BY VANESSA ECHOLS
FOR THE OBSERVER
EAST ALABAMA —The Boys & Girls Clubs of East Alabama recently celebrated its premiere fundraising event of the year with its Great Futures Gala at the Gogue Performing Arts Center in Auburn on May 7.
Auburn Mayor Ron Anders and Opelika Mayor Eddie Smith served as hosts for the event, which celebrates the year’s activities for the clubs, honors supporters and raises money for its programs. This year’s theme was Celebrate The Night in Black and White, so guests were invited to wear fun, but not formal black and white attire. And they were welcomed by some of the youngest members of the clubs, who served as official greeters for the event.
This is the seventh year for the Great Futures Gala for the BGCEASTAL, which has club locations in Opelika, Auburn and Troy.
Guests enjoyed food and entertainment, and the evening’s program highlighted the work the Clubs are doing in East Alabama, providing after school and summer programs for 700 children in the area. Three club members spoke during the program, being recognized as Junior Youth of the Year for the Auburn Clubhouse, Youth of the Year for the Opelika Clubhouse and Youth of the Year for Boys & Girls Clubs of East Alabama.
“It’s a fundraiser, but we also want people in the community to be aware of the impact we’re having on young people here in East Alabama,” said AJ Harris, interim president and CEO of the BGCEASTAL. “Our programs are focused on academic success, a healthy lifestyle, character and leadership development and lifeforce readiness.”
The BGCEASTAL began in Lee County in 1990, with locations in Auburn and Opelika and continues to build relationships with individuals and the business community. Harris said that relationship is vital because one of the clubs’ goals is to prepare students to have the necessary skills to become a part of the East Alabama workforce.
The BGC is also working on a strategic plan to expand its facilities and programs as it looks to the future.
“We’re an asset to this community, but we want to do more in order to serve our community at the highest level,” Harris said.
The Auburn Clubhouse is located at the Boykin Community Center and The Opelika Clubhouse is on Toomer Street, across from Carver Primary School.
