Distinctly Montana Magazine
Issue link: https://digital.distinctlymontana.com/i/94998
L ANOTHER OUSTANDING MONTANA NONPROFIT. OF CARBON COUNTY BY VIRGINIA BRYAN THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB MISSION STATEMENT To inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible individuals. BACKGROUND Tiny Red Lodge (pop. 2,100), the county seat of Carbon County, is nestled against the Beartooth Mountains where Rock Creek spills out of the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness. It's a summer tourist gateway into Yellowstone National Park via the scenic Beartooth highway. Winter skiers like Red Lodge for family friendly downhill slopes, cross-country trails and legendary spring snowfall. Off-season, Carbon County (pop. 10,000) reverts to its bucolic self, with as many cows and horses as people. It's not all fun and beautiful scenery though. Club data reveals that one in three children served lives with a single parent or in a family with annual income under $25,000. One in five has a physical or mental handicap. According to Montana health department statistics, 60% of Carbon County's high school sophomores have friends using drugs and 20% have attended school drunk or high. Over 75% of Carbon County high school seniors drink alcohol. In 1995, residents of Carbon County sought to start a Boys & Girls Club in Red Lodge. With grit and perseverance, they succeeded. Community support, not population, is the key to success for the Boys & Girls Club of Carbon County (BGCCC) A big part of BGCCC's annual operating budget comes from the Rocky Mountain Chefs Invitational, a gala affair showcas- ing an internationally recognized chef hosted by Red Lodge's Bridge Creek Backcountry Kitchen and Wine Bar. Chef Lou Lambert and Chef Eric Trager In 2011, BGCCC expanded and renovated its ungainly, crowded building into a stylish, energy efficient, colorful structure with LEED Platinum Energy Certifi- cation aspirations. The new digs sport a commercial kitchen, handicap access, computer rooms, a gymnasium, climbing wall, abundant natural light, and a teen center boasting a small stage and a coffee bar. BGCCC doors swung open nearly 11,000 times last year to welcome eager youngsters. ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHEFS INVITATIONAL 2013 Fine food aficionados will gather on SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2013 AT 6:30 P.M. FOR THE 2013 ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHEFS INVITATIONAL to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Carbon County. An exquisite five course meal with wine pairings will be prepared by a special guest chef. Former celebrity chefs include Lou Lambert of Austin, Texas chef and author of the best- selling cookbook, Big Ranch, Big City, David Varley of Bourbon Steak at the Washington D.C. Four Seasons Hotel, Vincent Francoual of Vincent in Minneapolis, and from San Francisco, Gregory Short of Masa's. A silent and live auction of eclectic travel and treasures follows the dinner. Tickets are $150 each. Seating is limited to 100. Tables of 10 are avail- able. For tickets, call Bridge Creek at (406) 446-9900 or the Boys & Girls Club at (406) 446-CLUB. Call early, as the event sells out quickly. www.distinctlymontana.com SERVICES The Boys & Girls Club of Carbon County INSPIRES youngsters with out-of-school activities like basket- ball, hiking, volleyball and art. It ENRICHES academ- ic achievement with tutoring, homework help, and cultural outreach. It NOURISHES young bodies with cooking classes and healthy snacks. It INVOLVES children of all economic levels with scholarships for club dues, camp fees, and field trips. It STRENGTH- ENS character with programs proven to reduce drug and alcohol use and academic failure. CONTACT INFORMATION: 24 W. 9th Street, POB 11, Red Lodge, MT, 59068. TELEPHONE: (406) 446.2582. WEB SITE: www.bgcofcarbon- county.org. EMAIL: redlodgebgc@gmail.com. 83 . . F F O O R e T vo E H .