(May 24, 2021/Washington, DC) – June 10, 2021 will mark Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington’s fourth annual BlueFest. This year, the youth development non-profit puts a twist on its annual springtime fundraiser. Instead of the patron coming to an in-person dinner, the dinners will come to the donors and supporters of the worthy cause.

Typically, an in-person Clubhouse tour and showcase of Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia area Club kids, this year’s BlueFest event will take place virtually—topped with the delivery of a three course catered meal and a participant’s SWAG bag full of Boys & Girls Clubs-branded goodies and items tied to event themes.

“2020 and 2021 have been challenging for so many, so when Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington reached out to us about providing meal opportunities for a remote and virtual BlueFest, we were honored,” says RSVP Catering’s Megan Malczewsky, Director of Client Relations & Market Development. “We are thrilled to be able to partner with such an important organization and important cause; and give back to our community in the way we know best–with delicious and unique meals!”

Members of the community, small business sectors and large corporations all come together to support the BlueFest event because Boys & Girls Clubs connect so many people in so many ways. Carla Grant-Pickens grew up as a local Washington, DC area Club Kid herself at BGCGW’s flagship Richard England Clubhouse #14 in Ward 7, and is now Vice President, Human Resources and Global Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer for IBM Corporation.

“I am a product of someone volunteering, mentoring or donating to Boys & Girls Clubs,” Carla says. “It is one of the things that changed my life living in the inner city in Washington, DC during my youth. It is my passion to give back what someone else gave to me. It is important to have people in your life that are invested to help you grow through learning.”

BlueFest 2021 will feature kids six to eighteen reciting spoken word, giving musical performances and a Youth of the Year panel of teens answering questions around their experiences as a Club kid, and how BGCGW was a place where they could freely create and ultimately achieve their dreams. Some major sponsors include AT&T, CareFirst, CTA, E*TRADE, GEICO, IBM, Maureen Orth, Luke Russert and the Marina Orth Foundation, Pepco and Washington Gas.

“IBM supports the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington in many ways, but most importantly, they hope to close the digital divide in underserved communities,” Grant-Pickens continues. “Our goal is to provide opportunities to build skills, education and opportunity toward STEM careers in Tech.”

During the height of the pandemic, the more than 135 year old organization provided child care for frontline COVID workers, distributed more than 30,000 meals and provided learning labs with internet access for area kids and families that needed school and homework support. In a typical year, the youth development non-profit serves more than 21,000 young people in the Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia regions. Funds from BlueFest will help pay for kids to attend summer camp and to support programming that will counteract learning loss due to this year’s COVID-related school closings. Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington expects over 400 attendees this year and seeks to net $685,000 dollars.

To find out more about BlueFest, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington or to donate visit BGCGW.org

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Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (BGCGW) – is a 135 year old non-profit and one of the largest affiliates of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. BGCGW is a leader in youth development, serving over 21,000 Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia youth annually. Early BGCGW evolved through sponsorships from the Rotary Club of Washington. In 2003, BGCGW merged with the Metropolitan Police Boys & Girls Clubs and now serves 15 brick and mortar Clubs and one digital Club. BGCGW’s affordable afterschool and summer youth programs fill vital gaps in academic and arts enrichment, character development and healthy living. BGCGW helps boys and girls of all backgrounds and creates a positive environment where children are encouraged to develop their ambitions and develop the steps for turning them into reality. With 99% of high school senior Club Kids graduating and 100% of seniors pursuing four-year college or community college degrees, BGCGW is frequently the catalyst between other community organizations, schools, parents and local government. BGCGW is committed to continuous improvement of the “Optimum Club Experience;” consistently analyzing areas of growth and improvement to ensure high-yielding impact in the lives of our country’s youth. For more information, please call 202.643.9792 or visit our website at BGCGW.org.

Media Contact:
Robert Anderson
202.643.9792
Communications@bgcgw.org