Press Releases

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Albuquerque and Rio Rancho along with University of New Mexico football head coach Mike Locksley have teamed up to host the first annual "1st and Goal" Gala.

Appointed to the Board of Directors in April of 2009 here in Albuquerque, coach Locksley has a long history with the Boys and Girls Club. Locksley grew up in the Washington D.C. area attending the Boys and Girls Club and has been on the Board of Directors while coaching at Illinois and now at UNM.

"Words alone can't express what the Boys and Girls Club did for me as a young man and a leader growing up in the D.C. area," said Locksley. "I have always been involved in the Boys and Girls Club and I am very honored to be on the Board of Directors here in Albuquerque. My hope is to provide opportunites to youth wherever it is possible. The 1st and Goal gala in February can really help the Boys and Girls Clubs of Albuquerque and Rio Rancho by supporting the programs they offer to area youth."

The "1st and Goal" gala will be the first event of its kind here in Albuquerque for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. The lineup consists of silent and live auctions where attendees can purchase sports memorabilia, special packages, and dinner along with a short program.

"Your contribution to the Boys and Girls Club, means we will be able to help train good citizens, who will become productive members of our society," said Board of Directors President James Pendergast. "Each day we strive to teach high moral values, the value of a good education, and an alternative to gangs, drugs, violence, and teen pregnancy."

"Things like "Power Hour," where we reinforce the need to do homework, and teaching the value of teamwork is an everyday occurrence. Your donation allows us to keep the doors open so that children have a safe place to go and prosper."

The 1st and Goal gala will be held at Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town on Saturday, Feb. 27 beginning at 6 p.m. Individual tickets are $150 and Tables are $1,500 with all proceeds going to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

The mission of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Albuquerque and Rio Rancho is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. For more information, log on to www.boysandgirlsabqrio.com or call (505) 881-0777.

To listen to the public service announcement taped by Coach Locksley: http://www.boysandgirlsabqrio.com//Images/Images/boysgirlsclubgalapsa.mp3

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12/2/09

2009 Payless Gives Shoes 4 Kids Program

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Albuquerque and Rio Rancho applied for and was granted one of 700 national grants for free new shoes to our members. Our clubs will receive gift coupons worth $15 each to purchase a new pair of shoes for each child in need. December 12th, children from each club will be transported to a local Payless ShoeSource store so that the children may choose a new pair of shoes. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Albuquerque and Rio Rancho serve over 1,900 children annually over 50% of which come from families classified as low income to poverty level and over 75% of our members live in a single parent household or are cared for by someone other than their parent.

The Payless Shoes 4 Kids Program is a grass roots effort to deliver $1.2 million of free shoes to children of families in need this holiday season. LuAnn Via, President of Payless ShoeSource says "We know that a great pair of shoes can lift the spirits, bolster self confidence and bring a huge smile to a child's face, especially when they get to pick out the shoes themselves, which makes the gift even more powerful. And together we know what an amazing holiday gift this will be to so many families and children."

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Albuquerque and Rio Rancho is a non-profit 501(c)3 charitable organization serving children ages 5 to 18 offering five core programming areas: Education & Career Development, Sports, Fitness and Recreation, Character and Leadership Development, Health and Life Skills, and Art Appreciation in two facilities located in the Bernalillo and Sandoval county areas.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12/04/09

Disney Store to "Share the Magic"

DISNEY STORE TO �SHARE THE MAGIC�

THIS HOLIDAY BY DONATING 100 TOYS TO

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF ALBUQUERQUE/RIO RANCHO

Guests are encouraged to donate new unwrapped toys to their local Disney Store

Albuquerque. New Mexico, Dec. 04, 2009 � Disney Store is reaching out to surrounding communities this year to �share the magic� by donating toys to local Boys & Girls chapters across America. On behalf of each of its locations in the United States, Disney Store will donate one hundred (100) toys to each of the local Boys & Girls chapters nearest such locations. Guests who shop at the Disney Store are also encouraged to bring in new unwrapped toys, which Disney Store will also donate this holiday season.

Disney Store supports the Boys & Girls Club mission to enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. The in-kind donation will serve to encourage young people involved with the Boys & Girls Club and to bring holiday cheer to local families.

For the first time, Disney Store has created a holiday video. Entitled �Share the Magic,� the video launching on Disney Living�s You Tube channel www.YouTube.com/DisneyLiving will guide guests through some of Disney Store�s best holiday gifts and also highlights Disney Store�s support of local Boys & Girls Clubs.

To find a Disney Store near you, visit DisneyStore.com/storelocator or call (866) 902-2798. Guests can also sign up for email alerts at www.DisneyStore.com/Updates, become a fan on Facebook www.facebook.com/DisneyStore or follow us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/DisneyStore) to stay connected to your favorite shopping destination!