More than 175 people came to the Club on June 5, 2009 in order to celebrate the Club's amazing year and recent achievements.  The event was designed to say "thank you" to everyone involved in making Wallingford Boys and Girls Club a success this year, including staff, board, capital project volunteers, and donors.

Former advisory board president Bob Wicklein was the sixth person inducted into WBGC's Honorary Board.  During his remarks, he talked about how he had vowed not to get involved with fundraising - right before he joined the WBGC board and ultimately helped guide the Club's 1.3 million capital campaign.  Honorary Board members Dick Spady, Mike Peck and Suzie Burke were on hand to welcome Bob into their elite group.

Burke also received a lifetime membership gold-plate card to the Club.  Senior Program Director Adam Monda jokingly informed her that it would entitle her to stop by for a snack any afternoon.

One of the biggest projects of the year, the completion of the exterior courtyard and fence, was celebrated.  Landscape architect Susan Black was on hand to be honored for all of her wonderful (and completely donated) design work, as was Daniel Lowry of Queen Anne Gardens, who helped bring her design to life.  Fence artists Rodman Miller and Mimi Riley were also on hand to be honored for their beautiful work on the glass and metal fence.

Several donors were awarded plaques for contributing more than $2500 in operational funds during the 08-09 fiscal year, and community partners including schools, child care agencies, and government entities were also given plaques and certificates.

Staff members with more than two years of experience were given gifts to honor their commitment to youth development, while several full time staff received official Boys & Girls Clubs of America years of service award.  Boys & Girls Clubs of King County CEO Daniel Johnson gave 10-year service pins to both Monda and Associate Executive Director Meghan Sweet.  Club Executive Director Nita Smith received her 20-year service pin, along with a standing ovation from the audience.

WBGC youth got into the act, too, by helping to prepare and serve dinner, along with selling raffle tickets before the event, and helping to direct the audience to their seats.  All four sites' kids were represented by two video segments highlighting all four locations' accomplishments this year. 

Although the event was not a fundraiser, nearly $4000 was raised through raffle ticket sales and the dessert dash, which generated many laughs and applause as donors bid for the right to pick first from a range of amazing donated desserts.

The June 5th event was the first of what will become an annual recognition event.

June 2009