ping pong table: Teens win club improvement funds

Thursday, July 6, 2006

Intrepid Keystone Club member Leah Mulrenan paints the one of the club's pool tables as part of their games room renovation project.

Woburn teens win AMEX sponsored video contest

Teens from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Woburn's Intrepid Keystone Club were one of only five groups around the country to win the "My Club's Future" video contest sponsored by American Express and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The program offered Boys & Girls Clubs across the country the opportunity to submit videos with ideas on how to improve their local chapter. One winner was selected from each of the five designated regions across the United States to receive a $5,000 cash award. More than 100 entries were submitted for consideration. The video produced by the Woburn teens with cooperation from the Woburn Public Media Center focused on improving their games room.



Club member Leah Mulrenan represented the Club at Boys & Girls Clubs of America's National Conference recently held in Boston for the award presentation.

Mulrenan and fellow Keystone Club members and staff worked diligently last weekend, prior to the first day of the club's summer session, to put their winnings to work. With funds in hand, they were able to purchase a new ping pong table, new foosball table, new games table, a variety of board games and new games room equipment and supplies. In addition to the new games, the club's pool tables were painted and recovered, an additional table was refinished, the club's games room counter was tiled and repainted and a fresh coat was paint was added.

"The Keystoners and staff did an amazing job pulling everything together in a short period of time to make their games room look really special, said Ron Chieves, the club's new assistant director. "The kids who came into the building for the first day of summer were incredibly excited. It shows how invested our teens are in their club and how much they care about it."

The "My Club's Future" video contest is part of a multi-faceted program by American Express to support the organization during its Centennial anniversary. The program, including contributions to the national organization as well as local clubs, will help BGCA to achieve its mission of providing a positive place for kids across the country. "American Express' long-standing support of our organization has truly had an indelible impact on BCGA at both a national and local level," said Evan McElroy, national vice president, marketing and communications, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "We're honored to have the support of American Express, their merchants and their card members to continue our work in being The Positive Place for Kids."

"American Express has for many years been a proud supporter of Boys & Girls Club of America and we share in the celebration of this tremendous milestone," said Lisa Gregg, vice president, marketing, American Express Establishment Services. "The work that BCGA carries out across the country has had an immeasurable impact on the lives of children and we are delighted to help that continue into their next hundred years.

"At the local level, American Express is pleased to sponsor the 'My Club's Future' contest. Each submission showed incredible creativity in demonstrating the needs of their club. We know the awards will go a long way in helping to fulfill the specific needs of these clubs."