Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida

Did you know you can make a difference while you shop? Get ready for amazing Black Friday deals at our Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida Thrift Store! This year, we're discounting our already great prices, making it the perfect time to snag some incredible finds. Whether you're shopping for colleagues, friends, or family, our store has something for everyone! But that's not all! As you make room for new gifts this holiday season, consider donating your gently-used items to our thrift store. Your donations help support our mission to serve over 12,000 children in Central Florida each year. Visit us at 2054 SR 436, Suite #140 in Winter Park. We're open Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Together, we can spread joy and support our community this holiday season!

At Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, we have so much to be thankful for this season! 🦃✨ A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has contributed to making this Thanksgiving special for our youth and teens. 🙏 From delicious meals to engaging crafts and exciting adventures, our Club members are truly fortunate to have the support of our generous Central Florida community. Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! 💖 #Thanksgiving #Gratitude #CommunitySupport

Happy Thanksgiving from our BGCCF Club members and President & CEO Jamie Merrill! We’re grateful for everyone who helps make our work possible! 🦃 #thanksgiving #gratitude #happythanksgivng #greatfuturesstarthere

One of our Club members just had an out-of-this-world experience! 🛰️ Zoey was selected by SPACEKIDS GLOBAL as one of eight winners for the 2024 SpaceKids Press Squad. This stellar opportunity brought her to NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Kennedy Space Center — where she learned all about the space program, watched the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, and interviewed SpaceKids Global's founder Sharon Hagle who had just returned to Earth. By collaborating with organizations like SpaceKids Global, we're helping children understand that no dream is too high, and no career is out of reach. #SpaceKidsGlobal #GreatFuturesStartHere #STEM #YouthEmpowerment

As we continue our Week of Gratitude, today we want to shine a spotlight on an incredible member of our BGCCF family: Shamel Akins, the Service Director of our West Orange Branch — which is soon to expand in a new location. Shamel has been with BGCCF for two years, and his passion for working with kids truly makes him a standout leader. He shares: “I love working with kids; it’s truly a dream come true for me. Being a role model in my local community, giving back, and being a part of our future leaders’ lives are what make this work so meaningful to me." Thank you, Shamel, for your dedication, your heart, and your unwavering commitment to our kids and community. You inspire us all! #WeekOfGratitude #CommunityLeader #GreatFuturesStartHere #WestOrange #CentralFlorida #Thanksgiving

Next up in our Week of Gratitude shout-outs is Jacquelyn Alexander, known as Ms. JLove by our Club members! 🎉 Since 2019, Ms. JLove has been a dedicated volunteer with Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, where she leads the JLoveKids Etiquette and Life Skills LLC program. Through her efforts, Ms. JLove has positively impacted over 500 Club members across multiple locations, teaching essential etiquette skills that prepare our youth for future success. The program provides valuable sessions that help students learn to conduct themselves professionally, equipping them with the confidence and tools to have a seat at any table. We are incredibly grateful for Ms. JLove's commitment to fostering the growth and development of our young people! 🙌💖 #Gratitude #CommunitySupport #ThankYou #GreatFuturesStartHere #Thanksgiving

This week, we are celebrating a Week of Gratitude, taking the time to express our heartfelt thanks to those who make a significant impact on our Clubs and community. First and foremost, we extend a special thank you to Gary Kaltbaum. As a dedicated donor, volunteer, and board member, Gary is an integral part of our Club community. One of Gary’s remarkable contributions to Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida (BGCCF) is the establishment of our Blessings Banquet, where we provide Club members with a Thanksgiving feast. Notably, during the challenges of COVID-19, Gary went above and beyond by personally underwriting Blessing Baskets for 100 families, ensuring they received support when we could not host the event in person. We are immensely grateful to Gary and all of our generous donors who continue to make a difference in the lives of the youth and teens who need it most. Thank you! #GreatFuturesStartHere #WeekOfGratitude #Thanksgiving 

Join us in celebrating the enchanting sights and sounds of the holiday season! This showcase of creativity through visual and performance arts promises to be a festive event you won’t want to miss. Thank you to United Arts of Central Florida and Valencia College for helping to make this Youth Arts Initiative event possible.

Our hearts are FULL of gratitude! 🦃 Thank you corie murray with Black Men Sundays for giving out turkeys to families at THREE Clubs! And thank you to New Journey Youth Center for rolling up your sleeves and volunteering! #GreatFuturesStartHere #Thanksgiving #HappyThanksgiving #Volunteer #Orlando #CentralFlorida

We are incredibly grateful to Synchrony for hosting a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner for our Club youth at the East Altamonte Branch. Corporate partnerships like this make a significant difference in the lives of our young members by providing them with valuable experiences and opportunities. Thank you for taking the time to connect with our members and for bringing joy to their faces! Together, we are making a lasting impact! #GreatFuturesStartHere #Volunteer #Thanksgiving #CentralFlorida