Client Spotlight November 2021 – Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain

November 2, 2021

hey there, it's Caroline!

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The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain (BGCCP) changes lives every single day, and we are so honored to introduce the organization as our November 2021 Client Spotlight!

The BGCCP serves members 6 to 18 years old and encompasses 17 Clubs in 7 North Carolina counties including Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Greene, Lenoir, Martin, and Pitt.

They have 5 core program areas that are designed to drive positive outcomes for you and reinforce necessary life skills. 

  • Character & Leadership Development

  • Education & Career Development

  • Health & Life Skills

  • The Arts

  • Sports, Fitness, & Recreation

Caroline had the change to chat with Sonya Howell to learn more about the clubs.

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain

“The BGCCP is attempting to mitigate grade retention, youth dropping out of school, summer learning loss, Covid learning loss, gang involvement, teen pregnancy, childhood obesity, youth alcohol use, tobacco and drug use, and food insecurity,” Sonya said.

We’d say they are doing an amazing job!  Check out these stats from 2020.

  • More than 2,000 members served across 7 counties.

  • We served 62,715 hot, nutritious meals to our members and 35,207 snacks through our USDA food program.

  • Our members conducted more than 4,400 hours of community service, which equates to an economic impact of $119,763.

  • 86% of our club members had a C average or high in core academic subjects.

  • 63% of our club members exercised 5 or more days per week.

  • 75% of our teen members volunteered in their communities throughout the year.

  • 100% of our high school seniors graduated on time.


Caroline: CCM and the BGCCP go way back, almost 20 years now!

Debbie Chused, the founder of Coastal Connections Marketing, has always been a huge supporter of the Boys & Girls Club of the Coastal Plain.  I volunteered with the club in Kinston as a teenager, so I was familiar with it, but she was the one who introduced me to it as an adult through Kinston’s first BE GREAT Breakfast that she spearheaded in 2015.  There was not a dry eye in the room after the keynote speaker, and I called at least 3 people afterward to tell them they had to donate right away and attend the following year.  What you all do for the youth in our area is outstanding.  You changes lives every day.

Sonya: BGCCP depends on our community partnerships across seven counties. It is so important that we can contact CCM, describe what we’re looking for, and you have been part of the BGCCP family for so long, our request can be handled quickly and professionally! CCM is our “go-to” for Club and leader apparel, facemasks, water bottles (all essential for daily operations); and for all of our promotional items. Additionally, CCM has always been a great sponsor at our events! You are vital to our success, and we appreciate your partnership!

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BGCCP & CCM

Caroline: We’ll definitely include all of the links so everyone can read this post and donate!  So in 20 years, we’ve done a lot of products for you, but one stands out to me because of the message it sends.  You all do t-shirts for staff to wear in the clubs, but you have the word “Leader” on the back.  I would love to hear the background on using the word “Leader” rather than “staff”.

Sonya: Caroline, it has been a pleasure to work with you and CCM, and I cannot remember a time I didn’t depend on you, even before Lenoir County merged with Pitt County Clubs. We’ve been partners for a very long time, and I feel like when I need something, I just pick up the phone and call a friend!

As mentioned above, we use CCM apparel for full-time and part-time personnel. Our former COO said that “staff” was an infection, not a professional person. So, we use LEADER as someone who represents our organization in the day-to-day activities that involve Club members. Their jobs are to LEAD the members in activities, LEAD them in using like skills, LEAD them in forming healthy relationships, LEAD them in fun!

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Caroline: I love that so much.  I’m sure that one simple change sets a completely different tone for everyone.  I know we worked together on items when the clubs were able to reopen during Covid. Will you tell me about just a few of the challenges you overcame to get back open? I’m sure there were countless challenges, and you all made it happen for the kids!

Sonya: COVID-19 dramatically impacted the way in which youth development agencies work and support young people and their families. In adherence to guidance from the Governor of NC, BGCCP ceased operations to Club members, while working to build virtual platforms to serve young people who had access to technology and to connectivity.  Made up of teams of officers and leaders, we have been able to offer virtual programming in the areas of Academic Success, Healthy Lifestyles, and Good Character and Citizenship, as well as Teen Programming.  

For members with little or no connectivity, BGCCP produced Club@Home kits for our youth and teens, to be delivered when hot meals are served by our organization and partner agencies. 

Additionally, because COVID-19 has caused all of our fundraising events to be cancelled, we have had to adjust our fundraising strategies.

Finally, BGCCP worked to provide additional tutoring / educational enhancement opportunities to mitigate both summer learning loss but also COVID-19 related learning loss. In the meantime, BGCCP worked to open operations a few Clubs at a time, testing new program methodology and enhanced safety protocols and procedures. 

We are slowly getting back to pre-Covid membership numbers! We are operational at all 17 sites, and the kids are excited to be back! BGCCP just completed their first summer program after being closed for members last summer.

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Caroline: What is your most-used or favorite promotional product, and what is the logo/organization on it?  (It does not have to be a CCM or BGCCP product!)

Sonya: Well, it is a CCM product!  Our water bottles with the BGCCP logo are currently being used by every member within the organization! Due to the pandemic, we had to turn off water fountains, and replace them with bottle fillers. Every member has their own bottle, and fills it at the water filler.

Likewise, our cloth facemasks with our logo are also one of the top items we use from CCM. We have ordered in 5 different colors, and our staff are required to wear them at all times on Club property. With nearly 200 employees and volunteers, these facemasks have become a staple at BGCCP!!

BGCCP orders all of their logo collared shirts and logo t-shirts for our organization. Collared shirts are worn by full-time staff and Board members, and t-shirts are worn by all Club members! CCM keeps us clothed!!

Please don’t forget our promotional items from CCM. From coffee mugs, water bottles, logo table cloths, etc., we use CCM products for new Board members, new employees, giveaways, prizes, and stewardship visits.

It’s impossible to narrow it down to one or two choices, so I included them all!

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Caroline: I totally understand!  Y’all have good stuff!  I know you are so busy.  I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to do this with me, Sonya!

I encourage you to learn more about your local Boys & Girls Clubs.  Look no further when considering your end-of-year giving.  A donation to the BGCCP is an investment in kids’ futures and an investment in your community. Head to their website linked below to donate!

For more information on the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain:

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hey there, it's Caroline!

Categories

We love working with our clients 1:1 to find the perfect products for their projects.  In our posts, you'll find lots of examples of previous projects, our favorite products, our process, and small business tips.  We look forward to working with you!

Client Spotlight

Products

Process

Small Business

Project

Start A

Click here to contact us to get your project started!

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