200,000 to provide for the daily needs of the children who live with us and grow up here.”

You can help by making a donation or shopping our Live Auction on line beginning Saturday morning. If you donated an item to our Silent Auction, it will be sold at our Heritage Dinner in the fall. And if you sold or purchased raffle tickets, be sure to get the stubs turned into our office by Monday, May 11 at noon for the drawing. Prizes are: Hotel and Airfare for 4 at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida (some restrictions apply), a 32” LCD HDTV, and a Wii by Nintendo. Drawing tickets are $20 each or 6 for $100 and can be purchased by calling George O’Neal at 281-351-4976, ext. 225.

If you’d like to find out about other ways you can help, call Elaine Petranek at 281-351-4976, extension 219 or email her at elaine.petranek@boysandgirlscountry.org.

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04/15/09 4-H Springs into Action

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 05:18:29 GMT

Our children have participated in the 4-H program for years…and this spring, 4-H projects are just as challenging – and rewarding – as they ever were.

Hemi is raising a champion colt, named Zeus (or rather, re-named Zeus, after “Cash” and “Copper” didn’t stick!), and is devoting himself to Zeus’ care and training. Good luck on the upcoming shows, Hemi!

Hemi with his colt

We are also proud of Jovanni, Hemi, Nicolas, and Diondre for volunteering to help at a recent horse show held by the Greater Quarter Horse Association. They did a great job!

Christina and John are raising calves they fought hard for and won in the calf scramble. They just competed in their first progress show, with great results! John placed 5^th in showmanship, and Christina placed 7^th! This is just the beginning, and we know they will go far!

Christina with her calf

John with his calf

And don't forget the rabbits and goats!

Current 4-H Projects

Colt Project
Hemi

Heifer Projects
Christina
John

Goat Projects
Frank
Helen
Jovanni
Rhonda
Sherry
Taylor

Rabbit Projects
Ashley C.
Ashton
Brandi
Crystal
Denisha
Dominique
Frank
Hannah
John
Johnna
Jonathan
Nicolas
Raina
Rebekkah
Serriah
Suzie
Tanner
Taylor
Tiffany

Photography Projects
Rebekkah
Ashley C.

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04/03/09 Happy Easter!

Sun, 03 May 2009 00:58:17 GMT

The Easter Bunny – dressed as Ms. Kristi, the Education Lab Coordinator – came to Boys and Girls Country, with plenty of candy…and Easter celebrations.

One of our themes in the Education Program this year is the celebration of diversity, and our kids learned about “Easter Around the World”, through staff members who have lived (and celebrated Easter!) in other parts of the world. We followed the South American tradition of creating Easter artwork on the pavement…and followed that with an Easter egg hunt. Special thanks to our older girls who did a great job hiding the eggs throughout the courtyard!

We also celebrated students who "hopped to it" in school and earned a place on the Honor Roll for the first grading period of the semester.

Josh joins in celebrating Easter the South American way, by decorating the walkway (though we used chalk instead of flowers!)

And…they’re off!

Chad, photographer for the campus news journal, hops on the story and catches a rare sighting of the Easter bunny (our Education Lab Coordinator, Ms. Kristi)

Kaleigh with her findings from the Easter egg hunt

03/16/09 150 Volunteers Turn Out to Serve!

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 22:51:22 GMT

On a recent Saturday morning, the campus was packed with 150 volunteers from the University Area Rotary Club, Duchesne Academy, St. Thomas High School, and the Community of Faith. Each group brought talented individuals, including teens and adults, who were enthusiastic about making a difference in the lives of our children.

They cleaned the covered walkways and windows, deep cleaned two cottages, painted our Community Life Building, provided and hung over 40 hanging baskets, spread mulch, and planted flowers. By the time these energetic volunteers left around noon, the campus had been beautified in a variety of ways. Said one of our children, Kim, "Thank you so much for cleaning and making our yard beautiful. It looks amazing!"

Individuals and groups of all sizes are welcome to help us serve our children through their volunteer work. To become involved as a volunteer and make a difference in the lives of our children, please contact George O'Neal at 281.351.4976, ext. 225, or at george.oneal@boysandgirlscountry.org.

02/16/09 The Junior National Honor Society Inducts Two Girls From Boys and Girls Country

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:13:07 GMT

The children and staff at Boys and Girls Country celebrate Ashley and Tiffany who were inducted into the Junior National Honor Society at Waller Jr. High School. They have focused on academics through the help of staff and volunteer tutors. The excitement of these girls permeated the campus and set another high standard for our other girls and boys.

Many children who come to Boys and Girls Country are two to four grades behind their peers in school when they arrive, due to circumstances beyond their control. Through self-determination and hard work, along with the efforts of dedicated volunteer tutors and staff, they are able to reach grade level and accomplish new achievements, as Ashley and Tiffany have done.

Says Shirley Wright, Executive Director, "Our hats are off to Tiffany and Ashley for their success. We are proud of them and excited about how this positions them for future choices."

02/06/09 Community Children Knit Prayer Shawls for Girls at Boys and Girls Country

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:51:22 GMT

Children often want to help other children, but frequently don't find an avenue. Through the leadership of Adelle Muller-McKinstry and other mothers in the Houston area who are home schooling their children, elementary and middle-school aged children have made a difference for our little girls at Boys and Girls Country.

Girls and boys between the ages of 7 and 12 participated several months in a "Knit for Love" project where they knitted beautiful prayer shawls for our girls in the colors our girls had requested.

The goal of this project was to surround each of our girls in prayer as the knitting was being done. As each row was knitted, the child prayed that God bless the child. They represented children from Catholic, Episcopal, Methodist, and Baptist backgrounds.

02/02/09 2008 Friends of Children Honored At Board of Directors Annual Meeting

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 22:52:50 GMT

Mike Gatewood, Boys and Girls Country Chair, presented "Friend of Children" Awards to Bracewell & Guiliani, Wal-Mart employees, the Deacons of Deadwood, St. Francis Episcopal Church, the John P. McGovern Foundation, Schulte Building Systems, and Dick Richards for the impact they have made in providing Boys and Girls Country children their home. Each has given major support to the Home for several years including significant financial contributions and volunteer time.

Says Shirley Wright, Executive Director, "You are the partners to help our children reach their dreams. For all the children who you raise each year -- thank you!"

01/16/09 Five Year Olds Participate in "Kindergarten Camp"

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 23:00:11 GMT

We make learning at Boys and Girls Country fun and exciting for our children, and that is evident with our five year olds attending Kindergarten Camp.

On a recent morning, Michelle and Harley were busy at work in the Education Lab making their own "foot book", a project to improve their phonics skills. Since we recently received several copies of Dr. Seuss - The Foot Book through a Book Drive for Boys and Girls Country, each child was able to have their own copy to work from. They each made a cut out of their foot on construction paper, and then used their creativity to decorate their "feet".

The purpose of the Kindergarten Camp included:

making an educational assessment of each child
improving reading and math skills
keeping children engaged in educational activities during school breaks
giving children a book to take home, so that books become a regular part of their lives.

Says Kristi Camann in the Education Lab, "Our young children are often behind developmentally. Our goal is to help them build their skills in reading, writing, and math so they can be successful in school. Through the help of dedicated volunteer tutors, children can make tremendous gains throughout the year. The Kindergarten Camp is a great way to accomplish this for our five year olds. What do we need? More volunteer tutors to work one on one with the children."

For individuals interested in volunteering, they can contact George O'Neal at george.oneal@boysandgirlscountry.org or 281.351.4976, ext. 225.

12/09/08 Gym Closes Permanently at Boys and Girls Country - New Student Life Center Critically Needed!

Sat, 13 Dec 2008 16:24:04 GMT

The decision has been made to permanently close the Gym at Boys and Girls Country. Says Shirley Wright, Executive Director, "We thought we had the Gym aired out enough after the rain poured through the roof during Hurricane Ike....and we held the amazing San Jacinto High Rollers Toy Run there on December 7 (620 bikes with almost 1,000 riders!). However, in a staff meeting following the Toy Run, as we were planning Christmas parties, we heard that a few children had runny noses and other symptoms from whatever is in the air in the Gym. We want healthy children, so after 30 years of use, we have closed the Gym permanently."

The closed Gym will be a real loss for our children who have depended on it for basketball, volleyball, video and pool competition, space for parties, music and dance lessons, weight lifting, and a general 'hanging out' place. "This building has been a daily center of activity for our children, and the Gym space will be sorely missed", says Wright.

Boys and Girls Country is half way through an $8 million Capital Campaign to replace the worn out Gym -- to raise funds for a new Student Life Center and stop the flooding on the campus. Given our current situation with the closing of our Gym, the urgency of raising the $8 million is greater than ever. If you are interested in discussing how you can help replace the Gym by participating in the capital campaign, please contact Shirley Wright at 281.351.4976, ext. 214, or shirley.wright@boysandgirlscountry.org.

12/05/08 Vehicles Are Needed At Boys and Girls Country

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 21:38:03 GMT

With the rising energy costs that Boys and Girls Country has experienced during the year, a new plan has been implemented to improve fuel efficiency with vehicles used by our cottages. Our cottages currently drive 12 passenger vans when they take the "cottage family" on outings, but our goal is for the houseparents to use a more fuel efficient car, or mini van when only 1 or 2 children are being transported. The majority of cottage travel is short trips to school conferences and doctor and dentist appointments for one of the 8 children who live in each cottage. At those times, driving the large vans is just not efficient.

As we come to the end of 2008, we are requesting donations of cars and mini vans that will seat 4-5 people. We need vehicles that are are fuel efficient, and in good working condition. If you are interested in donating a car or mini van, please contact Elaine Petranek at 281.351.4976, ext. 219 or elaine.petranek@boysandgirlscountry.org.

12/04/08 Shopping at Barnes & Noble Can Benefit the Children at Boys and Girls Country

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:24:54 GMT

The Barnes & Noble Store at Champions Village in Houston has agreed to provide a Bookfair on December 10 to benefit the children at Boys and Girls Country and to also collect new and used books for our children during December. Used books can be dropped off at the store or at Parkway Chevrolet. These books will be placed in our library and cottages and used by our children.

Two of our youngest girls who are 5 years old and just beginning to learn to read would love having some books that are Disney related to keep in their rooms. Having their own books would make the girls feel special and encourage them to learn to read.

If you are shopping for books and related items for Christmas, you can benefit Boys and Girls Country by shopping at the Bookfair at the Barnes & Noble Store at Champions Village in Houston on Wednesday, December 10. Boys and Girls Country will receive a donation from Barnes & Noble based on their sales that day only if you use our Bookfair # 436980 when you check out and only on December 10. This is an opportunity for you to get some Christmas shopping completed early and also make a difference for our children here.

If you have questions regarding the upcoming Bookfair, please call or email George O'Neal at 281.351.4976, ext. 225 or george.oneal@boysandgirlscountry.org.

Boys and Girls Country News RSS Feed

3/28/2012 Roger Clemens Visits Our Kids!

3/14/2012 We need your help to make Spring Festival a success!

2/24/2012 Breaking Ground on Campus Chapel

2/15/2012 Thank You to Our Friends at Champion Energy!

2/2/2012 Creating Stop Motion Videos with Our Lemonade Day Friends!

1/27/2012 Thank You to Our 2011 Friends of Children!

1/20/2012 We celebrate education achievements!

12/25/2011 What a Merry Christmas!

12/19/2011 Meet Our Newest College Graduate!

11/21/2011 Happy Thanksgiving from Our Family to Yours!

11/18/2011 Thanks 'N Giving

11/03/2011 Heritage Award Dinner

10/04/2011 Waller County Fair Fun

09/02/11 We thank our volunteers!

08/23/11 Boys and Girls Country Night at Chili's in Cypress

08/03/11 Our Home Receives Grant from the Hogg Foundation

07/05/11 Volunteers Partner with Our Kids for a Mural!

06/08/11 Congratulations to the Class of 2011!

04/29/11 Boys and Girls Country in the News!

03/16/11 Read all about it! 10-year-old Meadow makes the Wall Street Journal news!

01/27/11 "Friend of Children" Award Recipients

12/17/10 Happy Holidays from Boys and Girls Country

11/18/10 What we are thankful for this Thanksgiving!

11/03/10 Heritage Award Dinner

10/01/10 Waller County Fair Results

08/15/10 Thank you for a great summer!

07/29/10 Boys and Girls Country's Got Talent!

07/24/10 Alumni Homecoming

07/22/10 A Photo Scavenger Hunt!

07/21/10 The Amazing Race at Boys and Girls Country!

07/14/10 Higher PSAT and SAT scores thanks to Test Masters!

06/22/10 The 24th Annual Children's Awards Banquet

06/16/10 Happy Father's Day!

06/05/10 Congratulations, Class of 2010!

05/18/10 Deacons of Deadwood Charity Ball to benefit our Home!

05/03/10 A Tribute to Moms...Plus, Our Top 10 Gift Ideas!

05/01/10 Thanks for a great Spring Festival!

04/06/10 We Thank Volunteers Who Help "Carry the Load"!

03/29/10 Honor Roll...and Kickball!

02/07/10 Super Bowl!

01/28/10 We Celebrate Friends of Children

01/22/10 The Honor Roll!

12/24/09 Happy Holidays from Boys and Girls Country!

12/06/09 The High Rollers 30th Annual Toy Run

11/11/09 Heritage Award Dinner

10/04/09 Waller County Fair Winners!

09/01/09 Penny Loyd Student Life Center: Now Open!

07/15/09 Summer Fun!

06/01/09 Congratulations, Class of 2009!

05/18/09 A Bake Sale Tale

05/02/09 Lemonade Day! (and Spring Festival update)

04/29/09 Spring Festival '09 Canceled

Boys and Girls Country Cancels Spring Festival

Torrential rains in the Hockley area have forced Boys and Girls Country to cancel their 33rd annual Spring Festival scheduled for Saturday, May 2nd.

04/15/09 4-H Springs into Action

04/03/09 Happy Easter!

03/16/09 150 Volunteers Turn Out to Serve!

02/16/09 The Junior National Honor Society Inducts Two Girls From Boys and Girls Country

02/06/09 Community Children Knit Prayer Shawls for Girls at Boys and Girls Country

02/02/09 2008 Friends of Children Honored At Board of Directors Annual Meeting

01/16/09 Five Year Olds Participate in "Kindergarten Camp"

12/09/08 Gym Closes Permanently at Boys and Girls Country - New Student Life Center Critically Needed!

12/05/08 Vehicles Are Needed At Boys and Girls Country

12/04/08 Shopping at Barnes & Noble Can Benefit the Children at Boys and Girls Country

Torrential rains in the Hockley area have forced Boys and Girls Country to cancel their 33^rd annual Spring Festival scheduled for Saturday, May 2^nd.