Georgetown, Boys and Girls Club, Amplify Austin Christian Washington, 7, holds the door open for guests at the Boys & Girls Club of Georgetown annual banquet on March 2.[/caption]

The Boys and Girls Club of Georgetown kicked off its Amplify Austin fundraising efforts with its annual awards banquet March 2 at the Georgetown Community Center.

The organization hoped to raise at least $25,000. Georgetown’s Gordon and Bettye Logan of SportClips Haircuts pledged to match all money raised to that goal.

“It’s a safe place where they are supported and loved; a home away from home. These kids are our future, and they deserve the support of our community,” said Gordon Logan, founder and CEO of Sport Clips. “Daniel and his staff run a first-class operation in a very efficient manner, and these donations will go a long way to building a better future for many of Georgetown’s children.”

The club provides community, food, entertainment, recreation and education after school hours for youth in need. Nearly 60 percent of its members come from families that earn less than $30,000 per year, according to club’s impact statement.

The $6,383 in Amplify donations was matched by Sport Clips for a total of 12,766. The organization also received $15,600 in checks and $16,550 in pledges during the banquet.


The banquet maintained the theme “Be Great” with moving speeches and musical performances from club members.

"Fifty-seven percent of Boys and Girls Club members said it literally saved their lives. Literally,” said Norma Perales, who works with the organization, in a speech near the end of the event. “That blows my mind.”

Aelissa Vasquez, 18, was named the 2016 Senior Youth of the Year. She served as master of ceremonies and spoke about an alcoholic and abusive father.

“When I entered the Boys and Girls Club, it’s like all my fears and tears and scars were wiped away,” she said. "My life had ups and downs but I always had the Boys and Girls Club.”

https://twitter.com/impactnews_geo/status/837475431653785600

Vasquez performed "The Lonely" by Christina Perri, which carries tones of loss of self-identity. Alyssa Esquivel was named the 2016 Junior Youth of the Year. She sang Alessia Cara’s "Scars to Your Beautiful,” which challenges body image issues with a message of self-acceptance.

https://twitter.com/impactnews_geo/status/837482093768761344

Esquivel’s brother, Eric Esquivel, took a lighter tone—emphasizing sports and programs the club offers.

"Without the Boys and Girls Club, I don't know where I'd be. ... Probably the movies," he said.

https://twitter.com/impactnews_geo/status/837476868538392576