Philadelphia, PA — On Saturday April 17, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia hosted its second-annual Shining Stars Gala at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. The Shining Stars Gala is the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia’s signature fundraising event and a chance to celebrate the Club’s distinguished alumni, recognize the Club’s exemplary members, and name the 2010 Youth of the Year.

The Youth of the Year is the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia’s most prestigious honor. Each Youth of the Year nominee earns a college scholarship and must meet rigorous eligibility requirements for academic achievement, community involvement and leadership of younger Club members. This year’s winner is Martisha Hardy. She will now advance to the state competition and hopefully continue on to compete for the title of National Youth of the Year at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s national convention in May. Keep your fingers crossed.

The nominees and their stories were very much the centerpiece, and this year we made sure those stories really stood out. We donated our time to create many of the promotional materials and worked with NFL Films to develop and produce interview vignettes that speak to the opportunities available at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia and how the clubs have had a positive impact on the lives of each nominee.

Bob Aretz, Principal and Creative Director of Paragraph shared, “I have been an avid supporter of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia for years now and had the privilege of meeting these teens and hearing their stories. Their honesty and openness speaks volumes to their potential. The idea behind the interviews was to allow them to tell their stories while helping them find their voice and build their confidence.”

Rick Angeli, of NFL Films spoke of his experience, “When Bob sent me the applications, I knew we had to bring these stories to life. They were so touching and so full of hope, determination and inspiration. These kids deserve special attention and encouragement to continue their greatness. Inviting them to our studios to share their stories is the best way we could ensure they get the recognition and experience they deserve.”

The videos created by Paragraph and NFL Films were used to introduce the Youth of the Year nominees at the Gala event and they are now available online as well.

Al Mollica, Chief Development Officer for Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia spoke of the collaboration, “First, I must thank Paragraph and NFL Films. Paragraph graciously donated its services and NFL Films offered theirs at a reduced cost. We would have never been able to accomplish this without their generosity and talents. In terms of the videos, we’ve been wanting to highlight and celebrate our special kids for quite some time. I can’t think of a better way for us to promote our ‘best and brightest’ and to give our winners this very special experience in the process. Working with Paragraph and NFL Films truly sets a standard. I really hope we can continue this partnership moving forward.”

About Paragraph, Inc.
Founded in 1991, Paragraph, Inc. is a Philadelphia-based brand agency. Throughout its history, it has worked with leading consumer and nonprofit brands including Devereux, JEVS Human Services, ARAMARK, Kremer Eye Center, Yards Brewing Company, and many others to help each organization define its difference, communicate its value, and build its brand. www.paragraphinc.com.

About NFL Films
Since 1964, NFL Films has revolutionized the production industry, providing America with a groundbreaking view into sports filmmaking. The exclusive all-access sound, action-packed cinematography, rousing orchestral music and poignant storytelling are the trademarks of NFL Films. Winner of 97 Emmys and numerous other prestigious awards, the production company is internationally recognized. While NFL Films is best known for their sports cinematography, the studio also offers a roster of Directors, Cinematographers, and Post Production teams for projects including national commercials and corporate films. For more information about NFL Films, call Rick Angeli at 856.222.5675 or visit www.nflfilms.com.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia
The mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia is to enable all young people, especially those most in need, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia operate 12 Clubs in the region serving children from six weeks through 19 years of age. For more information about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia, please contact Marissa Keough, Development & Marketing Manager for Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia at (215) 735-8818, ext. 26 or visit www.bgcphila.org.