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Team TAG
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Mentoring urban youth
Jaime and JoAnne Hepp, along with some associates at The Ad Group, headed to
downtown Los Angeles on Christmas Eve to provide a McDonalds breakfast to several area
homeless. A small group was invited into McDonalds, but it didn't take long before word
spread up the street, and soon McDonalds was packed. So many smiles and happy faces!
downtown Los Angeles on Christmas Eve to provide a McDonalds breakfast to several area
homeless. A small group was invited into McDonalds, but it didn't take long before word
spread up the street, and soon McDonalds was packed. So many smiles and happy faces!
The group also visited several nursing homes and assisted living facilities to lend company, a
smile and a listening ear to those that did not have family or friends to spend the holiday
season with. The residents were delighted to be able to spread some of their own Christmas
cheer with our group.
smile and a listening ear to those that did not have family or friends to spend the holiday
season with. The residents were delighted to be able to spread some of their own Christmas
cheer with our group.
| Spreading Christmas cheer and love ~ Culver City and Downtown Los Angeles 2004 |
| Serving families at Christmas ~ Santa Monica, California 2005 |
With the help of the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Monica, The Ad Group presented
gifts of toys and gift cards to two families experiencing difficulties, financial or
otherwise. Each family had several children, one with an expectant mother. The
other family had just lost their father/husband; the mother was in tears as her
children's eyes lit up at the sight of a new basketball and the various video game
gifts. Everyone joined together in singing Christmas carols.
gifts of toys and gift cards to two families experiencing difficulties, financial or
otherwise. Each family had several children, one with an expectant mother. The
other family had just lost their father/husband; the mother was in tears as her
children's eyes lit up at the sight of a new basketball and the various video game
gifts. Everyone joined together in singing Christmas carols.
| Serving families at Christmas ~ Venice Beach, California 2006 |
The Boys & Girls Club of Venice assisted Team TAG in targeting
families in need this holiday season, with children from toddler
age to 15 years old. The Boys & Girls Club of Venice is
specifically working with one of the boys to obtain sponsorship
for him to attend a private school in the area in recognition of
his diligence in school, ambition and involvement in the Club.
Both families were a joy to share a part of the evening with,
and the children were excited to open their gifts and to play
around with all the people that were crowding into their
homes. We were a large crowd bringing gifts, joy and carols.
families in need this holiday season, with children from toddler
age to 15 years old. The Boys & Girls Club of Venice is
specifically working with one of the boys to obtain sponsorship
for him to attend a private school in the area in recognition of
his diligence in school, ambition and involvement in the Club.
Both families were a joy to share a part of the evening with,
and the children were excited to open their gifts and to play
around with all the people that were crowding into their
homes. We were a large crowd bringing gifts, joy and carols.
| Boys & Girls Club of Venice ~ Venice Beach, California January 2007 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Venice ~ Venice Beach, California February 2007 |
Team TAG had the "2007 Kick Off" at the Boys & Girls Club
of Venice on January 27, 2007. Twenty children
participated with us in team sports, dancing, mentoring
and simply hanging out. The children learned how to
communicate and work as a team under "tricky
conditions." Team TAG donated iPod shuffles to every
participant, and of course that was a hit.
of Venice on January 27, 2007. Twenty children
participated with us in team sports, dancing, mentoring
and simply hanging out. The children learned how to
communicate and work as a team under "tricky
conditions." Team TAG donated iPod shuffles to every
participant, and of course that was a hit.
Jaime Hepp was invited to judge the Youth of the Year for the Boys & Girls Club of
Venice. He (along with AC Green of the Los Angeles Lakers and various other
judges) was asked to participate in interviewing, screening and voting for the best
representation of the Club. The winner will compete with other Boys & Girls Club
members. The top eight will have dinner with the President of the United States.
Venice. He (along with AC Green of the Los Angeles Lakers and various other
judges) was asked to participate in interviewing, screening and voting for the best
representation of the Club. The winner will compete with other Boys & Girls Club
members. The top eight will have dinner with the President of the United States.
| Boys & Girls Club of Venice ~ Venice Beach, California February 2007 |
2007 Youth of the Year Reception & Ceremony with the Boys & Girls Club of Venice.
Friday, February 23 the winner of the 2007 BGCV Youth of Year Award was
announced in a ceremony at Nike Western Region Headquarters in Culver City.
Jacqueline Harris won this year's competition. She gave a great speech, and we
were treated to a beautiful solo by Jacqueline to close the ceremonies.
Friday, February 23 the winner of the 2007 BGCV Youth of Year Award was
announced in a ceremony at Nike Western Region Headquarters in Culver City.
Jacqueline Harris won this year's competition. She gave a great speech, and we
were treated to a beautiful solo by Jacqueline to close the ceremonies.
Team TAG, along with The Boys & Girls Club of Venice, went to the local fire
station for their "green" breakfast, green pancakes for St. Patrick's Day. The
pancake breakfast donations raised funds for the fire station, as well as for The
Boys & Girls Club of Venice and other local non-profit organizations.
Following the pancakes we headed to Mar Vista Lanes for some great bowling
competition! To top it off, we enjoyed a healthy pizza lunch together.
station for their "green" breakfast, green pancakes for St. Patrick's Day. The
pancake breakfast donations raised funds for the fire station, as well as for The
Boys & Girls Club of Venice and other local non-profit organizations.
Following the pancakes we headed to Mar Vista Lanes for some great bowling
competition! To top it off, we enjoyed a healthy pizza lunch together.
| St. Patrick's Day ~ March 17, 2007 with the Boys & Girls Club of Venice |
| Ice skating with the youth of the Boys & Girls Club of Venice, May 19, 2007 |
Team TAG and friends spent time at the Boys & Girls Club of Venice getting to
know the youth and spent time mentoring the boys and girls on an individual
basis as well as in small groups about their concerns regarding school, friends
and goals. Then the group headed to the ice rink in Culver City for a couple of
hours doing loops around the rink, some faster than others. We topped it off a
pizza before completing the afternoon.
know the youth and spent time mentoring the boys and girls on an individual
basis as well as in small groups about their concerns regarding school, friends
and goals. Then the group headed to the ice rink in Culver City for a couple of
hours doing loops around the rink, some faster than others. We topped it off a
pizza before completing the afternoon.
| Sailing and Kayaking in Marina Del Rey with the Boys & Girls Club of Venice July 21, 2007 |
Team TAG headed to the beach with the youth for
Hobie Cat sailing lessons and rides, as well as kayaking
adventures. Everyone had a blast paddling around
the bay, splashing each other in the water and
experiencing the art of sailing. Special thanks to the
Boys & Girls Club of Venice for allowing use of their
water vessel resources!
Hobie Cat sailing lessons and rides, as well as kayaking
adventures. Everyone had a blast paddling around
the bay, splashing each other in the water and
experiencing the art of sailing. Special thanks to the
Boys & Girls Club of Venice for allowing use of their
water vessel resources!
Due to popular request by the kids of the Boys & Girls Club of Venice, Team
TAG took on the incredible...a full day at Six Flags Magic Mountain with
thirty kids! Everyone enjoyed the excursion, daring each other to take on
the scariest of roller coasters; Batman, Tatsu, X, Viper, Goliath...even the
names are scary. The little ones got to romp around their very own Bugs
Bunny World. No day at the park could be complete without a finish at
the funnel cake shop, which was the natural meeting point at the end of
the day.
TAG took on the incredible...a full day at Six Flags Magic Mountain with
thirty kids! Everyone enjoyed the excursion, daring each other to take on
the scariest of roller coasters; Batman, Tatsu, X, Viper, Goliath...even the
names are scary. The little ones got to romp around their very own Bugs
Bunny World. No day at the park could be complete without a finish at
the funnel cake shop, which was the natural meeting point at the end of
the day.
| Six Flags Magic Mountain with the Boys & Girls Club of Venice October 6, 2007 |
Proud supporter of the
| Christmas 2007 |
Team TAG donated gifts such as iPods, remote control cars and other toys for Christmas that
were given to children involved in leadership, sports and education programs at the Boys &
Girls Club of Venice.
were given to children involved in leadership, sports and education programs at the Boys &
Girls Club of Venice.
Team TAG participated, for the second year in a row, in the San Diego Mud Run.
Over $144,000.00 was raised through the event for the local children's charity,
Sonshine Haven, and the military families charity, Homefront San Diego. The Mud Run
included a steep uphill and downhill course with water and mud obstacles
throughout the trail. The total distance Team TAG covered was 10k. This year's Mud
Run landed on a day with temperatures of over 105 degrees! Good job teamTAG
runners!
Over $144,000.00 was raised through the event for the local children's charity,
Sonshine Haven, and the military families charity, Homefront San Diego. The Mud Run
included a steep uphill and downhill course with water and mud obstacles
throughout the trail. The total distance Team TAG covered was 10k. This year's Mud
Run landed on a day with temperatures of over 105 degrees! Good job teamTAG
runners!
| San Diego Mud Run, April 13, 2008 |
A select group of Team TAG volunteers, and a select group of kids from the Boys & Girls
Club of Venice partnered up to operate the annual Club Super Sale on behalf of the Club
Thrift Store. Team TAG organized an "Apprentice-style" competition, with the Light Blue
Team against the Dark Blue Team in an effort to outsell each other. Sales pitches and
strategy were part of the mentoring game plan, with an adult/child ratio of one to one.
Competition was fierce, and both kids and adults alike hit the sale with excitement and
enthusiasm, grabbing shoppers at their first step into the sale. Over $3,000 was raised that
morning for the Club, thanks to donations from the community, the local shoppers and
the hard work of the kids at the Club. Best Buy gift certificates were given to the kids on
the winning team, while the second place team received gift certificates to Coldstone
Creamery.
Club of Venice partnered up to operate the annual Club Super Sale on behalf of the Club
Thrift Store. Team TAG organized an "Apprentice-style" competition, with the Light Blue
Team against the Dark Blue Team in an effort to outsell each other. Sales pitches and
strategy were part of the mentoring game plan, with an adult/child ratio of one to one.
Competition was fierce, and both kids and adults alike hit the sale with excitement and
enthusiasm, grabbing shoppers at their first step into the sale. Over $3,000 was raised that
morning for the Club, thanks to donations from the community, the local shoppers and
the hard work of the kids at the Club. Best Buy gift certificates were given to the kids on
the winning team, while the second place team received gift certificates to Coldstone
Creamery.
| Boys & Girls Club of Venice Thrift Shop Super Sale, June 14, 2008 |
| The Boys and Girls Club of Venice hosted a classic Thanksgiving dinner for the families of the children that attend the Club. Twenty volunteers from The Ad Group helped to serve the more than three hundred guests in attendance. The volunteers serving salad and green beans to the kids had their work cut out for them to try and sell the kids on eating their greens. As always, the mashed potatoes, turkey and pumpkin pie were the biggest hits. Overall, everyone had a blast at this massive family dinner. |
| November 20, 2007 - Serving a Thanksgiving dinner for the families of the Boys & Girls Club |
| November 24, 2008 - Serving Thanksgiving dinner for the families of the Boys & Girls Club of Venice with help from local sports super stars! |
The annual Boys & Girls Club of Venice's offering of a Thanksgiving dinner this year included some very special volunteer
guests. Several local professional athletes joined volunteers from Team TAG and Club Board Members in serving the dinner,
and the children were very excited to get to meet the professional athletes. Team TAG brought a crew of twenty volunteers to
help with the preparation, serving, gift bag hand-outs and clean-up. Several hundred families were served a delicious meal
provided by Lucille's Smokehouse Barbecue amid the flurry of media cameras and flashing lights. It was a successful and
well orchestrated event enjoyed by the families of the children that attend the Club.
guests. Several local professional athletes joined volunteers from Team TAG and Club Board Members in serving the dinner,
and the children were very excited to get to meet the professional athletes. Team TAG brought a crew of twenty volunteers to
help with the preparation, serving, gift bag hand-outs and clean-up. Several hundred families were served a delicious meal
provided by Lucille's Smokehouse Barbecue amid the flurry of media cameras and flashing lights. It was a successful and
well orchestrated event enjoyed by the families of the children that attend the Club.
The annual Boys & Girls Club of Venice Youth of the Year competition was held
at Nike Headquarters in Culver City, California. Three finalists were chosen, and
had an opportunity to give a speech to the audience about their life
experiences, as well as what the Club has done for them in their lives to
positively influence their individual trajectories and goals for their futures. The
winner was given a $1,000 scholarship towards the University of their choice,
and the second place winner was awarded a $500 scholarship of the same. The
winner goes on to compete with other local, State and National Club members
to receive additional scholarships, and a chance to have dinner with the
President of the United States. Jaime and JoAnne Hepp, as well as other Team
TAG members were in attendance to support and cheer on the contestants and
winner, Jose Guerrero.
at Nike Headquarters in Culver City, California. Three finalists were chosen, and
had an opportunity to give a speech to the audience about their life
experiences, as well as what the Club has done for them in their lives to
positively influence their individual trajectories and goals for their futures. The
winner was given a $1,000 scholarship towards the University of their choice,
and the second place winner was awarded a $500 scholarship of the same. The
winner goes on to compete with other local, State and National Club members
to receive additional scholarships, and a chance to have dinner with the
President of the United States. Jaime and JoAnne Hepp, as well as other Team
TAG members were in attendance to support and cheer on the contestants and
winner, Jose Guerrero.
| Youth of the Year Awards ~ Boys & Girls Club of Venice ~ February 2009 |