We are currently reaching out to our community, friends, and supporters in an effort to guide our organization into the future. We are conducting a survey that will help us with future decisions and goal-making. This is a quick and easy way to support our mission and help us to better serve your community. Thank you for taking a few minutes of your time to participate in our survey! CLICK the link below to participate.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Appalachia present: The Polar Express!
Before our kids went home for Christmas break, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Appalachia celebrated the season and each one of our members with an epic Christmas event!
All four of our Clubs attended the event held at the Harlan Center, which kicked off with Elf Rene giving each child their own bell, sticker, and ticket. Once they had their ticket punched by the conductor, they entered a land filled with crafts, food, and fun!
Each child had their fill of an amazing Christmas ham dinner with all the fixings, followed by a hot chocolate bar and chocolate covered pretzels for dessert! After an amazing presentation of the beloved story book The Polar Express, by our friends at SCORE who were on hand to help out, it was time to watch the film!
We pulled a few strings, and although it was close to Christmas, we were able to get Santa Claus himself to take time to take a professional photograph with each and every one of our members! Not only did members take home this wonderful keepsake photo, they also were surprised with a gift from their wish list which they had written earlier at their Club!
Thank you to all of our wonderful staff, volunteers, donors, and sponsors who made this event possible. This year we had more kids than ever before and our membership keeps increasing. We are deeply grateful for everyone who made this event such a success and a joy for our children and youth. Merry Christmas!
Radio Auction Sets New Record
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Appalachia Annual Radio Auction fundraiser proved to be an outstanding success. Held on Monday December 5th and Tuesday December 6th, the auction was broadcasted over WTUK FM, WHLN AM, Harlan Community TV, and Facebook Live. There was something for everyone. Auction lots included gift certificates to local businesses and restaurants, salon and spa items, and even body art date nights! Cabin getaways, pool and gaming parties, handcrafted wood and glass items, UK basketball tickets and three bottles of rare Blanton’s Whiskey were some of the most sought-after items.
After two nights of auction, over 175 individual items found new homes with the highest bidders. In addition to introducing the items up for bid, our CEO Kateena Haynes challenged staff and board members to call in donations to help the event reach its goals. Many answered the call, including all of our Senior Staff members.
By the end of the auction, we had raised $10, 244—a new record amount for this event! We are humbled to thank everyone who donated items and everyone who shopped the auction. Additional thanks go out to everyone who gave their time answering phones, organizing items, and presenting them during the two-day auction. The support of our community ensures we can continue to create safe, nurturing environments for the children of Appalachia, regardless of their circumstances or socioeconomic status. Thank you!
Annual Radio Auction Date Set
The date has been set for our annual Boys & Girls Clubs of Appalachia Annual Radio Auction fundraiser! The radio auction will be broadcast on December 5th and 6th on WTUK 105.1 FM as well as on our Facebook page. There will be lots of amazing items to help finish your holidays shopping or just to treat yourself. All proceeds benefit our organization and are 100% tax deductible.
We are still accepting donations of items for our auction. You can contact us if you have items that you wish to donate. Toys, tools, household items, fashion, and media items are all great things to donate. We love supporting local businesses and appreciate donations of gift cards for the auction as well!
If you are unable to donate an item for the auction, be sure to tune and bid. Get your shopping done and help local kids and youth at the same time!
Auction begins December 5th on WTUK 105.1 FM and on our Facebook page.
Intention to Apply Announcement
The Harlan County Boys & Girls Club, in partnership with the Harlan County School System, intends to submit an application to the Kentucky Department of Education for a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant. The grant will support an academic-focused after school program for students at Cumberland Elementary School. If you have any comments on the proposed program, please contact Kateena Hayes at khaynes@bgcapp.club. A copy of the application will be available for public review after submittal at the Cawood Ledford Boys & Girls Club.
McLendon Named Kentucky Youth of the Year
On April 28, 2022 Kaleb McLendon was named the Kentucky Youth of the Year.
For more than 70 years, the Youth of the Year program has honored and celebrated the nation’s most inspiring teens and their incredible journeys. Nominees that exemplify the Boys & Girls Club mission from around the country compete to be recognized among the National Youth of the Year. This year, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Appalachia were proud to nominate Kaleb McLendon.
A junior at Harlan Independent High School, Kaleb McLendon stands out as a leader among his peers. He is the Entertainment Director for the Harlan Independent Future Business Leaders of America as well as Captain of the Boys’ Basketball Team. He has won numerous awards on and off the court, including MVP, All A Tournament Player, All 52nd District Player, and Youth of the Month at the Cawood Ledford Boys & Girls Club.
In addition to being a member of both the Cawood Ledford Boys & Girls Club of Harlan County and the Harlan Independent 21cclc Teen Club, he has also served as Junior Staff, mentoring younger Club members. Kaleb’s leadership skills ignite the drive in others and provide a beacon of light for younger Club members to follow.
This year’s competition and awards ceremony was held remotely. Club staff, friends, family, and teachers and administrators from Harlan Independent gathered in the Cawood Ledford Boys & Girls Club to watch the ceremony. The virtual ceremony included an address by Kentucky Governor Andy Bashear. In addition to the honor of being named the Youth of the Year, Kaleb will receive a $2500 scholarship and the chance to compete for a $20,000 scholarship at the regional competition in Chicago, IL in June.
Health and Safety Courses
Health and Safety Courses
Presented by Harlan Independent 21cclc-first semester-2022
Helping youth, teens, and the community learn new skills and achieve their academic goals is what the Harlan Independent 21st Century Community Learning Center is all about. This past semester, the 21cclc offered two well received sessions for the community.
Partnering with Kentucky Community & Technical College, we were able to offer two sessions of CPR courses at no cost to the participants. Held in our partner facility, the Cawood Ledford Boys & Girls Club, the courses taught CPR appropriate for adults, children, and infants. Each participant earned a CPR Certification card and left empowered with knowledge that could one day save a life.
In our meal prep class, day to day health and wellness was on the menu. Ashely Bledsoe hosted our participants in this free workshop at the Harlan Civic Center. Not only did everyone learn how to prep healthy meals ahead of time, but they also got to take home reusable containers so they can apply what they learned at home. In all, each attendee took home 6 full meals in their containers and a lot of knowledge about how preparing healthy meals ahead makes it easier to make good food choices. A low-carb version of the workshop is being planned for the future.
Summer Camps at the Club
Summer at the Club is always a blast and this year is no exception! All three of our locations will be having weekly camps starting May 31st. There is no deadline to register and you can attend any or all of the camps. Contact the follow clubs directly to schedule your children and youth for these amazing summer opportunities!
Cawood Ledford Boys & Girls Club
Camps are Monday through Friday from 10 am to 4 pm and cost $50 per week. Early drop off (8 am) and late pick up are available for an extra $5 per day. No need to pack a lunch because all camps include snacks and meals. Every week there is a new theme with fun activities and enriching experiences.
Call 606-275-0960 or email rcornette@bgcapp.club to register your child for camps!
Union College Boys & Girls Club
Camps are Monday through Friday from 10 am to 4 pm and cost $50 per week. Early drop off (8 am) and late pick up are available for an extra $5 per day. No need to pack a lunch because all camps include snacks and meals. Every week there is a new theme with fun activities and enriching experiences. Held at the Union College Health and Wellness Center, campers also get the opportunity to swim at the facility during their camp.
Call 606-546-1712 or email madison.lennen@unionky.edu to register your child for camps!
Harlan Independent 21st Century Community Learning Center
Camps are Monday through Thursday from 11 am to 3 pm. This camp is for rising 5th graders through 12th graders. This camp provides a meal and all transportation and is free of charge.
Call 606-727-4000 or email miranda.jeffers@harlanind.kyschools.us to register your teen for these camps!
