| Contacts:
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Jennifer Pauly
Reader's Digest
914-244-5862 |
K.
Renee Overs
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
404-487-5894 |
THE READER'S DIGEST FOUNDATION DONATES $100,000 TO
BGCA
PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. - Nov. 17, 2008 - The
Reader's Digest Foundation announced today that it will donate $100,000 to
Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA)based in Atlanta. The mission of this
national nonprofit organization is to enable all young people, especially
those in greatest need, to reach their full potential as productive, caring,
responsible citizens. The grant from the Foundation will be used
specifically for BGCA's drug and gang prevention programs.
This grant was inspired by the efforts of Delaware State Police detective
Robert Moody. During his 26 years of police work, much of it in anti-drug
and anti-gang programs, Robert saw the negative influences that were present
in the lives of many young people. He decided to share something positive –
his passion for fishing – in an attempt to counter the negatives. Since
1991, Robert has invited small groups of kids to spend summer mornings
fishing with him on his days off. In 2002, Robert formalized the trips by
creating Reel Expectations, a foundation that introduces kids ages 8 to 14
to the basics of fishing in five-day summer camps. The children are
recruited through local Boys & Girls Clubs and the YMCA/YWCA.
"The Reader's Digest Foundation has a long history with Boys & Girls Clubs
of America, and we are thrilled to extend that support through this grant,"
said Susan Fraysse Russ, executive director, The Reader's Digest Foundation.
"By providing young people with encouragement, guidance and a safe, positive
place to go, BGCA is changing the world one child at a time. We are proud to
help them improve the lives of children across the country."
"We know kids are safe when they are in our Clubs. A big concern is what
happens to them on their way to and from our facility," said Joe Mollner,
senior director, Delinquency Prevention, Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
"This grant will give our drug and gang prevention programs the resources
necessary to help Club members avoid gangs and resolve disputes with words
instead of guns. Hopefully, they will become the examples, leading their
peers to do the same."
Reader's Digest magazine is featuring the story of Robert Moody in
its "Make it Matter" column in the December issue, which hits newsstands on
Nov. 18. Previous "Make it Matter" stories, including many that never
appeared in the magazine, can be seen at
http://www.readersdigest.com.
About The Reader's Digest Foundation
The Reader's Digest Foundation, started in 1938, is dedicated to creating
opportunities and promoting efforts that encourage individuals to make a
positive difference in their communities, and to supporting programs
designed to help young people learn, grow and enrich their lives. RDF makes
grants to nonprofit organizations to support the good works of individuals
in their communities and to nonprofit partners focused on youth development
and education. The Foundation also partners with nonprofits to create
workplace opportunities for Reader's Digest Association employees to
volunteer their time and share their expertise.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has been changing and
saving young lives, providing hope and opportunity for kids who need them
most. Today, some 4,300 Clubs serve some 4.8 million young people through
Club membership and community outreach. Known as The Positive Place for
Kids, Boys & Girls Clubs can be found all across the country and on U.S.
military bases throughout the world. Clubs provide young people 6-18 years
old with guidance-oriented character development programs conducted by
trained, professional staff. In communities large and small, Clubs
positively impact lives and help young people reach their full potential as
productive, caring citizens. Key Boys & Girls Club programs emphasize
leadership development; education and career exploration; community service;
financial literacy; health and life skills; the arts; sports, fitness and
recreation; and family outreach. In a recent Harris Survey of Club alumni,
57 percent said the Club saved their life. National headquarters are located
in Atlanta.
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