(AKWESASNE) November 30, 2017 – The spirit of giving continues to be strong in the community of Akwesasne. From weekly fundraisers to corporate donations, there are plenty of examples of the generosity and support that community members have for one another. The Tarbell Management Group (TMG) is one example of a business that is helping lead the way through corporate donations that support community causes and organizations.
On November 30th, the Akwesasne Boys & Girls Club (ABGC) held its Annual Donor Dinner to show its appreciation to individuals, businesses, organizations and other entities for their financial support during the past year. Several Akwesasne businesses were recognized, including TMG. However, representatives of the family-owned business continued to show their support for the Club with the announcement of an additional $65,000 donation to support programming and services for local youth. It was the latest example of their unwavering commitment to ABGC.
“We continue to be very grateful for all the support that the Akwesasne Boys & Girls Club continues to receive from community groups and individuals,” stated ABGC Executive Director Jessica Cree-Jock during the evening event. “If it wasn’t for the financial support from local businesses, organizations and individuals; the Club wouldn’t be able to offer many of the things that we provide to Akwesasne youth. The Club’s success, and ultimately our children’s success, is greatly dependent upon the continued support of our donors. We are extremely grateful to the Tarbell Management Group for being one of our biggest supporters over the years and for their generous donation of $65,000 that comes at a time when funding cuts are of greatest concern.”
Joined by ABGC Board President Julia Back-Skidders and Vice-President Brendan White, Cree-Jock recognized financial contributors with hand-crafted awards made by Traditional Lacrosse. Depending on the individual donation, recipients received either a Gold, Silver or Bronze level award in recognition of their contribution. Appreciation awards were also provided to volunteer coaches and organizers of ABGC’s Akwesasne Attack Lacrosse Program, as well as hand-written plaques made by the Club’s 3rd graders for each board member.
Along with the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, Tarbell Management Group was named a recipient of this year’s Gold Level Donor Appreciation Award. During the past four years, TMG has assisted the ABGC’s fundraising efforts by hosting and donating all proceeds from the Annual Heart to Heart 10K Run/Walk back to the Club. This year’s event was held on May 20th and saw 68 walkers and 67 runners participate which raised a total of $5,000.
“The loyal community of Akwesasne has patronized Bear’s Den for many years and in 2018, Bear’s Den will be celebrating its 65th anniversary,” said CEO Brandon Tarbell. “To commemorate this historic milestone for us, and as a way to honor our parents, Eli and Gretchen Tarbell, my brother, sisters and I, along with our spouses are proud to support the mission of the Akwesasne Boys & Girls Club with a $65,000 donation, which will be separate from any other event we host or donate to on their behalf. Our parents have instilled in us the Christian principles of having hearts of compassion and charity and have showed us what it means to go above and beyond to help your community and we see that same passion in the staff, volunteers and wonderful people at the Akwesasne Boys & Girls Club.”
As owners of the premier fitness facility Heart to Heart, TMG also provided free gym memberships for Club staff to help them in the mentorship roles. Supporting their individual efforts to be active and physically fit helps them in their instruction to youth on the importance of living a positive and healthy lifestyle, which is equally important to TMG. Heart to Heart also donated proceeds to ABGC from its monthly “FITTRIBE” challenge by having over 1,000 Facebook check-ins at Heart to Heart during the month of February 2017.
Other examples of TMG’s long-standing support for the Akwesasne Boys & Girls Club includes the provision of 30 pizzas each month from Papa John’s Pizza for the Club’s Power Hour-where youth can enjoy a meal as they complete homework. Another is the contributions they make at the assorted fundraisers that ABGC holds throughout the year, including the Club’s Annual Gala and the Annual “Be Great” Golf Tournament.
On behalf of the members, staff and volunteers, the Akwesasne Boys & Girls Club’s Board of Directors express their sincere appreciation and say “Niawen:kówa” for the continued generosity of the Tarbell Management Group to the youth of Akwesasne.
