BGC News Spring 2016 | Page 4

45th Anniversary Boys and Girls Country: Then and Now Then Then Then 4 In 1971 the cost of a gallon of gas was 40 cents, a new stock market index called Nasdaq debuted, Federal Express was started by Fred Smith, Apollo 14 landed on the moon, Walt Disney World Resort opened in Florida and Boys Country opened its doors to at-risk teens. What started as an after-school program quickly grew into a home for boys needing help with more than just school work. A few years later, Girls Country was established a few miles away on a similar campus. In 45 years, our home has grown from a single portable building to 14 cottages across two campuses and beautiful facilities in which our kids can learn, play and grow. The landscape may have changed over the years, but the mission has remained the same: to change the lives of children from families in crisis by loving and nurturing them in a Christian home environment, raising them to become self-sustaining and contributing adults. As we celebrate our 45th anniversary, included in this issue is a comment from one of our Lifetime Honorary Board members and a story on one of our longtime donors. You will see other Then stories from alumni, long-time employees and donors, board member comments and alumni in future issues; all to show the Now impact you have made since the doors of Boys and Girls Country have been open. My association began many years ago when I was invited to participate and bid on steers at Spring Festival. This activity led to my being nominated and elected to the Board of Directors when Mr. Robinson chaired the Board. Observing the effectiveness of the home in the lives of displaced children had special interest to me since my Dad was raised in a famous Christian orphanage in Philadelphia (Girard College). Through the years I have witnessed changes in leadership and the effectiveness of a dedicated staff and board which has resulted in greater resources to carry on the Boys and Girls Country mission. I am very honored and humbled to have played a very small role in witnessing God’s work in our community. Leonard A. Bedell Honorary Lifetime Board Member If you are a former board member, long-time volunteer or alumni, we would love to hear from you. Contact Kim Crider, [email protected] or call 281-351-5293. Boys and Girls Country News | Spring 2016