General Russel L. Honoré To Keynote Boys & Girls Clubs’ Annual Great Futures Gala
Durham, NC – General Russel L. Honoré, the commander of Joint Task Force Katrina, will be the keynote speaker of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Durham and Orange Counties’ largest fundraising event, the Great Futures Gala. The event will take place on October 14, 2017 at the Durham Convention Center (301 West Morgan Street) at 7 p.m. A VIP reception for special guests and sponsors to meet and greet the keynote speaker and honorees precedes the gala at 6 p.m.
The Club’s mission is to inspire and enable all young people, particularly those most in need, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. The Great Futures Gala is dedicated to raising funds to support academic and life skills programming for children in Durham and Orange Counties. With a goal of raising $70,000, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Durham and Orange Counties invites the community to become a part of supporting and transforming the lives of our youth.
Keynote speaker General Russel L. Honoré, the commander of Joint Task Force Katrina, is known as the “Category 5 General” for his striking leadership style in coordinating military relief efforts in post-hurricane New Orleans. A decorated 37-year army veteran and global authority on leadership and emergency preparedness, Gen. Honoré now shares his no-nonsense approach to getting the job done by showing organizations how to successfully lead and execute a mission.
The event will also feature special guest Gilbert Baez, television reporter and journalist for WRAL, and lifetime advocate for Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Award-winning News & Observer columnist, journalist, author, and reporter Barry Saunders will serve as host and emcee.
“We are grateful for a year of growth and the continued investment of our expanding communities of Durham and Orange County in the lives of our youth, and we look forward to once again share the work and growing programs of this 78-year-old organization,” said Jerome Levisy, CEO, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Durham and Orange Counties.
“We are also thankful for our event sponsors, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, The Glass Jug, Square 1 Bank, PNC Bank, First Citizens Bank, The City of Durham, and Frasier and Griffin who allow our club to hold this major, annual fundraising event.”
Ticket and sponsorship information is available on the Club’s website at http://bgcdoc.org/great-futuresgala/.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Durham and Orange Counties
The mission of the Boys & Girls Club of Durham and Orange Counties is to inspire and enable all young people, particularly those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.
BGCDOC was established in Durham in 1939 as a dedication to the community service of John Moses Avery. The Club has served over 100,000 youth in Durham since its conception, and currently serves over 150 at-risk youth, ages 6-18, in Durham and Orange Counties every day. The Club has been a steadfast champion in encouraging the success of Durham’s children. Charging no more than $10 per year, BGCDOC provides a unique after-school and summer camp experience that helps students academically and in life.
Programs include Knowledge Builders (a one-on-one tutoring program), Healthy Habits, Yoga, Power Hour (a homework hour), reading assistance, “Smart” programs, field trips, cooking, and more.