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