Download the Spring 2008 issue of Hand in Hand:
Spring 2008(PDF)

Highlights from the Winter 2007 issue of
Hand in Hand:

Making Music Matter with Charter One Bank



On Tuesday, February 5, 2008 Charter One Bank presented the Louis L. Valentine Boys & Girls Club with a $25,000 check for its new music room and program. Charter One Bank’s “Making Music Matter” program recognizes and supports local not-for-profit organizations by raising much-needed funds at select concerts throughout the summer.

Several gently used musical instruments were collected at local Charter One branches and donated specifically for the music program. Thanks to Charter One, the Valentine Club now offers music lessons to Club members in beginning and intermediate piano, beginning and intermediate guitar, drums, youth choir and electronic music and song production.

First Look for Charity 2008

The 2008 Chicago Auto Show’s First Look for Charity event was another fundraising success for Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago. Our grand total from this year’s event was over $400,000 which is up from last year by $15,000. The event was held on February 7, 2008 at McCormick Place. Many thanks to go out to BGCC Board Member Ted Cesarz of Crow, Chizek & Co. for his help in securing Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago’s place as one of the recipients for the First Look for Charity event.

First Look for Charity is a great way for BGCC to raise awareness and the necessary funds that help us deliver programs to even more Chicagoland youth. BGCC is one of 19 charities to benefit from this event. The black-tie affair allowed participants to check out the public portion of the Chicago Auto Show while enjoying hors d’oeuvres, champagne, wine and soft drinks.

Left to Right: Robert Howard, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago; Paul Holdridge, Toyota Motor Sales, Chicago Region General Manager; Sidney Johnson, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Club Director.