In the spring semester of the 2019 school year, 12 year-old Jaidain shyly walked into the music lab at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Athens. Around the room he noticed oddly shaped microphones, laptops with miniature midi controllers attached to them, sound buffers along the walls, and well-kept guitars on display. Two local sound engineers from a well-known studio nearby entered the room and introduced themselves as Drew and Annie. As each of his classmates introduced themselves, Jaidain sat quietly in the corner. Everyone talked about why they wanted to join the Music Makers program. Many, including Jaidain, had no access to musical equipment or laptops powerful enough to handle music production software. Nevertheless, many were curious about the science of sound and the mysteries of songwriting. He was both nervous and intrigued. When it was his turn to introduce himself, he said his name and quietly mentioned that he was in his middle school orchestra class. Unbenounced to him, this was the first day of his journey towards better self-esteem, confidence and creative discovery.

Many picture the Boys & Girls Club as an exciting recreational camp, where kids can play after school and during the summer. The mission of the club encompasses so much more. Clubs across the nation are devoted to helping children find confidence and empowerment for the rest of their lives. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Athens offers workforce development programs, STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts Mathematics) enrichment activities, field trips, sports exploration and more. Our Athens mission is to inspire and enable all young people - especially those that need us most - to realize their full potential as responsible, caring, and productive citizens. The local club has provided a clean, healthy, and safe environment to youth ages 6 to 18 for over 55 years. 

Members of the local community help give these opportunities to children like Jaidain every year by attending the Mercedes-Benz of Athens Summer Soiree. The Summer Soiree is a wine tasting and auction benefit that celebrates some of northeast Georgia’s finest food and beverage vendors. The evening is underwritten by both Mercedes-Benz of Athens and South State Bank, so all proceeds will benefit the two Boys & Girls Clubs of Athens locations. This year’s Soiree will take place at the Mercedes-Benz of Athens dealership on September 12th at 6PM. Guests will enjoy live music and delicious food and drink. Savvy bidders can compete for luxury international vacations in private homes, exclusive golf packages, custom-made jewelry and more. Most importantly, guests can enjoy the evening knowing that their participation is helping hundreds of children in our community.

When you attend the event, think of Jaidain. During the first few weeks of the program, not only did Jaidain demonstrate his interest in composing, he showed instructors that he could learn quickly, asking questions and discovering techniques that were not yet covered. He now naturally takes leadership roles both inside of the studio and out. Because of his demonstrated leadership ability, he is now a member of junior staff, assisting staff members with daily club operations. He has gone beyond many of his peers, and is now a source of inspiration and knowledge for his classmates. He is living proof that when a child has a supportive atmosphere and can explore their interests, they can soar to new heights.

It takes a village to care for our children. Support from the Summer Soiree keeps our doors open, our staff active, and our children engaged. To learn about securing a ticket and making a difference, visit GreatFuturesAthens.com or call (706) 546 – 5910.