Community Spotlight: Bainbridge’s Boys & Girls Club
The Boys and Girls Club of Bainbridge Island has persevered through the pandemic and has enriched the minds of countless youth. Since 2001, our Windermere Bainbridge Island office has proudly supported the Club by donating $250 per month, or $60,000 to date. Read on to learn more about the important work that this wonderful nonprofit does right here in our community.
Boys & Girls Club During the Pandemic
Our local Boys & Girls Club provides academic, engaging, and supportive out-of-school care for Bainbridge Island youth from kindergarten through 8th grade. This organization has also been an integral part of our community’s response to COVID-19. They, along with other local organizations, provided discounted rates and extended out-of-school programming.
Not even the pandemic could stop children from safely having fun and learning at the Boys & Girls Club of Bainbridge Island. The Club implemented remote learning programs to support children during stressful times. And, peer connection, adult mentorship, and engaging activities are still part of the curriculum. As part of their new virtual initiatives, they started offering Free Youth Force Job Readiness workshops.
This past year and a half, our Boys & Girls Club transformed from an after-school care center to a full-time, safe, and reliable place for kids to learn. Additionally, they’ve provided free childcare for frontline workers’ children. They continue to innovate by working with the Bainbridge Island School District and adapting their programs to meet the changing environment.
School Year Programs
Bainbridge’s Boys & Girls Club provides fun programs throughout the school year. There’s a program for K – 4th grade and a separate middle school program for 5th – 8th grade. Club members enjoy healthy snacks and choose from three to four program options. Kids can choose anything from cooking to sports, Minecraft to drone club. There is also a PowerHour to complete homework. 5th – 8th graders participate in PowerHour every day as well as a variety of program offerings from filmmaking to learning how to play the ukulele.
Get Involved
If you have a child or children who would like to get involved with our local Boys & Girls Club, the cost varies based on the program. You can find out more on their school year programs page. They also offer full-day camps during school breaks (winter, mid-winter, and summer). To see what the Club has been up to lately, check out their Facebook page.
Whether you have young children or not, it’s easy to see the long-lasting benefits of a nonprofit organization like this. The Club’s programs give students opportunities to try new things, gain confidence, make new friends, and learn in a safe, supportive environment. Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive. The Boys and Girls Club’s mission is to continue to uplift youth and help them reach their goals. If you would like to contribute to our local Club, you can easily donate online.
Our Windermere Foundation Scholarship Recipients
We have recently awarded our Windermere Foundation Scholarship to two incredible graduates from Bainbridge High School’s Class of 2020. There were many talented applicants and it was difficult to choose only two recipients. However, the two students we selected are remarkable individuals. Congratulations to Shea Dephinedae and Libby Clements Hall! Read on to find out more about our scholarship and these well-deserving recipients.
The Scholarship & Our History
Every year, Windermere Bainbridge offers two to three scholarships to invest in Bainbridge Island’s youth. We award the Windermere Foundation scholarships to students based on a variety of their community service involvement and scholastic achievements.
Community service is our primary focus since we pride ourselves on our own community involvement. You will often find our agents and staff volunteering and supporting local organizations. Giving back is a big part of who we are. For the past 15 years, a portion of every agent’s commission has been donated to the Windermere Foundation of Bainbridge Island. All agents participate, and with this common purpose, we collectively show how much our community means to us.
We’re also proud to be part of the broader Windermere Foundation. It impacts communities across 10 states and has raised over $41 million for programs that provide shelter, food, children’s programs, and more.
Scholarship Winner Shea Dephinedae
Shea was an active member of cheer throughout high school and participated in basketball, arts, and community service activities. Also, Shea enjoys cartooning, sculpting, and writing poetry.
When describing community service experiences, Shea said one particular moment that stood out was when they helped senior citizens with technology. “[We] visited a nursing home and helped them to use their phones and tablets. It was always so pleasant to see such kind-hearted people be able to use their phones more effectively and communicate with their families easier.”
A highly active student, Shea was also a member of the National Honors Society for all four years. Additionally, Shea worked for Bainbridge Gardens and still managed to maintain a high GPA.
Now that Shea has graduated, he plans to attend the University of Washington and major in Sculpting. After receiving the Windermere Foundation scholarship, Shea said, “I would just like to say thank you. Windermere’s incredibly generous scholarship was such an amazing and exciting surprise during a rough time. I know this money will greatly benefit me and I hope to one day give back to my community just as you all have.”
Scholarship Winner Elizabeth “Libby” Clements Hall
Throughout high school, Libby was an active member of band and theater, participating in Les Miserables, Radium Girls, Glee voice, and dance. A performing arts enthusiast, Libby has been doing theater since she was three.
Regarding community service, Libby was an assistant in ILC, a special education classroom at Bainbridge High School. Libby said that experience was the highlight of senior year.
A very active student, Libby also volunteered as a BPA main stage volunteer, Island Theater volunteer, NAACP member, and a Bainbridge Pride Volunteer. Libby also maintained a high GPA and received awards and recognition: the Silver Presidential Service Award and honors in theater. Additionally, Libby lettered in band, theater, and winter guard and was an officer of the International Thespian Society.
Libby plans to attend Seattle University, majoring in History, English, and Interdisciplinary Arts with a focus on Music and Theater. “I plan to get a master’s degree in education and become a special education teacher.” Libby was excited to receive our scholarship and said, “Thank you for this awesome opportunity!”
Here at Windermere, we strive to make a difference, big and small and it’s an honor to support Shea and Libby through the Windermere Foundation scholarship. Please join us in wishing them the very best! We know they will make our community very proud.
Windermere Bainbridge Foundation | 2019 Donations
The Windermere Foundation of Bainbridge Island donated a total of $52,475 to the community of Bainbridge Island in 2019. The list below is of each of the vital community service organizations of Bainbridge Island to receive funding, due to their consistent and strong contributions to our island.
Bainbridge High School | Windermere Scholarship Fund
Bainbridge Island School Foundation | 2019 Dinner and Auction Gala
Bainbridge Youth Services | Annual Sponsorship
Helpline House | Project Backpack
Bainbridge Youth Services | Additional Funding
Bainbridge Island Senior Center
Boys and Girls Club | Annual Sponsorship
KiDiMu | Annual Sponsorship
Bainbridge Island Kiwanis Foundation | Shred Fest Sponsorship
Bainbridge Island Land Trust | Preservation Partners Party
Bainbridge High School Baseball Boosters | Annual Stars and Strikes Alumni Game
PAWS | Gala and Auction
Windermere Bainbridge Foundation | 2018 Donations
The Windermere Foundation of Bainbridge Island donated a total of $56,550 to the community of Bainbridge Island in 2018. The list below is of each of the vital community service organizations of Bainbridge Island to receive funding, due to their consistent and strong contributions to our island.
Bainbridge High School | Windermere Scholarship Program
Helpline House | Project Backpack
Bainbridge Island Senior Center
Bainbridge Island Boys & Girls Club | Annual Sponsorship
Cynthia Lait Art | Bainbridge Island Community Mural
Bainbridge High School Baseball Boosters | Annual Stars and Strikes Alumni Game
Windermere Bainbridge Foundation | 2016 Donations
The Windermere Foundation of Bainbridge Island donated a total of $35,200 to the community of Bainbridge Island in 2016. The list below is of each of the vital community service organizations of Bainbridge Island to receive funding, due to their consistent and strong contributions to our island.
Bainbridge High School | Windermere Scholarship Fund
Bainbridge Youth Services | Annual Sponsorship
Helpline House | Project Backpack
Bainbridge Island Boys & Girls Club | Annual Sponsorship
Housing Resources Bainbridge | Rental Assistance Program
Bainbridge Island Public Library | Spelling Bee Sponsorship
Bainbridge High School Robotics Team
Bainbridge High School Baseball Boosters | Annual Stars and Strikes Alumni Game
Windermere Bainbridge Foundation | 2015 Donations
The Windermere Foundation of Bainbridge Island donated a total of $31,300 to the community of Bainbridge Island in 2015. The list below is of each of the vital community service organizations of Bainbridge Island to receive funding, due to their consistent and strong contributions to our island.
Bainbridge High School | Windermere Scholarship Program
Helpline House | Project Backpack
Crush Kids Cancer | Seattle Children’s Hospital
Bainbridge Island Boys & Girls Club | Annual Sponsorship
Bainbridge Youth Services | Fun Run Sponsorship
Bainbridge Island Public Library | Spelling Bee Sponsorship
Bainbridge High School Robotics Team
Bainbridge High School Baseball Boosters | Annual Stars and Strikes Alumni Game
Windermere Bainbridge Foundation | 2014 Donations
The Windermere Foundation of Bainbridge Island donated a total of $28,6500 to the community of Bainbridge Island in 2014. The list below is of each of the vital community service organizations of Bainbridge Island to receive funding, due to their consistent and strong contributions to our island.
Helpline House | Project Backpack
Ben Towne Foundation | Seattle Children’s Hospital
Bainbridge High School | Windermere Scholarship Program
Bainbridge Island Boys & Girls Club | Annual Sponsorship
Bainbridge Youth Services | Fun Run Sponsorship
Bainbridge Island Public Library | Spelling Bee Sponsorship
Windermere Bainbridge Foundation | 2013 Donations
The Windermere Foundation of Bainbridge Island donated a total of $25,105 to the community of Bainbridge Island in 2013. The list below is of each of the vital community service organizations of Bainbridge Island to receive funding, due to their consistent and strong contributions to our island.
Helpline House | School Clothes Project
Bainbridge High School | Windermere Scholarship Fund
Boys and Girls Club Bainbridge Island
Bainbridge Youth Services | Fun Run
Bainbridge High School Robotics Team | Spartronics Team 4915
Bainbridge Island Historical Museum
Windermere Bainbridge Foundation | 2011 Donations
The Windermere Foundation of Bainbridge Island donated a total of $15,075 to the community of Bainbridge Island in 2011. The list below is of each of the vital community service organizations of Bainbridge Island to receive funding, due to their consistent and strong contributions to our island.
Bainbridge High School | Windermere Scholarship Fund
Frontier Bank | Middle School Tutoring Program
Helpline House | Project Backpack
Boys and Girls Club Bainbridge Island
Bainbridge Youth Services | Fun Run