ALEX WILLSON: Boy & Girls Clubs of Albany a smart investment

Great Futures Start Here is the motto of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and nowhere is this motto better on display than at the Albany Club’s annual fundraiser, the Steak and Burger Dinner. If you are not familiar with the event, it is the principal fundraiser for The Boys & Girls Club of Albany, an organization critical for the youth of our city.

A single ticket ($125) or table ($500) investment to Steak and Burger (and note the word “investment” rather than donation … more on that in a bit) allows one to dine with local Club members and discuss how the Club has impacted their lives.

This year seven-time Olympic medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee is the featured speaker — an amazing athlete with an incredible story. And while Mrs. Joyner-Kersee will undoubtedly be great, I’d venture to say that the speeches from the three nominees for 2017 Youth of the Year will steal the show, much as they did last year. The 2016 Albany Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year Keimon Jefferson delivered one of the best speeches I have ever heard, and he was 17 at the time.

So what does one’s investment in The Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany do?

It will positively impact over 3,000 of Albany’s youth with support and guidance from adult role models. It will provide safe, fun and structured environments for kids during critical after school hours. It will provide leadership training through its Keystone Club and Torch Club. It will strive for success in each child in its three outcome areas of Academic Success, Good Character and Citizenship and Healthy Lifestyles. It will do more than I can elaborate on in such a small space. An investment in the Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany yields incredible returns, but you do not have to take my word for it.

In 2015, The Boys & Girls Clubs of America engaged researchers at the Institute for Social Research and the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan to conduct a national study to estimate the return on investment (ROI) of the services Boys & Girls Clubs provide to youth and their families. The ROI analysis examined how the costs required to provide Club programming compare to the long-term benefits for youth and families in economic terms. The conclusion of this study found that every dollar invested in Boys & Girls Clubs of Georgia returns $7.20 in current and future earnings and cost savings to Georgia communities.

I’d urge you to consider an investment in the Clubs if able. A return of $7.20 on the dollar is extremely strong. Tickets and table sponsorships are available to Steak and Burger, held at Albany State’s West Campus Arena on March 23, by calling (229) 439-0196. Additionally, you can text SNB2017 to 91999 to invest in the Clubs. As the aforementioned study shows, great futures really do start here with an investment in the Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany.

Alex Willson is the chief operating officer of Sunnyland Farms. Before working at Sunnyland Farms, Willson worked in equity compensation for 10 years with E*TRADE Financial in Atlanta and UBS Financial Services in Nashville, Tenn.