Parents, donors celebrate success at Boys & Girls Club Champions for Kids Breakfast

LACONIA — Supporters of the Boys & Girls Club of the Lakes Region gathered at The Margate on Tuesday morning to hear from parents, donors and sponsors about the importance of an organization working to keep kids safe. 

Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction Executive Director Jennifer Kelley started the annual Champions for Kids Breakfast by telling the group about her daughter, who was seriously hurt in a car accident on her 12 birthday in Connecticut, 16 years ago. As she recovered, she was inspired by the outpouring of support from her classmates and community. Kelley and her daughter started an organization called “Kids Helping Kids,” a nonprofit to facilitate leadership skills through youth-led service projects. It is still going strong, and is headquartered at the Boys & Girls Club in Stamford, Connecticut.

“So, I have spent just under two decades working with the Boys & Girls Club kids,” Kelley said. “Really watching these children grow and thrive under this incredible umbrella of love, guidance and mentorship.”

In her current role with the Children’s Auction, her nonprofit funds the Boys & Girls Club and its Early Learning Centers, because they know the value of investing in young lives, she said.

“The Boys & Girls Club does it so well,” Kelley said. “At the club’s Early Learning Centers and afterschool programs, children can find safe places to belong. They find caring teachers and mentors, and so many opportunities to learn and to grow. As you’ll learn today, the Boys & Girls Club and Early Learning Center staff have the potential to shift children’s lives.”

Chris Kelly of the Platinum Group at RE/MAX Bayside shared news that a group of donors recently made a leadership gift of $115,000. Kelly also led the charge in requesting attendees consider giving to the cause which helps children all around the Lakes Region.

“Whatever you give today, including the gift of your time, we are sincerely appreciative for the support for our kids,” Kelly said.

“You can help build and develop the front-line staff who are absolutely critical in effective programming here at the Boys & Girls Club.”

For many kids in the club, this provides the only afterschool enrichment they experience, Kelly explained. Gifts help with access to sports instruction, drama, fine arts and more.

Local funding also helps ensure children can enjoy a high-quality early education and youth development program in a “safe and nurturing environment.”

The Champions for Kids Breakfast was a chance to not only honor those who have helped keep the organization running full steam ahead, but also to meet some of the children involved. Children like Emmie MacAuley and Charlotte Verryt, both 7-year-olds from Laconia, greeted the crowd as they entered for the event. The children sat amongst the supporters, chowing down on breakfast sandwiches and chatting about what they enjoyed about the programs.

Chris Emond, who has been the chief executive officer of Boys & Girls Club of Central and Northern New Hampshire for the past 25 years, said the organization continues to grow, change and expand.

“Another great year here in the Lakes Region.”

Emond asked the crowd if they had ever been bullied, and then if they had ever witnessed bullying. The big question, he said, is about what they did about it if they saw it. Many people would just stand by and watch, and he questioned why. Emond said this is the safe option, and some people also don’t think it is their business. This is different at the Boys & Girls Club.

“At the Boys & Girls Club, we strive at hiring adults who will do something about that, when they see something like that,” Emond said. “It takes courage and a certain amount of fortitude to be able to do that.”

Emond said the U.S. democratic process depends on people standing up and being that brave person. He spoke of people like Rosa Parks, who stand up for what they believe in.

“One individual can change history,” Emond said. “That’s what we want for our kids. Our mission is to develop good citizens, so if we’re going to do that, this is the heart of doing that.”

Emond said the children need to be safe, both physically and emotionally, which they can feel by having positive adult role models.

Emond said he loves how the organization is always doing something new. The Lakes Region Clubhouse was completed this year, which included putting in new windows and a heating system, making the building more energy-efficient, because every dollar saved on heat goes back into the club.

This summer, they also started rebuilding a playground at Lakes Region Childcare Services, an organization which merged with the Boys & Girls Club several years ago.

“We are working with kids right at the beginning of their life,” Emond said.

Emond also said simply staying open has been an accomplishment, and noted early childhood teachers are hard to come by. Retaining quality employees continues to be their No. 1 challenge. To combat this, Emond said the club has reassembled its original advisory board, who will help in making decisions on a local level.

“This organization is not afraid to take on things,” Emond said. “That’s another thing that makes me love working here. Because it’s not just me, it’s the staff and the board.”

Jeanie Forrester, a member of the selectboard in Meredith who has been a longtime supporter of the club, spoke highly of the program, and the work Emond has led.

“This has all made me so inspired to get involved,” Forrester said.

After a video highlighting club success stories, parent Elizabeth Piper spoke about her 3-year-old son Robbie, who attends Belmont Early Learning Center. He was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called Angelman syndrome, which causes intellectual disabilities, speaking difficulties and seizures. One silver lining is that he has a constant happy demeanor.

At 2 years old, Robbie was still crawling and needed assistance for most activities. Piper wanted him with children his age, and was met with resistance and discrimination, which angered and discouraged her. She went on a search for a good program for Robbie, and after several spots that didn’t fit for several reasons, they eventually landed on Belmont Early Learning Center. Robbie immediately went into the arms of teachers, played with toys, and seemed comfortable.

“Robbie quickly integrated in with his peers and loved all of his teachers,” Piper said.

After about a year with Belmont Early Learning Center, Robbie has improved on all levels “by leaps and bounds.

“The wonderful teachers and warm environment were the boosts he needed to succeed,” Piper said.

“We are so thankful to have found the Belmont Early Learning Center.”