Special Events

Spreading Christmas Cheer

Kids from the Fairfax Region clubs had every reason to be merry this Christmas season.

Each club celebrated their traditional Christmas parties with the usual sprinkling of fun, food and entertainment. The Herndon Club's party was made more special with the presence of some Board Members who joined the kids in the celebration.

The parties were also the venue for a lot of gift-giving activities which made sure that the kids didn't come home empty-handed. With the help of Borders Books, club members were able to pick out the books they liked to read and own. Operation Warm continued with the yearly donation of coats which were distributed to the younger club members.

The week after, new members were treated to shopping with a few Board Members at the JC Penny store at Fair Oaks mall. David Dolton from the Redskins organization, Chuck Pena from Fairfax Access, and Mike Hagan from Lee Technologies joined 15 kids in fulfilling their Christmas wish list.

Tigers in Waiting

Kids from the Culmore Character Club got to swing away with golf clubs at the driving range of the East Potomac Golf Course in Washington DC. Golf pro Coach Byron supervised 11 club members and taught them the basics of the game over 10 afternoon sessions sponsored by First Tee. Coach Byron was optimistic that there will be another set of lessons to come to continue developing the potential in a few kids.

An ESPN Christmas

The Alexandria and Culmore Character Clubs were among 5 clubs invited by the Washington Nationals to their ESPN Christmas party. It was a welcome treat for kids to enjoy the facilities, feast on ample servings of delicious favorites, and come home with gift packs of electronic toys and official Washington Nationals items. The occasion was even made more special by the presence of Screech, the official mascot, and Luis Ayala, the Nationals' rookie pitcher who gamely signed autographs for the kids.

Guitars Not Guns

Guitars Not Guns, a non-profit organization, brought guitar lessons to the children from the Culmore and Herndon Clubs. The program, under the same title, invites instructors to teach kids on how to play the guitar. Those who have shown a genuine interest in playing the instrument get to own their guitars at the end of the 10-week session.

Run Kids Run!

Last October 27, BGCGW Club members from the Culmore Character Club and the FBR Branch participated in the Marine Corps Marathon's Kids Fun Run in the North Pentagon Parking lot. Sponsored by VSP, a West coast based vision care company.

Club members used this experience as an extension of their participation in the Health & Life Skills program, FitU. Kids joined a 1 mile run and played board games at the different activity tents.