Basketball Legend Surprises Boys & Girls Club during Celebration of New Teen Room

The Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich revealed its new teen room on Monday, thanks to the Junior League of Greenwich.

For the past few months the Junior League and teen Club members have been busy renovating, painting and refurbishing the teen room, where club kids do homework, meet with peers, host meetings for Keystone and Torch Clubs  – and just relax.

Jr. League president Alessandra Messineo Long said that there were focus groups with members of her organization and both Bobby Walker and teens from the club to get a good idea how to best serve their needs. The end result, she said was a new flat screen TV, new sofas, new paint and chalkboard walls, new Box and new sofas.

Ryan Accurso, teen coordinator, greewnich, ct

Ryan Accurso, teen coordinator, with Keystone members at the Boys & Girls Club on Monday for the teen room ribbon-cutting and celebration. April 25, 2016 Credit: Leslie Yager

The teen room filled with teens and Keystone members for a celebration of the redone teen room, and words from special guests, including First Selectman Peter Tesei, and basketball shooting guard John Starks who played in the NBA for the Knicks. The teens and children were virtually speechless as Claudette Rothman introduced Mr. Starks and told the story of the his best “dunk.”

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John Starks and Claudette Rothman at the Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich, April 25, 2016 Credit: Leslie Yager

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Bobby Walker and John Starks at the Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich, April25, 2016 Credit: Leslie Yager

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John Starks and Claudette Rothman at the Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich, April 25, 2016 Credit: Leslie Yager

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First Selectman Peter Tesei writes words of inspiration on the chalkboard at the new teen room at Greenwich Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, April 25, 2016 Credit: Leslie Yager

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Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich Education/Technology Coordinator Brendan Garnett with John Starks on Monday, April 25, 2016 Credit: Leslie Yager

Mr. Starks, who was a club kid in his local Boys & Girls Club when he was growing up said he felt right at home. He and Mr. Tesei both added words of inspiration on the special chalk board over the doorway in the teen room.

Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich aims to provide an outstanding experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who enters our doors.  We offer an extensive and comprehensive array of recreational and academic programs to members ages 6-18, for just $50 per year.

The Club is located in a state-of-the-art facility which serves as the town’s leading provider of athletic leagues and competitive teams; we offer indoor and outdoor summer camps as well as school-year programming.  For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, a member of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, has provided high-quality programming which builds character and citizenship and offers kids a safe, nurturing, affordable environment in which to succeed.

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Education/ Tech coordintor Brendan Garnett and Madeline Leung, Communications Coordinator at the Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich, April 25, 2016 Credit: Leslie Yager

Each year, we provide opportunities ranging from swimming lessons to homework help to hundreds of underserved children, allowing their parents to work a full day without worry.  The mission of the Club is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

To learn more about how great futures start here visit BGCG.ORG or connect with us @BGCGKIDS on Facebook and Twitter.

 

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Members of the Junior League of Greenwich with John Starks, First Selectman Peter Tesei, Bobby Walker and Ryan Accurso of the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich. April 25, 2016 Credit: Leslie Yager

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The Junior League of Greenwich has been bettering the community for over 50 years.  It is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained individuals. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. If you are interested in joining the Junior League of Greenwich and making a difference in our community, contact the JLG Office at (203) 869-1979 or visit their website at www.jlgreenwich.org.

 The Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich is located at 4 Horseneck Lane in Greenwich.

See also:  48th Annual Awards Night at Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich Showcases Club Members and Volunteers


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