Youth Development Nonprofit Exceeds Goal & Unveils Newly Renovated, Renamed Club in Chamblee, GA
CHAMBLEE, GA — Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) proudly announced the successful completion of its $27.5 million Rising Together Comprehensive Campaign during a vibrant celebration held March 27 at its newly renovated site in Chamblee, GA. The event served as a heartfelt expression of gratitude to the organization’s steadfast supporters and marked a significant milestone in its mission to ignite the unlimited potential of youth across the region.
“We dreamed big, and we dared to believe that there’s no limit to the heights we can reach together,” BGCMA President & CEO David Jernigan told a room full of supporters. “I stand before you humbled and elated to announce that not only did we reach our $27.5M goal but we surpassed that ambitious goal. Thanks to your unwavering dedication and generosity, in less than 2 years, we have raised an astounding 28 million dollars! That’s a true testament to the power of community and collective action.”
Funds raised from the Rising Together Comprehensive Campaign will be used to support (1) Club enhancements, (2) building capacity and deepening innovation, (3) transforming the Chamblee Club, (4) greater access to reliable transportation to Clubs, (5) post-pandemic academic acceleration, (6) deepening social-emotional wellness programs, (7) maximizing technology resources, (8) and the launch of The Tassopoulos Centers for Innovation & Excellence – a new staff onboarding experience named in the honor of beloved BGCMA Trustee Tim Tassopoulos and his family.
“Having been a board member since 2015, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the incredible impact Boys & Girls Clubs have on the lives of our youth, but my connection to the Clubs runs even deeper,” said BGCMA Board Chair Larry Patrick, a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers. “I’m a proud product of Boys & Girls Clubs. When I think about the little boy growing up in West Palm Beach, Florida, and the impact my Club had on the man I am today, I am here to tell you that you’re looking at the return on your investment.”
The campaign celebration also featured brief remarks from Campaign Committee Co-Chair Stephanie Blank on behalf of the committee, which included Co-Chair Sam Johnson and former Board Chairs Charlie Henn and Simon Bloom. Additional remarks came from dedicated staff, Club members, and community supporters whose invaluable contributions were instrumental in the triumph of the campaign. One such supporter is BGCMA Board Member Billy Small, who unveiled the new name of the Club site in Chamblee, GA: the William M. and Betty E. Small Boys & Girls Club – in honor of his parents who dedicated decades of service as board members.
Pictured L-R: David, Will, and Billy Small.
“For my family, the renaming of this Club holds profound significance,” Small said. “It validates the tireless efforts of my parents and honors their legacy in a truly meaningful way. But beyond personal sentiment, we are thrilled about the possibilities this Club holds for future generations. Our family has always been forward-looking, committed not only to supporting children in the present but also to building bridges to a brighter future.”
The celebration culminated with a special ribbon cutting, followed by Club-member-led tours of the newly renovated site in Chamblee.
“The renovations we’ve undergone aren’t just cosmetic—they’re transformative,” said LaSonya Hendrix, executive director of the William M. and Betty E. Small Boys & Girls Club. “They represent a commitment to our kids, a belief that they deserve nothing but the best.
“Our kids now have a space they can truly call their own—a space where they feel safe, valued, and empowered. From the vibrant new teen loft to the state-of-the-art gymnasium, every corner of our Club has been designed with our kids in mind. And the difference it has made in their lives is tangible.”
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BGCMA’s Rising Together Comprehensive Campaign was made possible by the generosity of the following donors, representing contributions of $25K or more (It is important to note that this is not an exhaustive list, and BGCMA extends its gratitude to all supporters): Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation | Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation | A Friend of BGCMA | Shaquille O’Neal Foundation | Zeist Foundation, Inc. | Chick-fil-A, Inc. | Sara Giles Moore Foundation | William M. Small, Jr. | City of McDonough | Mark and Buffie Feidler | Fraser-Parker Foundation | Papa John’s Foundation | Peach Bowl | Carol & Ramon Tome’ Family Fund | The Marcus Foundation, Inc. | Henry County Government | Georgia Power Foundation, Inc. | Coca-Cola Foundation | Cousins Family Foundation | Tull Charitable Foundation, Inc. | Stephanie Blank | Tim and Maria Tassopoulos | Anonymous | James M. Cox Foundation | Truist Trusteed Foundations: Thomas Guy Woolford Charitable Trust | Simon and Eleanor Bloom | Rockdale Foundation | Sam and Stefanie Johnson | Aron Levine | Star Kids Foundation | Susan and Preston Ward | Georgia-Pacific Foundation | John H. & Wilhelmina D. Harland Charitable Foundation | Sartain Lanier Family Foundation | Bill and Ashley Rogers | Boys & Girls Clubs of America | Helen and Jimmy Carlos | The J.B. Fuqua Foundation | Anonymous | Dr. Condoleezza Rice | Steve and Cathy Cook | LeighAnn and Chad Costley | Carl and Elise Drake | Fran Gary | Charlie and Anne Henn | Mark and Rachel Huffstetler | Steve and Celia Vorhees | David, Helen & Marian Woodward Fund | Gensler | Annie E. Casey Foundation | Tom and Pat McNeill | John and Monica Coughlin | Thomas E. Reilly | The Gay and Erskine Love Foundation | Jeff and Tracie Nolde | Jerel and Leslie Causey | Kevin and Kris Custis | Richard and Suzanne Deriso | Thad and Beth Ellis | Gairy and Melanie Moore | Larry and Kanika Patrick | Sarah and Neil Saunders | Ed and Claud Fortson Charitable Trust | and Kathy Waller. Special thanks also to Coxe Curry for campaign support.