2010-2011 Auxiliary Officers

Mission Statement

The Boys and Girls Club Auxiliary is a non-profit organization that raises funds to facilitate special events and functions for the children of the Boys and Girls Club. The Special Programs will provide a fun and safe outlet for social development. The Auxiliary will provide financial assistance for basic needs and will offer opportunities for personal and developmental growth that will cultivate good citizenship.

History

The Boys & Girls Club Auxiliary has been serving our community's children for 40 years. The Auxiliary was originally established in 1967 with a three fold purpose: 1) To assist the Boys' Club of Bloomington whenever possible, 2) To foster and develop public interest in the work of the Boys' Club, 3) To sponsor projects and to take part in activities to benefit the Boys' Club. Boys and Girls Club Auxiliary is an independent organization that is completely self-governing. Mrs. Rex Grossman served as the Auxiliary's first President in 1967. The first 46 members of the Auxiliary served the commitment by in the form of serving on communities in arts and crafts, cooking, music and library. Auxiliary members practiced choir with the boys for caroling at fraternity and sorority houses, as well as drove them to Indiana University plays. A mum sale in September at the first football game was the only fundraiser in 1967 and netted $875.35.

Two years after the Boys and Girls Club Auxiliary began, fundraising projects had expanded to include the North-South All Star football game banquet, as well as a Flea Market and Craftique sale held in May of 1969. In 1969 the Auxiliary taught the boys cooking on Tuesdays and crafts on Thursdays. Auxiliary members drove the boys around the community to sell candy, with proceeds going to help fund camp scholarships.

During the next 34 years the Boys' and Girls' Club Auxiliary had a variety of fundraisers and activities for the boys and girls at the Club. Fundraisers included, but were not limited to, the Busy Bee, and hors d'oeuvres cookbook, dinner dances, a tennis tournament, and a wine tasting party. The Strawberry Festival made its appearance in May of 1986. The first Christmas Auction took place in 1985. It's forerunner was the "Make It-Bake It-Who Will Take It" auction first held in 1974.

Camp scholarships, football, basketball and soccer teams, the banking of Christmas cookies and the annual Pumpkin Pick are only a few special programs that the Auxiliary provided for the boys and girls. The Auxiliary began providing health snacks for the children in April, 1986.

Currently the Auxiliary sponsors three major fundraisers each year, the Holiday Auction in November/December, the Strawberry Festival in May, and the Gold Club Raffle in September. The Auxiliary also sponsors special programs, which directly involve the children of the Club. These include: IU Soccer Clinic, Pumpkin Pick, Halloween Party, Valentine Party, Easter Egg Hunt, Bowling Party, Tennis Clinic, Holiday Camp and annual Award Banquet. The Auxiliary also donates and organizes a Clothing Closet and Power Points at the Club. In addition they provide a health snack for members of the Club every Monday.

There are currently 42 active members of the Boys' and Girls' Club Auxiliary. Anyone interested in joining the Auxiliary should contact the current President of the Boys' & Girls' Club Auxiliary.