The Boys and Girls Club of Newark is having Small Fry Basketball tryouts for boys and girls between the ages of 9 -13 (Must turn 13 after Sept. 1, 2011). Players must be under 5″1″ to participate. Our next practice will be held on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 6 pm – Central Ward Boys and Girls Club 1 Avon Avenue. If you have any questions, please contact Sam Gonzalez at 973-273-6411 or Phil Smith at 973-824-8599.
The Boys and Girls Club of Newark held its Pee Wee Championship on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011. Mississippi State prevailed over Penn State by a final of 18-13. Mississippi State was lead by Joel Uzoka, Zahmir J. Walker, Ryan J. Coker and Khazirr C. Norwood. Penn State played tough but was outmatched down low. Penn State was lead by Alfredo Quiles, Jaron Concepcion and Isaih Hill.
We would like to thank all the coaches, league officials, staff, sponsors and parents for making this league so successful.
Coaches: Charles Marchan, Bobby Oyawusi, Samuel Gonzalez, Tyrone Artis and Alfredo Quiles
Staff: Phil Smith and Jennifer Mine
Team Sponsors: Councilwoman Mildred C. Crump, Councilman Ras Baraka and North Ward Center Basketall League
League Sponsors: Senator M. Teresa Ruiz, Assemblyman Albert Coutinho, Essex County Clerk Chris Durkin and Council Vice President Anibal Ramos, Jr.
The Boys and Girls Club of Newark held its Biddy Championship on Monday, December 19, 2011. The two teams featured in the championship was the Heat (North Ward Center Basketball League) vs. Thunder (Council President Payne Team). This was a very exciting and competive game between the two teams. The Thunder had a 40-36 with 1:36 left in game, before the Heat went on a 12 – 0 run to seal game and Championship. Final score 48 – 40. The Heat were led by Marad,Kirk and Emiliana. While the Thunder were led by Tyree, Wadoo, AJ and Keyshawn.
We would like to thank all the coaches, league officials, staff, sponsors and parents for making this league so successful.
Coaches: Amir Smith, Daniel Aldea and Troy Bishop
Staff: Phil Smith, Jennifer Mine and Samuel Gonzalez
Team Sponsors: Council President Donald M. Payne, Jr and North Ward Center Basketall League
League Sponsors: Senator M. Teresa Ruiz, Assemblyman Albert Coutinho, Essex County Clerk Chris Durkin and Council Vice President Anibal Ramos, Jr.
NEWARK – Christmas came early for nearly 200 Newark-city youth. On Tuesday evening, New York Jets Offensive Lineman Brandon Moore and his wife Regina hosted their second annual Christmas Carnival for the children at the Boys and Girls Club-Central Ward. Becoming one of the most exciting events of the year, children enjoyed cotton candy, face paint, Italian ice, video arcade games, bounce houses and so much more. Brandon and his teammates including Bart Scott, Jamal Westerman, Santonio Holmes, Josh Baker, Nick Bellore, Kenrick Ellis, Bilal Powell, Caleb Schlauderaff, Muhammad Wilkerson, Michael Campbell and Greg McElroy battled the children in Pac Man, air hockey and foosball. Two Fish and Five Loaves provided a home-cooked meal for the event featuring ham, turkey, greens, macaroni and cheese; and more holiday favorites.
Head Coach Rex Ryan stopped by and the children of the Boys and Girls Club presented him with a cake and sang happy birthday. Coach even took the time to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas, “Give me three wins and a spot in the playoffs and I’ll be good.”
Adding to the event, The View’s Sherri Shepherd came out and practiced her dance steps for her spring appearance on Dancing with the Stars.
“Th event was fantastic and I love the time and energy that is spent with our children,” said Cynthia Banks, Vice President of Operations for the Boys and Girls Club. “It’s more than an event. The Moores are like family. It’s like a family coming together for a gathering.”
Brandon and Regina have been committed to the Newark community for the past few years. “The city often gets a bad rap, but the children here have so much to offer,” said Brandon. “I just enjoy showing my support and like for them to know that someone cares.”
Getting a head start, Santa stopped by from the North Pole and got in on the action. The kids told Santa what they wanted for Christmas and had the chance to take pictures with him.
Sixteen year-old Jahaad Jones had the time of his life. “It was awesome. I beat Coach Ryan in ping pong. He was the best out of all the players I played.”
DeAndre Jones, a six-year old member of the club was happy that he attended the carnival. “It was fun. The bounce house and cotton candy were the best”
“The Moores opened their hearts and treated our youngsters like they were their own,” said Banks. “Words can’t express how grateful we all are for them coming into the lives of Newark’s kids.”
When Jets guard Brandon Moore and his wife Regina searched the area for the perfect place to host their charity event, Newark stood out to them.
“It’s kind of similar to back home,” Moore said. “She’s from Chicago. I’m from Gary, Indiana — two tough cities to grow up in.”
So Moore got together with the Boys and Girls Club-Central Ward in Newark and held his Second Annual Moore Family Foundation Christmas Carnival on Tuesday night. They transformed the club into a carnival with video games, cotton candy, pingpong, plenty of food and an inflatable climbing wall.
“We wanted to give them a fun day to come in and just relax and be kids,” Moore said. “We forget that a lot of times these kids that live in cities like Newark or any other urban setting they have to make adult decisions that most kids don’t have to make at young ages.
“We can create a memory for them. I definitely enjoy doing it.”
Several of Moore’s teammates and coach Rex Ryan showed up to support Moore. One of those teammates was receiver Santonio Holmes, who got into a war of words with Moore earlier this season.
The kids sang “Happy Birthday” to Ryan, who turned 49 on Tuesday. The coach defeated rookie quarterback Greg McElroy in pingpong then took on a few of the kids. A few Giants fans grew quiet around Ryan.
Moore, who is the longest tenured Jets player on the active roster, said he appreciates being able to give back.
“You’ve been given so much you’re expected to give back,” Moore said. “To be in the position to do it and not even worry about it, it’s a blessing. I enjoy it. The smiles on their faces, the screaming, the laughing, that’s what I enjoy.”
As for Moore’s health, he said the week off of practice did wonders for his surgically repaired hips before the Chiefs game. The plan this week is for him to sit out Wednesday and then increase his workload Thursday and Friday.
“I went out to warm up before the [Chiefs] game and felt good,” Moore said. “I didn’t have the normal uncomfortable feeling that you have to manage through. This was something we talked about at the beginning of the year coming off surgery. The season got along and I’ve wanted to practice. It kind of got away from us. This is part of it. I’m coming off of two major surgeries. This is something we’re trying to make a playoff push. To be at my best I have to do this.”
Mayor Cory A. Booker, Newark Now President Edgar C. Izurieta, former major league baseball star and Newark Bears Vice President Dwight “Doc”Gooden, Burlington Coat Factory Marketing Vice President Wendy Siskind and representatives from private businesses, non-profit organizations, and public agencies teamed up today to host the “2009 Brighter Holidays” toy and coat giveaway to help 3,000 Newark families in need at the Newark Boys and Girls Club of Newark, located at 1 Avon Avenue.
“We have worked tirelessly since taking office to bring together private and public partners to help transform the lives of Newark’s residents and empower them with the material and spiritual tools they need to raise healthy and strong families. This event manifests our love and support of our residents who are most vulnerable and in need of support. Today we shared in the warmth of this special holiday season, while helping to build a stronger, prouder, and better Newark,” Mayor Booker said.
“During these tough economic times, there are few things more joyous than seeing the light in a child’s face when he or she receives that cherished holiday toy and coat,” said Newark Now President Edgar Izurieta. “We are delighted that so many groups partnered with us this year to make wishes come true for Newark’s youngsters.”
A wide array of organizations partnered to support this event, including The Bass Foundation, Target, Zizzle, PNC Bank, Mattel, Lionel Trains, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Standard Chartered Bank, the Sundance Channel, and Archie Comics. In addition, Burlington Coat Factory donated 3,000 new coats to Newark children.
Article & Photos Provided By Newark Now
On Saturday, December 10, the Life Camp Holiday party was held at the Life Camp site in Pottersville, NJ. Over 65 BGCN members were in attendance at the event which is held annually for the youth that attended the camp during the summer season. Both children and parents had a blast! Entertainment was provided by Boys and Girls Clubs Alumni that sang Christmas carols and played musical instruments, which really gave the event a holiday ambiance. There were also arts and crafts activities for the youth for the youth to bring home and cherish. However, most youth agreed that the best part of the party was the arrival of Mr. Claus!
We thank all the volunteers who surely put a smile on everyone’s faces, and for everyone else who pulled together during this holiday season to make this party a success!
Boys & Girls Clubs of Newark members camera-teen Davon and teen-spokesman DeQuan interview attendees including Mr. Joe Sireno about their history with the Boys & GIrls Clubs.
NEWARK — More than 1,800 people watched as three New Jersey 10-year-olds shined on stage as opening acts before seven-time Grammy award winner Gladys Knight performed at the Boys & Girls Club of New Jersey’s ninth annual Concert for Kids. The concert took place on Nov. 9 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark.
“We were thrilled to have had such a great turn out this year,” said Connie Ludwin, CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs in New Jersey. “Not only did we raise money for the children of New Jersey, but we were also able to give back to the Lodi location that was devastated by Hurricane Irene. It is the amazing network of people that keeps this organization going strong.” …
We congratulate John Strangfeld, chairman and CEO, as well as his leadership team who has been a wonderful addition to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newark family on their 2011 DiversityInc Special Award.
“We at Prudential are very proud of what we do in the area of community service. As corporate citizens, we’ve come to realize that this is not always easy. Therefore what we’ve been doing through our foundation has been to build community capacity, strength for initiatives that help nonprofits function better and enhance their ability to be continually effective in the community. It’s not just about having programs: it’s about enabling these nonprofits in making decisions and to use their resources to achieve levels of success that have not historically been achieved. We are all called to be leaders in different ways, to create a hybrid of sustainability.”
Please watch and share this video of Prudential Financial’s 2011 DiversityInc Special Award! You can read the full article here: http://diversityinc.com/diversity-management/video-of-2011-diversityinc-special-awards-prudential-financial/
On Tuesday, November 8th, 40 BGCN youth visited Velocity Sports Performance in Parsippany, NJ where they met students from Mountain Lakes High School and were surprised with new bikes, helmets, and bike locks for everyone. The bikes were newly built by the Mountain Lakes High School students under the supervision of Velocity Sports Performance. Boy were our youth surprised! What an awesome surprise and an even more amazing gift for our youth, who before now have never owned a bike.
We would like to send a HUGE BGCN Thank You to Velocity Sports Performance and Mountain Lakes High School!