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For press inquiries, contact Betsy Owens, Vice President of Marketing & Community Relations, at bowens@bgccf.org. For archived news and press releases, please click here >>
2023 News & Press Releases
Orlando Magic players host holiday shopping spree
By: Orlando Sentinel
Date: December 14, 2023
Orlando Magic players teamed up with Pepsi for a holiday shopping spree for 100 members from three Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida branches.
We are at crisis point in addressing youth mental health
By: Orlando Sentinel
Date: December 12, 2023
Our President & CEO, Jamie Merrill, addresses youth mental illness and what we can do to confront the burgeoning problem. Opening the lines of communication is the first step.
New computer center to help families with internet access
By: WFTV9
Date: December 7, 2023
Officials cut the ribbon on a new computer center at the Bradley-Otis Family Branch, with donated equipment worth $50,000. This will help families who have trouble getting online
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Fl hires new CEO to replace longtime leader
By: Orlando Sentinel
Date: August 3, 2023
“My biggest priority is going to be to get into the Clubs and to see how the Clubs operate and to interact with my team and the children,” Jamie Merrill said.
Disney’s ‘Rock Star Robotics’ center opens Boys & Girls Clubs
By: News 6 Orlando
Date: July 14, 2023
Students at Boys & Girls Clubs now have a new place to enhance their STEM skills and reach for their dreams. A new robotics room had opened at the Walt Disney World Clubhouse.
Club members invited to AdventHealth University science summer camp
By: WESH 2 News
Date: June 28, 2023
A special summer camp in Orlando took students out of their homes and into the science lab. It’s part of a larger effort to save our streets and keep kids on the right path.
BGCCF’s CEO reflects on 55-year career, what it takes to be successful
By: News 6 Orlando
Date: April 13, 2023
Gary Cain has led BGCCF for nearly three decades. Now he’s about to retire. And Cain has certainly gotten results, growing the chapter into one of the largest in the country.
Gary Cain of the Boys & Girls Clubs is our Central Floridian of the Year
By: Orlando Sentinel
Date: February 2, 2023
The Orlando Sentinel is proud to announce our Central Floridian of the Year: Gary Cain, the long-serving CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, who is retiring.
2022 News & Press Releases
Aspiring ballerina’s generosity catches hearts of Ukrainian dancers
By: News 6 Orlando
Date: August 31, 2022
Three young members of the Boys & Girls Club got the opportunity of a lifetime, after attending a benefit for the National Ballet of Ukraine and giving all they had: $1.47.
Ribbon cutting for new Leesburg Club teen center
By: Daily Commercial
Date: June 8, 2022
Dozens gathered in the morning sun at the Leesburg Recreational Complex as city leaders and Boys & Girls Club representatives came together to celebrate the grand opening.
Jacqueline Bradley and Clarence Otis Family Branch Feature
By: News 6 Orlando
Date: May 27, 2022
Philanthropists Jacqueline Bradley and Clarence Otis talk about their passion for service and their hopes and dreams for their Boys & Girls Club in Orlando’s West Lakes neighborhood.
Young dancers learn from trailblazing ballerina in West Lakes neighborhood
By: News 6 Orlando
Date: February 22, 2022
A handful of tiny dancers learn ballet class at the Bradley-Otis Family Branch. For most of these girls, this is their introduction to ballet or any kind of formal dance.
Historic Brevard County home becomes new Boys & Girls Club
By: News 6 Orlando
Date: January 8, 2022
A historic Brevard County home has added a new chapter. The Carter House in Titusville, built in 1915 and designated a historic property by the city, is now a Boys & Girls Club.
Making an impact during National Mentoring Month
By: Spectrum News 13
Date: January 6, 2022
Austin Long has been involved in the Boys & Girls Clubs for most of his life, first as a member and then as a mentor. He has touched countless kids’ lives in nearly 25 years of service.
2021 News & Press Releases
Mayor Jerry Demings is a Boys & Girls Club Hall of Famer
By: WFTV 9
Date: May 6, 2021
You can add Hall of Famer to the list of titles Mayor Jerry Demings has earned. BGCA inducted the Orange County mayor into its 2021 Alumni Hall of Fame.
2021 Youth of the Year: Congratulations, Tyler!
By: News 6 Orlando
Date: March 9, 2021
Each year, we honor our most outstanding teen member as Youth of the Year. News 6 anchor Lisa Bell arranged a fake “interview” with Tyler of our Walt Disney World Clubhouse.
Osceola Woman Hopes to Help Young Girls Become Best They Can Be
Spectrum News 13
Date: March 8, 2021
One young woman in Kissimmee is empowering little girls to be the best version of themselves. Lia Sierra started going to the Club as a sixth-grader, soon after arriving from Puerto Rico.