Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Alabama Combats Obesity through Healthy Habits Program
Birmingham, Alabama – July 14, 2010 – Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Alabama (BGCCA)Healthy Habits program is helping defeat Alabama’s exceptionally high obesity rates by teaching youth the importance and benefits of eating right and being physically active. The Healthy Habits program has recieved a $6,000 grant in partnership with Wal-Mart to allow at least 50 children at the club’s Hueytown unit to have the opportunity to have a healthy snack every day and to learn the importance of staying healthy.
Since the programs inception in 2009 the state of Alabama still has the 2nd highest rate of adult obesity in the nation, at 31.6 percent, according to a report by Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). However, Alabama’s percentage of overweight youths (ages 10-17) has dropped to 17.9% (compared to 36.1% from 2009) moving Alabama from 6th to 14th.
With this great improvement in the percentages of our youth in only one year it shows that the Healthy Habits program is making an impact. Healthy Habits goal is to be a generation-changing and life-enhancing program. “I believe that the program has really helped change they way kids look at unhealthy foods,” said Laramie Capps Athletic Director of Boys & Girls Club of Central Alabama Hueytown Unit.
A recent Harris Interactive survey of Boys & Girls Club alumni found that 80 percent reported the Boys and Girls Club had a positive impact on teaching them about health and fitness.
The Healthy Habits program is designed for kids ages 6 to 15; the program aims to incorporate healthy living and active learning in every part of the Club experience. “One thing we always promote at the Boys and Girls Club is kids being active and making exercise fun” Jamie Gilmore, Unit Director of the Hueytown Club said.
Swimming, basketball, and soccer are just a few of the activities the youth at the Boys and Girls Clubs participate in to stay active. “We want to show the kids that they can stay healthy by just playing the games they love” Gilmore said
“Our young people know they can have a future and BE GREAT because the Club provides caring, concerned adults who tell them so and show them how every day. As a trusted community partner, we are responsible for our kids – their successes and failures alike – and it is our collective responsibility to equip them with the skills and motivation to reach their full potential,” said Tom Cleckler, President/CEO BGCCA
Ruben Studdard Unveils New Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Alabama Billboards- November 18, 2009
On November 18th at 3:30pm Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Alabama (BGCCA) alumnus Ruben Studdard unveiled a new billboard campaign in front of many at the Boys & Girls Club of Hueytown. “BE AN IDOL” billboards starring Studdard have been placed in the Birmingham area.
Billboards proclaiming the Boys & Girls Clubs’ new BE GREAT advocacy campaign have been posted, free of charge, courtesy of Lamar Advertising Company. The messages are part of a nationwide initiative by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) to highlight the key issues affecting today’s young people, and the key role community-based organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs play in helping kids graduate from high school, achieve a healthy lifestyle, and develop good character traits. “BE AN IDOL” is the newest message of the “BE GREAT” campaign and is the perfect fit for Ruben’s hometown of Birmingham .
“BE GREAT is a call to action to kids, that says they can and must realize their full potential to become productive, responsible and caring citizens,” said Tom Cleckler CEO/President of “However, it is also a call to action to adults, to raise awareness about the key issues, and to generate support for the mission of the Clubs. A future Ruben Studdard is at one of our Clubs right now. We want to make sure that every child – and every young person – has every chance to succeed and dream big.”
The BE GREAT campaign emphasizes a spirit of optimism and hope, reinforcing the positive benefits of Boys & Girls Clubs by focusing on the personal success stories of accomplished alumni, celebrities and non-celebrities alike.
The BE GREAT ads are part of a nationwide partnership between BGCA and the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA) resulting in the posting of out-of-home messaging across the country in a variety of venues, including billboards, bus shelters, shopping malls, taxi tops and airports. BGCA was named an OAAA national public service partner in 2008.
“Boys & Girls Clubs of America is an organization dedicated to helping our nation’s young people and we can think of no better cause where we could lend our support,” said OAAA President and CEO Nancy Fletcher. “Our member companies are good community citizens and their willingness to post this campaign for free is just another example of their dedication to the community.”
Kalyn Landreth Named 2008 Youth of the Year - Saturday, February 14, 2009
Birmingham, AL - Kalyn Landreth, a Senior at Pleasant Grove High School, was named the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Alabama's Youth of the Year at the Annual Awards dinner on February 3, 2009, at the Embassy Suites in Birmingham.
Kalyn is a second generation club member, following in the footsteps of her father, Chris. She has been a member of the Hueytown Club since the age of twelve.
As Youth of the Year, Kalyn received a $3000 scholarship to the college of her choice, a laptop computer and printer. Kalyn now has the opportunity to represent the BGCCA at the State Youth of the Year contest in March. She has been accepted to the University of Montevallo and plans to major in Elementary Education.
BGCCA President/CEO Named Southeast Executive of the Year - Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Tom Cleckler was named Southeast Regional Executive of the Year by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Professional Association at their annual conference held in Charlotte, NC.
Cleckler has been the President/CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Alabama for the past twenty-nine years. During this time the club (formerly known as the Birmingham Boys Club) has seen unprecedented growth and development. Currently the organization operates in three counties (Jefferson, Walker, and St. Clair), owns two full service 16,000 square foot facilities, and runs eight clubs offering after-school and summer youth development programs. Alumni of the Central Alabama club include celebrities such as American Idol Ruben Studdard, and NFL Super Bowl Champion New England Patriot Chad Jackson.
However, perhaps more important to Cleckler are the club alumni who have grown up to become great citizens of their communities. “Our alumni make the Birmingham metropolitan area a better place to live. They are our teachers, our police officers, our business men and women who give back to their communities by the lives they lead everyday.”
“I know the Lord was with me the day I picked up the phone and called Tommy to tell him about the Club,” stated Bill Legg, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Alabama’s long time Board Treasurer. At that time Cleckler was an Assistant Principal at McAdory High School. He had worked as a teacher, coach, and administrator for the past twenty-one years in the Jefferson County School System. “I told Bill I would talk to the Board of Directors and maybe take the job for one year. Then I wanted to get back into coaching. Once I got to the club, met the kids, and saw the potential – I never looked back. That was the best phone call I have ever received,” said Cleckler.
“While it is no surprise to those of us who have seen the fruits of your hard work, we are glad to see that the rest of the Boys and Girls clubs throughout our region and the nation can now appreciate and recognize your special skills and talents. Thanks for all that you do for us and for the children. We are proud of you,” stated Hank Long, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Alabama’s Board Chairman in a recent email to Cleckler and the other Board members upon the announcement of this prestigious award.
BGCCA Announces Launch of New Website - Thursday, January 1, 2009
The Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Alabama is pleased to announce the re-launch of www.bgcca.org. In co-operation with the Birmingham Based web developers at Inline, www.bgcca.org is taking on a whole new look. The site will enhance our new tag line Influence...Inspire...Impact. As an organization we feel that these three words sum up what we do in the lives of the children of Central Alabama on a daily basis.
The new website is designed to provide helpful information for parents who are interested in finding out more about the BGCCA for their children, current members and their families to be able to see what is going on daily at the Clubs, and our stakeholders who are so important in keeping the clubs open through their support.
For over a century, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Alabama has made an Impact on the communities in and around the Greater Birmingham area. One of the new and most important elements to the site are success stories on the Influence the BGCCA has made in the lives of its members. We hope that these stories will Inspire others to join with us and create a positive place for the children of Central Alabama.
CARMAX Cares about the Boys & Girls Club of Hueytown - June 17, 2009
The employees from CARMAX in Hoover showed the members of the Boys & Girls Club of Hueytown how much they CARE by donating their time for a Wet N Wild Fun Day for the Club last Wednesday, June 17th. About 15 CARMAX volunteers joined the staff of the club in putting together a morning of face painting, water relays, dodgeball, water balloons, and a dunking booth for the members enjoy. Along with the event the CARMAX Foundation will be donating $1000 for the club's operating account. "The professionals at CARMAX got involved with the kids and had a great time. They are a great example of a company that spends time involved in the community that they and their customers live in. What a great example for our kids! We truly appreciate their time, enthusiasm and commitment," said Tom Cleckler, President/CEO of the BGCCA.
See the Hueytown Photo Gallery for pictures of this Great event.