The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale Lehi Branch, which serves youth from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, is pleased to announce renovations to its facility, which includes the construction of a performance stage complete with lighting and sound system, upgraded fitness equipment, a computer lab, décor improvements and a painted mural representing the Native American culture.
These renovations were made possible by a $50,000 donation from State Farm through Major League Baseball’s 2011 State Farm Home Run Derby at Chase Field in Phoenix.
Raquelle Enos, a 15-year-old member of the Club, was paired with New York Yankees All-Star second baseman and 2011 State Farm Home Run Derby Champion Robinson Cano to win her Club the donation.
“I’m glad I was able to hit so many home runs so that these kids get to enjoy this new teen center,” Cano says. “I had a lot of fun that night with Raquelle, and it’s great to see MLB and State Farm give so much back to the community.”
This year is a special one for the Boys & Girls Clubs and their Native American partners at Lehi – it marks the 20th anniversary of Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Native American communities working together to serve youth. Today, more than 200 Clubs are on Native American lands. In addition, it marks the 10th anniversary of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale’s Lehi Branch. The Lehi Branch, a collaborative effort between the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale and the Lehi Community Center, opened in 2002. It is the second branch to serve Native youth on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
“The teenagers at the Lehi Branch have been excited and highly involved in the re-design of the teen center,” says Steve Davidson, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale. “The addition of a separate technology area will provide multiple education and visual arts opportunities, and the upgraded fitness equipment will help emphasize our healthy lifestyle programs. The renovation has made the teen center feel more like home while providing additional program opportunities that will support our Club for years to come.”
In addition to the Lehi Branch, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale also have a Red Mountain Branch, which is on the Salt River Pima Maricopa Reservation as is Lehi, and the Peach Springs Branch, which is on the Hualapai Reservation.
The eight participating American and National League hitters in the 2011 State Farm Home Run Derby totaled 95 home runs during the competition, 11 of which were hit with Rawlings “Gold Baseballs.” Each Gold Ball generated a donation of $18,000 per ball from State Farm and MLB to various charities, including Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA). In addition, State Farm donated $3,000 for each non-Gold Ball home run. The home run display generated a donation of $483,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of America on behalf of State Farm and MLB.
“As a longstanding supporter of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Major League Baseball shares and supports their commitment to affecting the lives of young people in a positive way,” says Tom Brasuell, vice president of community affairs, Major League Baseball. “We are grateful for State Farm’s generosity through the State Farm Home Run Derby and are proud to work with them to support community programs that have proven to be effective.”
“The power of a home run can be a game changer, just like the power of caring adults who provide a safe and positive environment for young people,” says Pal El, marketing vice president at State Farm. “We are proud to join with Major League Baseball and Boys & Girls Clubs of America to help change the game and the future for young people here in the Scottsdale area and throughout the country. After all, a focus on the future and helping our customers and communities get to a better state is at the core of what we do every day at State Farm.”
State Farm also awarded an additional $120,000 to the Greater Phoenix area Boys & Girls Clubs as part of the Home Run Derby Player “Match-up” program. Enos was one of eight members from local Boys & Girls Clubs chapters who were matched with Home Run Derby participants for a chance to win $50,000 for his or her Club. State Farm awarded each of the other seven participants’ Clubs a $10,000 donation.
For more information about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale and its renovations made possible by the MLB, visit bgcs.org.
Alison Bailin Batz and her team at HMA Public Relations in Arcadia volunteer their time with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale on their proactive media relations activities as well as special events.
