Boys and Girls Club honors its own

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County honored employees, board members and outstanding youth at its recent annual dinner at Harry & the Natives restaurant in Hobe Sound.

Awards were presented to those board members who provided remarkable service to the clubs’ fundraising, administrative and programmatic efforts in 2010-2011, including Lynn Frank — Unsung Hero; Captain Lloyd Jones — Advisory Board Member of the Year; Betty Marsh — Shining Star; and Claire Nash — Rookie of the Year.

“We’re truly blessed with one of the community’s most dedicated boards,” said Anne McCormick, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County. “If there was ever a board that could serve as a model for how to most effectively guide an organization and impact its club members, we think it’s our board.”

Also attending were board members from both the clubs’ corporate and branch boards, as well as staff members.

In addition, five Youths of the Year selected by their clubs, had just returned from a statewide event honoring all Youth of the Year recipients. At the dinner, these five club members–Casey Mancuso (Hobe Sound branch), Anthony Smith (Port Salerno branch), Bria Anderson (East Stuart branch), Ashley Bilodeau (Palm City branch), and Jonathan Montelongo (Indiantown branch)–were recognized.

They had all traveled to Destin for a ceremony to crown the Florida Youth of the Year, and each received a plaque and a $50 savings bond in recognition of their achievements.

Bria Anderson was not only the East Stuart Club winner but also the overall Youth of the Year for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County. 

Staff members selected by their colleagues earlier in the day for their outstanding contributions to the clubs were also acknowledged at the dinner, including Rhonda McGahee-McClain, Sam Velazquez, Joseph Pritchard, Juliet Ciaravino, Lisa Cortez, and Derek Williams.

Entertainment was provided by Panyard Express, a steel-drum band based at the Indiantown Boys & Girls Club. Sam Velazquez, site coordinator at the Indiantown Club, serves as the group’s bandleader.