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BE INSPIRED, BE PASSIONATE, BE AN MVP, BE AN IDOL, BE BRAVE.
BE GREAT!!!
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Denzel Washington
BE INSPIRED
Growing up in Mount Vernon, N.Y., Denzel Washington had parents who were both busy with full-time jobs. After school and most weekends, he needed a place to go. Fortunately, there was a Boys & Girls Club near by. In fact, Denzel recalls, he couldn't wait to be old enough to join.
At the Club, Denzel found support, friendship and encouragement. Field trips opened his eyes to a wider world. The Club also motivated him to strive for a college education.
The two-time Academy Award winner credits the Club - and the staff there - for inspiring him to believe that he could achieve anything he set his mind to. "The Club is where I looked for hope, purpose and direction," Washington says. "That's where I learned to dream - and to think big."
Club: Mt. Vernon, N.Y.
Occupation: Actor
Member Since: 1962 |
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Martin Sheen
BE PASSIONATE
Martin Sheen grew up in the South Park district of Dayton, Ohio. The son of immigrant parents from Ireland and Spain, he was one of 10 children - which could sometimes make it tough to get an adult's attention.
But Sheen had something else: he also belonged to a local Boys & Girls Club. Martin and his six brothers spent almost every waking moment there. They also found a mentor in Club director Whitey Gates, who had a tremendous impact on their lives.
To this day, the Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actor credits the caring Club staff with providing mentorship and guidance when he needed it most.
Club Location: Dayton, Ohio
Occupation: Actor and Activist
Member Since: 1946 |
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Shaquille O'Neal
BE AN MVP
For Shaquille O'Neal, the Boys & Girls Club was a safe, supportive place to play basketball in his hometown of Newark, N.J. Encouraged by the staff, he became interested in Club programs and activities, especially those involving technology.
In 1998, Shaq pledged $1 million to Boys & Girl Clubs of America to help build technology centers in Clubs. He also collaborated with BGCA and Microsoft to create an online safety program for kids.
During the last decade, Shaq's legacy has grown to include some 2,000 tech centers in Clubs and thousands of tech-savvy young people. Shaq continues to support Boys & Girls Clubs, never forgetting how critical it is to give kids hope and opportunity.
Club Location: Newark, N.J.
Occupation: NBA Center
Member Since: 1982 |
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Ruben Studdard
BE AN IDOL
Ruben Studdard is a Grammy-nominated pop, R&B and gospel singer who captured global attention as winner of the second season of American Idol. He's also someone with a deep affinity for community - an affinity influenced by time spent at the Boys & Girls Club. "I had some of the best times of my life there," he recalls.
Today, he's deeply involved in helping children develop both artistic and social skills. In 2003, he founded the Ruben Studdard Foundation for the Advancement of Children in the Music Arts. He's also a regular speaker at Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the country. "It has special meaning for me," he says. "I'm a product of the Clubs."
Club Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Occupation: Singer |
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General Wesley Clark
BE BRAVE
Wesley Clark grew up in Little Rock, Ark., in the 1950s. Then, as now, it was easy to get in trouble if you didn't have the right place to go. So he went to the Boys & Girls Club.
While there, Wes found two mentors who would have a profound impact on his life. One was the Club director. The other was the swim coach. They had completely different styles, but were equally effective motivating kids. Wes met the challenges both men set.
Later, Wes attended West Point, graduating first in his class. He earned a Rhodes scholarship and an Oxford degree. In the Army, he rose to four-star general and NATO Supreme Allied Commander in Europe. He still attributes much of his success to life lessons learned at the Club.
Club Location: Little Rock, Ark.
Occupation: General, U.S. Army (retired)
Member Since: 1959 |
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