Boys & Girls Club of South Alabama honored employees, volunteers, community activists, and supporters for their immeasurable contributions at its annual Board Meeting October 20 at Heron Lakes Country Club.
Board Member Robin Hanes received New Board Member of the Year honors for the State of Alabama in August at the Alabama-Mississippi-Louisiana Tri-State Alliance Conference. Hanes has actively engaged and sought ways to understand the organization and help fulfill the mission of helping all young people reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
Bruce Coldsmith, Coldsmith, Ryder, and Associates received 2022 New Board Member of the Year honors for his dedication to BGCSA’s mission through his participation in our Finance Committee and as Chair of the Board’s Endowment Task Force. He’s quick to share his belief in our mission and helped secure a significant donation from a new Foundation.
Felecia Hosey, SSAB, is the 2022 Board Member of the Year.
She currently serves on the Youth of the Year Committee and as a Member-At-Large, in addition to serving as our South Alabama Council Liaison, Vice Chair for the Boys & Girls Clubs’ Alabama Area Council, and on the 2022 annual meeting committee for the Tri-State Alliance. She worked tirelessly to champion BGCSA to her employer, resulting in the company’s increased financial and volunteer involvement.
Cassaundra Burks, Renasant Bank, was named the Program Volunteer of the Year for donating her time and talent to Club kids through financial education, public speaking tips, and assisting with Advocates for Girls and other mentoring programs. Thank you, Cassaundra, for doing “whatever it takes.”
Sandra Hawkins described as “the backbone of our Club,” received the Owen B. Gaston Part-Time Employee of the Year for her work as a membership Clerk at Sonny Callahan Branch for the past 19 years. Hawkins has committed her career to make a difference in the lives of children and their families.
Congrats to the following Full-Time Employees of the Year award winners,
BGCSA William Burks, Optimist Branch Director, is described as a man of character who cares about the well-being of children. For the past 15 years, he’s led with his heart. He identifies concerns and finds solutions. Cooking and water safety classes were created to address food insecurity and prevent future water accidents. P.O.I.N.T.E. Academy’s Transition Specialist, Harrietta Eaton, helped POINTE see the largest number of seniors graduate from the school in the last eight years. She’s exposed students to career pathways and works diligently to meet both academic and personal needs. Her tireless efforts, sense of humor, and rapport with the students create a positive classroom environment that promotes learning, and she exemplifies the true definition of an educator. Strickland Youth Center’s, LaShaunda Glass has been a teacher at Strickland Youth Center for four years. She’s earned the respect of her students that physical altercations have been averted due to her fair and firm attentiveness to situations. She is generous with her time and resources and always willing to help. Professional in all that she does, Ms. Glass is an invaluable member of the education staff.
Years of Service Recognition (BGCSA/POINTE)
The following staff members were recognized for their years of service to the organization. And received their service pin and certificate. Thank you for your commitment and “doing whatever it takes to build great futures.”
5 years of service:
Darnell Davis (POINTE)
Joycelyn Obikoya (POINTE)
Karen Lakeman (Administration)
Quincy Campbell (Kiwanis Club)
Rosa Monteiro (Operations)
15 years of service:
Cheryln Harris (Semmes Club)
Lawrence Maye (POINTE)
Tyreese Earl (Operations)
Vicky Malone (Semmes Club)
William Burks (Optimist Club)
Zackhary Todd (Kiwanis Club)
20 years of service:
Jermaine West (Operations)
Timothy Johnson (POINTE)
30 years of service:
Bretland Williams (POINTE)
Carlis Timmons (Kiwanis Club)
For their contributions and support of the BGCSA, seven organizations received 2022 Appreciation Awards, Mr. Bruce Mitchell and Dr. Barbara Mitchell, Mr. Mitchell is founder and President of the Mobile Chapter of the 9th & 10th Cavalry Association, known as the Buffalo Soldiers. He and his wife share their time and knowledge with our young people, and invest in the future of our Club kids as major donors. Florence Foundation, new foundation donors investing in our youth; Frios Pops, generous donors both financially, and with their delicious frozen pops for the enjoyment of our Club kids Veronica Coleman, Principal of Chastang Elementary School, who was very supportive of our youth programs at her school during our time there. Melanie Winter (Hollinger’s Island Elementary School), Principal of Hollinger’s Island Elementary School, who was especially welcoming and accommodating with staffing changes and Club needs at their location. Cheryl Streeter, also known as “The Cupcake Lady”, Chyrel loves our kids at the Kiwanis Club Sponsor and ensures that cupcakes are delivered every month to those celebrating a birthday; Cheryln Harris, dedicated and long-time, part-time staff member who deeply cares about her Club kids. Most recently, she proved excellent administrative assistance during the closeout of our school-based Clubs; Jennifer Mosely, Director, Bernard Malkove Club, Our Director of two years at the Bernard Malkove Club, she has created a warm, welcome, and positive environment where our children feel safe and loved.
Community organizations, staff and volunteers received the Helping Hands Award for their enduring dedication and stewardship to making a positive difference in the lives of Club members and BGCSA organization. Awardees are Bank on Alabama, financial literacy classes; Drug Education Council, drug and alcohol prevention workshops, training and educational materials to our Clubs; Ron Garrett & Walmart Stores, Ron has worked with Walmart to ensure that masks and sanitation products were donated for Club use during the pandemic, donated backpacks and school supplies, and support our efforts to obtain Walmart Community Grants; Hargrove Foundation, has been a generous financial supporter of BGCSA for many years, and impacts our youth in indirect ways such as offering STEM classes and supporting our annual events such as the Youth of the Year luncheon and the golf tournament; Bernadine McCaskill, The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program through Extension Alabama’s A& M and Auburn Universities is vitally important to our Clubs; Damian McGaskin, a volunteer dedicated to the girls’ softball and basketball programs at the Kiwanis Club; Tiffany Pogue – From a Club kid on Cody Road, to BGCSA Youth of the Year in 2018, to joining the staff three years ago as photographer and now in her role as Social Media Director, Tiffany’s passion for our organization and desire to make a difference in kids’ lives spills over in to all she does. Rebekka Wolfe, As the Resource Development Assistant, Rebekka has developed usable data and solutions through her research skills and knowledge. Her transformation of our donor database into a more accurate resource has resulted in a dramatic increase in individual giving. Rebekka carries out consistent, meaningful cultivation and stewardship of donors, and is willing to pitch in and help wherever needed in the administrative office.
Man & Youth Awards – recognizes an individuals for enduring commitment and generous contributions to the young people of Boys & Girls Clubs. This year, we gratefully recognize Rev. David Frazier, Sr. and Jermaine West.
Rev. Frazier , Sr. is Pastor of Revelation Missionary Baptist Church, a former Club kid, and board member since 2006. He’s affiliated with several community organizations and task forces committed to confronting the challenges faced by young people and their families. His years of dedication to our board of directors speaks to his belief in our mission and is a testimony to his experience as a child attending a Boys & Girls Club. Now, taking on the responsibilities as our Board Chairman, we recognize that Rev. David Frazier defines “enduring commitment” to our youth.
Jermaine West has spent the last 20 years making an enormous difference in our organization. From his first position as Branch Director in Mount Vernon and other Clubs to his current position as Director of Teen Services, his unwavering commitment to our youth and teens has impacted thousands. He has guided our youth toward successful entries into the adult world, including college, careers, and family life. Jermaine exemplifies what commitment to our youth should look like. He has shown that no sacrifice is too big for “his” kids. Jermaine will literally give you the shirt off his back – at this year’s Youth of the Year luncheon, one of the teens appearing on stage showed up without the appropriate attire. Without hesitation, Jermaine patiently waited in the men’s room, having loaned his suit to the young man. This is one small example of his dedication and willingness to do “whatever it takes to build great futures.” Jermaine was also awarded Full-Time Professional of the Year at the 2022 Boys & Girls Clubs State of Alabama All staff Conference.
Woman & Youth Award – recognizes individuals for their enduring commitment and generous contributions to the young people of Boys & Girls Clubs. Brenda Carlisle and Gloria Williams are the recipients of the Woman & Youth Award
Gloria Williams, formerly a dedicated art and dance Program Assistant, hiring with us in the early 1990’s and working at two of our Clubs. After retiring from BGCSA in 2017, Williams is now back at our Kiwanis Club through the AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent program, whose mission is to provide services to children and youth with exceptional needs. She shares her love for art with Club kids by teaching a wide variety of art skills, including painting and papier mâché. She encourages thought and attention to detail when guiding kids through seasonal and holiday projects. Staff notices the positive response and enthusiasm with which the kids look forward to their time in art class. We are happy to have her working with our youth again.
Brenda Carlisle Joining our team in 2011, Brenda’s philanthropic skills, exceptional leadership, patience, passion, capacity to understand the needs of potential donors, and the willingness to promote the causes of others makes her an ideal Chief Philanthropy Officer. Brenda leads the charge with our three annual, major fundraisers to produce successful events year after year. She sits on all of the board committees & works alongside designated staff, Board Members & community volunteers to reach the best outcomes for our youth. Additionally, she has developed programs to inspire others to become involved in our mission. She created our Advocates for Girls program, including our first annual Empowerment Conference last spring. She has been instrumental in developing programs for our Alumni program and past Board Chairs. She consistently reaches out to our local legislative Delegation & other public officials to develop & maintain relationships with our Clubs. Brenda runs on “autopilot” to see that no stone is left unturned and that we are maximizing our resources and reaching potential donors. Our organization strives to help children by assisting others to develop relationships with our organization, and ultimately support the children we serve through giving. In today’s world, that is no small task, but with Brenda at the helm of fundraising and philanthropic giving, we, and the youth we serve, are in excellent hands.
SSAB and Carlis Timmons were honored with the Champion of Youth Award, recognizing a company or individual who shows their unwavering support of the young people of Boys & Girls Clubs who are on a pathway to a Great Future.
SSAB Americas is “reinventing the future of steel”, and with their continued investment in the young people of Southwest Alabama, it is also reinventing their futures. From its manufacturing workers to its senior management, SSAB employees are serving as our volunteers, giving guided tours of the company’s facilities, and providing on-the-job-internship opportunities. Recently, they increased its financial commitment to BGCSA and generously supports the active participation of Felecia Hosey, SSAB employee and valuable Board member.
30 years of dedication working at the same Boys & Girls Club, in addition to her full-time job at Council Traditional School. If that doesn’t define Carlis Timmons, as a Champion of Youth, what does? She’s also known as a woman who wears many hats – sports coach, role model, and mentor to countless Kiwanis Club youth. Parents send their kids from near and far to the Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club, because of Carlis’ expertise and ability to not only keep kids interested and involved in recreational sports, but to teach them technique, determination, sportsmanship, and how to work as a team. These skills extend beyond the court and field, contributing to fulfill our mission “to help all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.” She recently led the girls’ basketball team to a championship, and the girls softball team to the playoffs.
B.R. Wilson Leadership Award, named for one of our founders and first chairman is the highest award given to an individual. BGCSA Board of Directors bestowed the honor to Tim Wills, former BGCSA CEO for his outstanding leadership. He received his award prior to his departure from the organization earlier this year.
For more information about donating, volunteering or participating in the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Alabama, visit bgcsouthal.org or call 251-432-1235.
