CLEVELAND — WKYC Studios and Oswald Companies are partnering to broadcast a fundraising telethon today on 3News from 5:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. The goal of our media coverage? To raise critically needed dollars for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio, which recently had to close more than a dozen clubs due to federal funding cuts.
You can make a donation HERE.
BGCNEO was formed in 2019 by the merger of clubs in Cleveland, Akron, Lorain County, and Sandusky. The organization provides kids ages 6-18 with free homework help, sport activities and meals.
There are now 32 clubs open across Cuyahoga, Summit, Lorain, Erie, Huron, and Ashtabula. A year ago, however, there were 49 clubs.
BGCNEO has made a big impact in our region, providing supervised afterschool care for youths and offering them enriching activities and nutritious meals. Last year, the organization gave out 300,000 free meals.
Additionally, kids who belong to the Boys & Girls Clubs tend to perform better academically. According to the organization's website, "76% of low-income Club members ages 12-18 who attend the Club regularly reported receiving mostly As and Bs, compared to 67% of their peers nationally."
Kris Figueroa, an alumnus of the Cleveland Boys & Girls Clubs and now chief financial officer of MarshBerry, credits the organization for his success.
“The Boys & Girls Club has impacted my life in many ways. I spent my entire childhood in my family home on the west side of Cleveland and the club was a constant in my life as I was worked through and navigated a lot of extremely tough things,” said Figueroa. “As I reflected on those times, I do think the clubs likely saved my life.”
With the help of the club, Figueroa held his first job, received scholarships and graduated college with little debt. “I cannot think about my life and my story without the Boys & Girls Clubs,” he said.
Figueroa’s story sheds light on the negative effect that shutting down clubs will have on current students and families relying on its services. That is why WKYC Studios is spreading the word on ways viewers can financially help. It is also why Oswald Companies is making a $10,000 donation.
During 3News' daylong coverage, viewers can expect to hear from club participants, alumni, and supporters who will describe the effects the clubs have had in their lives. Viewers will also be asked to donate online, text or by phone.
Each donation of $25 or more will automatically enter donors in a drawing for two premium tickets to any Ohio State football home game or any Browns home game, except the Nov. 21 contest against the Steelers. Winners will be notified after the telethon.
Money raised from the telethon will enable the clubs to serve more children in Cleveland and across Northeast Ohio by increasing membership capacity at their sites.