The Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley (BGCEV) is partnering with the Arizona Cardinals, the NFL Grassroots Program, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and The Thunderbirds to construct a football / multipurpose athletic field at the BGCEV Thunderbirds Branch-Guadalupe. The project will include installation of new turf/football field, a shaded play structure, and a sport court.
Arizona Cardinals President Michael Bidwill said “We are happy to assist our neighbors at the Thunderbird Branch-Guadalupe Boys & Girls Club with this project in our back yard. The opportunities this field will provide for kids to play football and other youth sports on a year round basis will give them more opportunities to stay active and healthy.”
Mayor Rebecca Jimenez from the town of Guadalupe said “The Guadalupe community is thankful and appreciative of this support from the NFL, LISC and The Thunderbirds to build this football field for our children and families. This will be one of the jewels in the Town of Guadalupe, and will give our kids a first class field to play many sports on and exercise, as well as hold various community activities as well.”
Thunderbirds Big Chief Tom Altieri said, “This new football/multipurpose field is a really exciting addition to the Thunderbird Branch-Guadalupe Boys & Girls Club. The Thunderbirds are proud to support this project as well as the youth and community activities this field will host.”
“The Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley is excited and appreciative to partner with the National Football League, the Arizona Cardinals, The Thunderbirds and LISC in providing more youth football and sports opportunities for our club kids and families, and the Guadalupe community as a whole. This field fits right into our healthy lifestyles initiative by providing easy access to a multi-purpose field that will be used for all kinds of activities by our club members, including our flag football program.”
The funding provided will help Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley Thunderbirds Branch- Guadalupe maintain its commitment to healthy lifestyles for all Club members with sports and fitness programs that will help youth stay engaged with physical activities on a year round basis.
The BGCEV Thunderbirds Branch-Guadalupe celebrated the field ground breaking on May 14th from 1:30-3:00 p.m.
About NFL Grassroots Program
The NFL Grassroots Program is a partnership of the National Football League Foundation and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation to provide non-profit, neighborhood-based organizations, middle schools and high schools with financing and technical assistance to improve the quality, safety and accessibility of local football fields. Parks and ball fields can serve as tremendous community assets because they offer opportunities for recreation, education, and fitness that contribute to the quality of life, especially for young people. Since 1998 the NFL Grassroots Program has awarded more than $35 million in grants for 273 projects in more than 70 cities across the country.
About The Thunderbirds
The Thunderbirds were founded in 1937 with the mission of promoting the Valley of the Sun through sports. The Thunderbirds consist of 55 “active” members and more than 250 “life” members and annually play host to the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament. The Thunderbirds have raised more than $85 million for charities, with more than $55 million generated since 2004. The 2015 edition will mark the 80th playing of the event, making it one of the five oldest events on the PGA TOUR (not including the major championships). For more information on the Thunderbirds or the 2015 Waste Management Phoenix Open, call the Thunderbirds office at (602) 870-0163 or visit www.wmphoenixopen.com.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley is a community based, character building youth development organization. We deliver the highest quality programs and provide opportunities to assist youth and teens in developing their self-esteem, values and skills in a fun and safe environment. Our professionals guide members through personal, educational, and social development, to realize their full potential and become positive, value-oriented and productive citizens. Our vision is to be the premier provider of youth services reaching all youth and teens in the communities we serve.
Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley offers programs in five Core Program Areas: Character & Leadership Development, Education & Career Development, Health & Life Skills, The Arts, and Sports, Fitness & Recreation. Impact is demonstrated in three priority outcomes: Academic Success, Good Character & Citizenship, and Healthy Lifestyles.
Currently we operate 12 branches and an Arts Based Charter School while serving more than 39,000 youth and teens in our East Valley Communities of Apache Junction, Chandler, Gilbert, Gila River Indian Community, Globe, Guadalupe, Mesa, Queen Creek and Tempe.