BGCMC mobilizes ‘Operation Merry & Bright’ thanks to generous donors!

Just when it seemed the stresses, struggles and sorrows of 2020 would deny local children—and several families—many of the simple joys of the holiday season, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County (BGCMC) got involved to help spread holiday cheer.

Enter Operation Merry & Bright.

In this year of extraordinary need, BGCMC employed extraordinary measures to ensure a holiday season that the children will never forget. Every BGCMC member—nearly 400 kids countywide— brought home treats, necessities, and a bounty of delicious, healthy food to share with their families over the winter break.

Thanks to an outpouring of community support, BGCMC donors adopted more than 40 local families—each one burdened with tremendous need—to receive a holiday gift unlike any they could imagine.

“We’re so thankful for this amazing community,” says Keith “Fletch” Fletcher, CEO of BGCMC. “They responded immediately and generously to our calls to help make sure these families experience an unforgettable celebration.

“And I’m especially proud of my staff,” continues Fletcher. “As always, they put their full hearts into gathering gifts for every kid as well as for our adopted families. They serve with love and joy, demonstrating the truth of the season—that it really is better to give than to receive.”

On Monday, Santa’s workshop was busy with BGCMC elves, who spent the day packing food boxes with healthy meals, wrapping gifts, and stuffing backpacks at the Cole-Clark Boys & Girls Club in Hobe Sound. On Tuesday, the gifts, meals and essentials were sent home with children to share with their families. 

40 families

Thanks to the generosity of several donors, BGCMC provided each adopted family with presents for every member, including gift cards for the parents or caregivers, age-appropriate toys for each child, and a full holiday dinner—frozen and prepackaged—from Evo Italian restaurant in Tequesta. 

‘We got your back’

Every member at all four BGCMC clubs—in Hobe Sound, Port Salerno, Indiantown and Stuart—went home with boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy pantry items, prepared meals and snacks.

Knowing many of the kids depend on the clubs for healthy, reliable meals and snacks, BGCMC made sure they would remain fed. The food supply—or “11 days of Christmas meals”— was carefully assembled to last throughout the 11 days the clubs are closed.

Plus, each received a new backpack with wrapped toys, an age appropriate and educational book and essential care items such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, comb and mask. 

Santa Visits the Clubs

Finally, Santa Claus himself visited the Clubs on Monday and met with every club member via Zoom so the children could safely share with him their wish list for this holiday season.

Thanks to the kindness of donors and community partners and the dedication of BGCMC staff, many of their wishes—and so much more—were granted.