• “What good is a dream if you don’t share it with others?” – Denzel Washington

Bear with us while we drop a few names – Jennifer Lopez, Shaquille O’Neal, Gale Sayers, Mark Wahlberg, Edward James Olmos, General Wesley Clark, Usher.

They are actors, Academy Award winners, recording artists, NBA stars, U.S. Army Generals, NFL legends and more. The people on this list may be famous now but their Great Futures were unlocked at a Boys & Girls Club.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming have been unlocking doors for the youth of Casper since 1969, impacting countless youth. No doubt those youngsters have grown up into amazing adults! To tap into that success and to bring inspiration to the current youth at the Club, the newly launched Alumni & Friends Association is looking for all former Club kids.

You don’t have to be a former member of the local Club, in fact, Mike Cavalier was a Club kid in his hometown near Santa Barbara, CA and is now on the steering committee of the BGCCW Alumni & Friends Association.

“For me, the Club offered opportunities I couldn’t get in school,” said Cavalier, radio executive at Mt. Rushmore Broadcasting. “I want to be able to help bridge the gaps for youth in socializing, training, and other opportunities.”

The Alumni Association will provide volunteer opportunities for members in support of the Club, provide leadership and the means for former members to support and strengthen the Club, afford members to be role models and showcase how the Club experience helped shape their “Great Future” and encourage current members to define their own “Great Future.”

There are different commitment options to help members customize their involvement according to their schedule. Quarterly meetings will be held in April, July, and October. The group will host a Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon, Service Day at the Club and Alumni Day at the Club.

Cavalier says this group will also provide professional development and networking opportunities for members. “It will help me grow personally and professionally while helping others grow.”

If you are a former Club kid or a friend of the Club and are interested in joining this new organization, contact Lou Bruggman at (307) 235-4079.

“Say yes to youth. Say yes to you.”