For 47 years, Boys and Girls Country has relied on our community to provide for children from hard places. We are beyond blessed by the faithful support and prayers of so many. The Annual Friend of Children Awards recognizes donors, volunteers and community partners who have made a significant impact through their contributions of time, talent and treasure.
This year we honored a number of friends:
Champion Forest Baptist Church – Church Partner
CFBC has been a wonderful supporter of Boys and Girls Country for many years. The Cottage 2 family attends CFBC and has benefitted from scholarships for mission trips and church camp. This summer they sent six of our girls to camp at no cost to us. Allie Kretsinger mobilized her youth and their families to shop for presents, donate additional items, and host a fun Christmas party in the cottages for the kids.
Marsh & McLennan – Corporate Partner
They have been supporters of our kids and our mission for close to 20 years, generously underwriting both the Heritage Award Dinner and Spring Festival. In addition to being a donor, Marsh & McLennan has handled our insurance needs for over ten years.
Tokio Marine HCC – Corporate Partner
Tokio Marine HCC has been the title sponsor for the bike ride since it began in 2015. Each year their employees ride, man rest stops, work registration, and help with anything and everything. They take ownership of their role and their CEO, Chris Williams, has ridden with us for several years.
The Wayne Duddlesten Foundation – Foundation Partner
We are thankful the trustees of the foundation recognized that the work of Boys and Girls Country fits Mr. Duddlesten’s passion for education. Their generous support last year allowed us to provide over 2,200 hours of tutoring help to our kids, administer valuable educational assessments to better address educational needs, and provide a robust summer enrichment program.
NW San Jacinto High Rollers – Club Partner
The San Jacinto High Rollers are committed and generous friends to the BGC kids. Not only do they give generous in-kind gifts, since 1994 they have donated over $330,000 to the organization. We are so grateful for them and look forward to many, many more years of friendship.
Jay Aldis – Professional Services Partner
Jay Aldis is a Partner with Bracewell LLP whose expertise is employment law. He has provided quality guidance to BGC for navigating the employment law minefield.
Kim McCoy – From the Heart
As an advisor for the Currie Fund, Kim McCoy has helped us to secure over $62,000 in donations, and she and her husband Jeff have made generous personal gifts as well. For many years she and her family have been the Christmas sponsors for the Cottage 9 boys, celebrating with them and giving them wonderful Christmas memories.
Dayna Williams – Volunteer of the Year
In her short time volunteering with us, Dayna has jumped in with both feet, helping where ever needed including Spring Festival, tutoring, mentoring and assisting with reception. Like so many of our volunteers, Dayna’s family generously donates to our mission on a monthly basis.
Fern Basden – Lifetime Friend
Fern and Richard’s donor record with Boys and Girls Country goes back farther than our database and files. Although her husband Richard passed away in 1989, Fern continued to support BGC. In 1996, she became a “Founders” Friend and in 2008 made a major gift to our capital campaign, all the while maintaining faithful monthly gifts.
Texas Contract Floors – Business Partner
Texas Contract Floors have been long-time supporters. In 1996 they played a significant role in the remodel of the Recreation Center and Cottage 1 with Jerry Katchel Builders. In 1998, we started the task of a capital campaign with the renovation and expansion of all 11 cottages, building a new Education Building and renovating the Administration and Community Life Building.
Watford Family – Family Partner
Mike Watford set up a scholarship fund in the endowment in the name of his late wife Joanne, who was a volunteer at BGC. In addition to serving as a Board Director, he was the first one to fund a new cottage; the Joanne H. Watford Cottage was dedicated in November of 2016.
Mike’s son Jason and his family are also very involved with the Watford Cottage and with our Young Professionals Group.
Deputy Trey Fosdick – Education Partner
Deputy Fosdick is one of Waller High School’s Resource Officers, and he works for the Harris County Sherriff’s Department. He has been an educational partner of Boys and Girls Country for more than nine years. He has been building relationships with our kids for years and taught them how law enforcement works.
We are so grateful for their support and friendship! Thank you for growing our children for life!