News & Events

YOUTH OF THE YEAR 2025

HOBE SOUND — The gymnasium at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hobe Sound was a bevy of activity on Dec. 18 as more than 100 “elves” wrapped toys to be given as holiday gifts for members of five clubs in Martin County. The wrapping party – which included a breakfast for all the volunteers – was the culmination of the Boys & Girls Club’s “Operation Merry & Bright,” which started more than a month ago with opportunities for residents to donate gifts. “Over the last month, we must have collected over 3,000 toys,” Meghan Shirey, director of marketing and external affairs at the Hobe Sound club. More than 40 businesses from Hobe Sound north to Jensen Beach had collection boxes where customers could drop off toys. Club workers then inventoried the assortment and divided them into age-appropriate categories. In addition, financial contributions were collected to enable the club to buy boxes of food -- fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy pantry items, prepared meals, and snacks – for families which can be used while the clubs were closed from Dec. 24 through 27, Shirey said. Once wrapped, the gifts were next taken to the clubs on Dec. 20 and 23 which service 11 elementary, middle and high schools in Martin County. The gifts would be distributed to youngsters to take home for unwrapping on Christmas Day. “We believe every child deserves to feel the warmth and wonder of the holiday season,” Keith Fletcher, CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Martin County, said in a press release. “Operation Merry & Bright is not just about gifts, it’s about fostering a sense of togetherness, hope, and belonging for our families. But this entire effort is truly a gift that keeps on giving, as our community partners and donors who volunteer tell us that nothing puts them in the holiday spirit quite like this event. “They love sharing in the uplifting atmosphere of the wrap party as they connect with neighbors, organize and prepare the presents and recreate some of that Santa’s Workshop magic in our club. The result is an unforgettable holiday season for the children and families we serve,” he said. Although Willie Autrey lives in Okeechobee, he came as a volunteer through AmeriCorps, a federal program for volunteerism in local communities. “This is my first year with (AmeriCorps),” Autrey said. “It’s euphoric. Gives us all a sense of enlightment.” By his own admission, he is not an expert package wrapper. “My family usually does all the wrapping,” he said. Jensen Beach resident Courtney Tompkins, while carefully wrapping one of six Darth Vader action figures, for boys ages 6 to 8, said she is “big into philanthropic causes and I love to give back. There are a lot of kids who need gifts this year.” Tompkins previously worked at a Boys & Girls Club in Starkville, Mississippi as a grant writer, she said. She now is a sourcing specialist on the supply team with Next Era Energy, which had a half-dozen of their employees come out for the morning party. She considers herself to be “top tier” when it comes to wrapping packages, she said. To read the full story, click here.

Board Chair Kathryn Parsons

by Keith Burbank Treasure Coast Newspapers STUART — A sleek new building opened last month in East Stuart because of the need to help children there and in the surrounding area. The Boys & Girls Club of Martin County officially opened the greater Stuart club on Sept. 3, at 551 Southeast Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., after a look at the area's demographic data. "We look at the data, and our mission statement compels us to move in a direction of serving the kids who need us the most," said Keith "Fletch" Fletcher, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Martin County. Some details The 39,000-square-foot club features a 15,000-square-foot gym, performing arts studio, commercial kitchen and classrooms. Including furniture, equipment and other items, the building cost about $18.5 million and was paid for by donors. "I like that we have more space to do stuff," said 10-year-old Katelynn Landsman, a student at J.D. Parker Elementary School in Stuart. Shiny and cute is what 10-year-old Maria Leal, also a J.D. Parker Elementary School student, said about the new space. She also likes that she has more space to do things. Traditional plus a gym "It's built like sort of an ecosystem of inspiration," Fletcher said. The Stuart club is traditional in that it offers academic support, promotes good character and citizenship, healthy lifestyles and offers music, art, dance and sports, he said. And a gym with 270 bleacher seats. "I haven't been in Martin County as long as some, but I do know that the residents of East Stuart have long been promised an air-conditioned indoor gymnasium," Fletcher said. The gym is available for community use, he said. Programs for learning The club also features a registered apprenticeship program in home building and home building skills. Students can follow up and get certifications in carpentry; plumbing; electrical; welding; and heating, ventilating, and air conditioning. "The idea is that you're going to complete those certifications for free, and you're 22 years old, you have no debt, and you have a journeyman's license," Fletcher said. Also, "we have an entire lab dedicated to advanced manufacturing" that can train kids for jobs that pay $40 per hour, he added. "We've been smart about this," Fletcher said. The club also offers drone certifications, sewing and digital music production, but, he said, the core premise of the building is viewing high school graduation as a launchpad, rather than a destination. How it's helping youth "It's where we're going to help you take off and change the circumstances for your family's lineage, generationally," he said. "That's what we're aspiring to do." Children pay nothing year-round to be a part of it, he said. The Boys & Girls Club of Martin County is unable to do that in a shared space, Fletcher said, which has been the case in the past. How many are served "It is the largest club that we have to date," said Meghan Shirey, director of marketing and external affairs for the Boys & Girls Club of Martin County. "It has the capacity to serve on a daily basis up to 600 students. We typically serve around 300 at one time." Who it's serving "We're targeting two schools in the community, said Devonte Lawson, the director of the greater Stuart club. Those are J.D. Parker Elementary School, where about 200-plus kindergarten through fifth graders receive services, Lawson said. "And Stuart Middle School, which is directly behind us, adjacent to our building, and we serve about 50-60" students, he said. To read the whole article, please click here.

BGCMC Workforce Center PACT provides practical career path for many 

Piper’s Landing Holds Golf Fundraiser for  Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County

21st Century Community Learning Center Applications

Fletch’s Perspective