Underwriting support from:
Guests taking a beach stroll at the first Summer Soiree. /Shannon Snyder Photography
BGC Staff threw the first Summer Soiree raising over $54,000 for Camp O'Malley. /Shannon Snyder Photography
Peter and Joan Secchia graciously opened their Lake Michigan home to host Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth’s first ever Summer Soirée to benefit Camp O’Malley on July 13, 2010. There were 85 Camp O’Malley supporters in attendance, raising over $54,000.
Already this summer, after six weeks, Camp O’Malley has served 387 youth. “We are having an excellent summer season with strong camper attendance, new programs being implemented, and a great set of camp staff,”saidBecky Reed, Camp O’Malley Director.
It was an evening to celebrate. Guests were energized to be a part of the future of Boys & Girls Clubs and Camp O’Malley. Even the volunteers had an enjoyable time. “The weather was near perfect, the guests most cordial, and the venue, well, I think we all might be a bit envious,” Bradd Davidoski, an event volunteer, said.
During the program Michelle Lewis, VP of Resource Development on the Boys & Girls Clubs Board of Directors, encouraged everyone’s support and stressed the importance of giving back, “because it is one of the best investments that you can make to the future of our community,” Lewis said.
With the success of the Summer Soirée, Camp O’Malley will continue providing the great camp experience and have the necessary funds in order to operate. “It was our first year and the event was very well received, especially with our sponsors,” Reed said.
Summer is a time for outdoor activities like: hiking, biking, swimming and camp fires; all things that the Camp O’Malley Campers do. When Campers were asked, “What do you love most about Camp?” It was almost a unanimous, “Swimming!”
The final week of Camp is this week; ending the summer-fun until next year. Reed said she plans on holding the Summer Soirée annually and looks forward to providing Camp experiences for the youth of West Michigan in the summers to come.
Special thank you to the hosts: Peter & Joan Secchia
Thank you to the event sponsors: Meijer, VanderWeide Family Foundation, Amway Global, Car City Supercenter, Steelcase Inc., Taco Bells of West Michigan, Dean Transportation, Rockford Constuction, and Bruce Heys Builders.
Thank you to all the guests and donors who made the evening a great success.
Check out more photographs of the event on the Boys & Girls Clubs Facebook page: www.facebook.com/BGCGrandRapids.
Already this summer, after six weeks, Camp O’Malley has served 387 youth. “We are having an excellent summer season with strong camper attendance, new programs being implemented, and a great set of camp staff,”saidBecky Reed, Camp O’Malley Director.
It was an evening to celebrate. Guests were energized to be a part of the future of Boys & Girls Clubs and Camp O’Malley. Even the volunteers had an enjoyable time. “The weather was near perfect, the guests most cordial, and the venue, well, I think we all might be a bit envious,” Bradd Davidoski, an event volunteer, said.
During the program Michelle Lewis, VP of Resource Development on the Boys & Girls Clubs Board of Directors, encouraged everyone’s support and stressed the importance of giving back, “because it is one of the best investments that you can make to the future of our community,” Lewis said.
With the success of the Summer Soirée, Camp O’Malley will continue providing the great camp experience and have the necessary funds in order to operate. “It was our first year and the event was very well received, especially with our sponsors,” Reed said.
Summer is a time for outdoor activities like: hiking, biking, swimming and camp fires; all things that the Camp O’Malley Campers do. When Campers were asked, “What do you love most about Camp?” It was almost a unanimous, “Swimming!”
The final week of Camp is this week; ending the summer-fun until next year. Reed said she plans on holding the Summer Soirée annually and looks forward to providing Camp experiences for the youth of West Michigan in the summers to come.
Special thank you to the hosts: Peter & Joan Secchia
Thank you to the event sponsors: Meijer, VanderWeide Family Foundation, Amway Global, Car City Supercenter, Steelcase Inc., Taco Bells of West Michigan, Dean Transportation, Rockford Constuction, and Bruce Heys Builders.
Thank you to all the guests and donors who made the evening a great success.
Check out more photographs of the event on the Boys & Girls Clubs Facebook page: www.facebook.com/BGCGrandRapids.
Article written by Sarah Navis, BGC Special Events Coordinator. For more information on future special events, please call 616.233.9370x109 or email [email protected].
The Rapidian, a program of the 501(c)3 nonprofit Community Media Center, relies on the community’s support to help cover the cost of training reporters and publishing content.
We need your help.
If each of our readers and content creators who values this community platform help support its creation and maintenance, The Rapidian can continue to educate and facilitate a conversation around issues for years to come.
Please support The Rapidian and make a contribution today.