What's Happening

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Georgia has purchased six acres of land adjacent to the Brunswick
Exchange Club Fairgrounds for the Elizabeth Correll Teen Center. Groundbreaking for the Teen Center, a 20,000 square foot facility, began in early April, with opening anticipated in the Spring of 2009, according to Brian Dolan,
Chief Professional Director for the Boys & Girls Clubs.

The new Teen Center is named in honor of Elizabeth Correll, the mother of former Georgia- Pacific chairman and CEO, A.D. “Pete” Correll. According to the Center’s Vision Statement, the facility will “deliver accessible, progressive, fun programs and services that energize, educate and empower boys and girls to become contributing members of their family, their Club and their community.” Correll, a native of Brunswick, and his wife Ada Lee donated one million dollars to launch the project fundraising. The Corrells have subsequently created an additional grant whereby they will match every dollar donated up to one million. “My father died when I was 12. My mother had to work long hours at our family’s store, Correll’s Men’s Shop, on Newcastle Street,” he said. “That was a time when the community was small, and we all watched out for each other; but now times have changed. Today, in many families, both parents work. Statistics overwhelmingly show that 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. is when teens get into trouble.” Statistics emphatically support Correll’s message and prove the positive effect on those youth participating in The Boys & Girls Clubs: a 15% increase in the overall grade point average; an 87% decrease in school absences; a 22% reduction in overall drug activity; a 50% reduction in pregnancy rates; and a 13% reduction in juvenile crime.

The ultimate impact of the building campaign will be that The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Georgia will serve an additional 1,500 young people, including 1,000 teens. Spanning a variety of programs including education, the Teen Center will provide one-on-one help with homework in a structured environment with adult guidance, tutoring, and personal encouragement for success in school. Other programs include sports, fitness and recreation, health and life skills, career development, character and leadership skills, artistic expression and art appreciation. The goal is to encourage teens to prepare for college and to teach them employable skills.

The Boys & Girls Clubs and the Capital Campaign Committee are asking that the citizens and businesses of Glynn County step up and step forward financially in support of the Elizabeth Correll Teen Center. To learn more and to make your donation, contact Brian Dolan at the Boys & Girls Club at 912.265.1455.

For years women’s roles in social causes have been the organizer, the phone answerer, the stamp licker. Now more and more women are starting to add another line to that resume: check writer. “Women’s philanthropy is a rising trend. We’re seeing women with access to financial resources, as never before,” said Kathy LeMay, President and CEO of Rising Change.

United Way of Coastal Georgia harnesses the power of women’s philanthropy for the greater good in our own community through the efforts of the Women’s Giving Alliance (WGA). Founded by a group of corporate, civic and community women leaders, the Alliance’s key strategy is working together to improve the quality of life for families and children in the Golden Isles through leadership, philanthropy, and advocacy. WGA expands women’s ability to be strong voices and achieve results in the non-profit arena by maximizing the number of women pooling their time, talent, and financial resources toward specific goals. Working together, women can identify and illuminate critical Power of the Purse what’s happening (continued) social service issues and bring to the forefront the positive impact that women can have on a community. They embody the delicate balance of strength and compassion, fight for their beliefs, and are strong collaborators who know how to get things done. Women’s Giving Alliance of United Way of Coastal Georgia announces their first annual Power of the Purse fundraiser scheduled for May 22, 2008, from noon until 2:00 pm, at the Jekyll Island Convention Center. Trisha Simms, WGA Chair, is pleased to announce that best selling Southern author Ronda Rich will be the guest speaker. Rich is best known for her book What Southern Women Know (That Every Woman Should). A storyteller of bodacious southern proportions, she weaves tales of Southern life that range from hilarious to heart-warming, all the while encouraging women to be change agents in their communities. Tickets are available through the United Way of Coastal Georgia for $50 per person or $400 for a table of 8 by calling 912.265.1850, ext. 301. For more information call WGA Chair, Trisha Simms, Financial Advisor, Ameris Bank Financial Services/Raymond
James Financial Services at 912.634.1645.