News

PHOENIX CLUB FORMING TO HELP DENVER YOUTH

Memphis based non-profit to start fundraising group for
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver

Contact: Christine Kechter
Boys and Girls Club of Metro Denver
303-892-9200  ext. 105

Denver, March 13, 2006 – Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver (BGCMD) has a new fan club in town.  A Phoenix Club is forming in the Denver area to hold events, socials and promotions with just one goal in mind – raise money to help Denver youth through the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver. 

The Phoenix Club officially began in Memphis, TN in 1956 as a local chapter of a California-based young men's civic group, the 20-30 Club. The early focus was on working with delinquent youths, but the plan lacked traction.  By 1958 it was reborn -- hence "Phoenix," rising from its ashes -- as an independent organization.  The focus shifted to raising funds to establish the city's first Boys Club, which opened in 1962.
"We wouldn't be here without them," says Brad Baumgardner, CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis. "The Phoenix Club has been instrumental in making sure that we have the dollars to operate, including training and educating Memphians about what the Boys and Girls Club is doing in the community.  They are impacting lives of kids who really need it the most."

Now, a member of the Memphis group has moved to Denver to begin local chapter for fundraising and awareness efforts for BGCMD.  The Denver club is looking for professional men, ages 25 – 35, who want to work hard, help Denver’s young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, and have a great time.

“It’s just something that I really enjoy being involved with,” says Marc Schatten, founder of the Denver Phoenix Club.  “I couldn’t think of a better cause than helping kids.  And we [the club members] have so much fun together, it doesn’t feel like work.  I met some of my best friends in Memphis through the Phoenix Club, and the speakers we had for our monthly luncheons were top-notch.”

Currently, Marc is looking at starting a 5K race and selling personalized Christmas cards with artwork created by local artists and Boys & Girls Clubs members, similar to projects started by the Memphis Club.  Over the past ten years, the annual cash contributions by the Phoenix Club to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis ranged from $146,000 to $175,000.  And after that?
           
“The sky is the limit,” says Marc.  “I’m open to trying most anything.”

To learn more about the Phoenix Club and how to get involved, call Colin Herzoff at 303-601-3466 or e-mail him at colin@freyerandherzoff.com.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver
Since 1961, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver has been helping kids stay in school, stay out of trouble, and succeed in life.  The organization operates six safe, positive Clubs staffed by full-time professional staff members, where young people can participate in educational activities, leadership clubs, art projects, computer training, sports and more.  In addition, the Clubs own and operate a summer camp in the mountains west of Boulder.  The organization serves more than 20,000 young people each year.  For more information, visit www.positiveplacedenver.org.