BGC News Spring 2016 | Page 2

Message from the Executive Director Lou’s Letter Walk of Hope Tour Curious about life on our campus and in our cottages? Would you like to see first-hand the warm, family-oriented home your support makes possible? Come join us for a tour of our campus and cottages. It’s an hour of wonderful stories, great information and an inside look at where our children live. This is not a fundraising event. Bring only an open heart and a friend. Saturdays at 10 a.m. Below are the dates for 2016. You can find more information on our website. •May 7–Spring Festival •October 1 (ticketed event) •November 5 •September 3 it felt like everyone was just treading water.” Yet, every Tuesday just before lunch, Mr. Tommy and Mr. Jack met and “Whatever you think you can or can’t took weekly steps to get the program do…..” in place, closer to the dream they had in mind. Between the Robinsons’ What a miracle Boys and Girls Country business sense, their partners’ investis still here, still teaching and nurturing ments in the program (who became kids in a Christian family home 45 years our board) and Mr. Tommy’s expertise after our founders started Boys in building and developing properties, Country. At each anniversary we reflect Boys Country emerged “unlike anything and are grateful for those who went else available,” both then and now. before us. We still share the big dreams of our kids In 1971, Tommy and Jean Robinson and their families. We still pray every wanted to do more for kids than what day and encourage our kids to know all their sponsorship of a Christian their limits are self-imposed. We still after-school program was accomplishlive out our belief that serving God, ing. This bright couple pulled their coupled with hard work, will pay many friends and business acquaintances dividends. We teach our kids we don’t together, donated the land and started guarantee equal outcomes, but we do the dream of a “Christian home for guarantee them an equal opportunity children.” They knew Christianity and the road to opportunity begins in wasn’t about fighting over ideologies. the classroom. Finally, we know for It’s about all Christians working togeth- many problems there are no answers, er to serve others. Mr. Tommy wrote but there are people who answer. We that he and Ms. Jean wanted the are so grateful for 45 years of sacrifices “spiritual activities to be the most made by all of you. Ms. Jean always important effort at Boys Country.” Just tells me, “Remember to tell them Lou, as their new program was starting, Mr. no gift is too small. All of this was Tommy and Ms. Jean would go after started with a $25 donation.” And so it church to the Houston bayous and continues. We strive to remain dig up little saplings and drive to Boys worthy of the sacrifice of those who Country. They would get down on their went before us and know heroic things hands and knees and plant the beautistill happen when people get involved. ful trees which you see on our campus We all have the power to make a today. They made so many personal difference in the lives of children. investments! “Whatever you think you can or can’t The first executive director was Jack do, you’re right.” - Henry Ford Brewer. Jack and his wife, Carolyn, have since retired to Tomball, Texas and visit the campus every Spring Festival as well as visit with me several times Lou Palma during the year. Jack takes no credit Executive Director for the program’s longevity and turns all recognition to the Robinsons. “They were the key,” he states. The first years were such a challenge and “sometimes Make your contribution online! Give securely online at www.boysandgirlscountry.org/donate 2 Boys and Girls Country News | Spring 2016