May 15th, 2009

DBA'ers,

Sometimes.....in our busy lives, it is important not only do the things we know are right, but also take a second and remember why we do them. Please read the following.

The mission statement for the Boys & Girls Club is:

Our Mission is the Movement's Reason for Being

To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

A Boys & Girls Club Provides

A safe place to learn and grow...

Ongoing relationships with caring, adult professionals...

Life-enhancing programs and character development experiences...

Hope and opportunity.

In Jackson County, close to 200 children are served by our Boys and Girls Clubs with facilities located in Jefferson and Commerce. Having double the everything in one organization is both a blessing to our communities and an extra responsibility. I won't ramble much about the blessings children bring to us or the responsibilities we have to them. All you really need to know is written in the Mission Statement and maybe a quick look in the mirror.

Last fall, DonByramArt sponsored the first YART SALE where our customers, communities, corporate partners, charity organizations, and just plain folk donated new, used, old, wonderful, meaningful, not-so-meaningful, extra, weird, personal art they had at their houses or businesses or in the old rusted school bus that they used to take to deer camp every fall. It was wonderful and a little amazing what came into the store in support of our Boys & Girls Club. We had everything from original oil paintings of flowers carefully painted by Grandmothers to prints of a surface to air missile system by Rayatheon. We raised $1100 in two days......$5 and $10 at a time. Not a huge fundraiser by a lot of standards, but not too bad for a first time out either. And Janice, VC, and I were pretty old fashioned proud of it:)

This Memorial Day weekend (Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th) we are doing it again.

First, we need art donations. Whether you are reading this from home, work, school, or wherever, take a look around. We need art. All kinds of art. Whether it hangs from a wall or sits on a table or lives in the garden. If you thought it was art, cute, interesting or just a strange gift from a distant relative at sometime or another.....we want it! Most of us have "objects de arte" that we don't know what to do with or feel bad about throwing them away because of how we received them (or how much we paid for it!!!). That's what we are looking for! Not only do you get to feel good about recycling and finding a good home for some art, it is also tax deductible since it is considered a donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs. We have a very broad definition of art, so very, very little will be considered "not art". We need these donations between now and next Thursday the 21st. To quote Larry the Cable Guy....."Get R Done!!"

Second, we need you to visit us over the Memorial Day weekend and shop!! Last fall, we had people who bought art to finish their game room in the basement, gifts for people they liked and some they didn't, they needed the frame the art came in, and art for their office and/or home. A little bit of it all!! We have also already contacted Jim Cantore at The Weather Channel and he has given us a green light for great weather.

The YART SALE is truly a win-win event for everyone. You win and feel good by donating and buying, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Jackson County win, and most importantly, the children we are blessed with and are responsible for in our communities win!!