Boys & Girls Club of Venice

CLUB EARNS NATIONAL HONORS AT NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Boys & Girls Club of Venice receives Honor Award for Program Excellence
by Erikk Aldridge

On May 20, the Boys & Girls Club of Venice received a prestigious Honors Awards for Program Excellence in Sports, Fitness and Recreation at the 2007 Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Conference. The award sponsored by the Metlife Foundation is given to only five clubs nationwide who have demonstrated excellence in one of the five core program disciplines set forth by BGCA.

The club received the award at the conference finale dinner in front of over 2,000 people. The award was received on stage by board president Cathy Hession, executive director Erikk Aldridge and director of operations Armando Diaz.

The club has a comprehensive sports, fitness and recreation program for all club members, including an innovative year-round sailing program sponsored and supported by the Fairwind Yacht Club, California Department of Boating and Waterways, the LA84 Foundation (formerly known as the Amateur Athletic Foundation). Since receiving the award, the club has expanded its summer sailing program, and added a competitive sailing program sponsored the Ridgestone Family Foundation.

In addition to sailing, the club’s Play Now Initiative is committed to providing quality and organized athletic teams and recreation activities that give club members the opportunity to enhance their overall physical fitness, and develop their competitive spirit, while understanding the principles of teamwork. Competitive sports in the Play Now lineup include basketball, soccer, flag football and sailing. Intramural and recreational activities include sailing, volleyball, swimming, running and dance/cheer.

Honor Award is presented to Erikk Aldridge, board President Cathy Hession and Armando Diaz

CLUB OPENS RENOVATED GYM
WITH THE LA LAKERS

On Thursday, March 29, the Club joined with the Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation to dedicate the renovated gymnasium at the Club. Club members received an extra surprise as current Lakers Maurice Evans and Vladimir Radmanovic attended the dedication ceremony. Immediately following the ceremony, the players hosted a basketball clinic for 50 club members on the court where they were taught the fundamentals of basketball as well as the importance of teamwork and education.

The Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation sponsored the renovation of the Club’s new gymnasium, which features a state of the art hardwood floor, wall appliqués featuring Los Angeles Lakers players, court signage and other needed repairs and updates. For more pictures of the ceremony and clinic, click HERE.