BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF CARLSBAD CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN

Cisco Systems, Inc. and Furnishings 4 Less

Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad recognized Cisco Systems, Inc. and Furnishings 4 Less as Champions for Children at its 6th Annual Super Star Recognition Dinner on January 26, 2006, which honored the Boys & Girls Clubs’ generous community and business leaders, dedicated volunteers, an active board of directors, and outstanding youth.

The Champions for Children Award is bestowed upon businesses who have contributed much needed financial support and/or devoted a significant amount of volunteer time to Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad.

Cisco Systems, Inc. recently gave the Club a much-needed technology grant worth more than $40,000.  Primarily, the equipment will allow Club members to access the internet safely and efficiently, while participating in the many educational and career development programs offered in the computer labs.  The grant has also given the Club the ability to connect their two branches, saving countless hours of ineffective communication and travel time.  The Club thanks board member and Cisco employee Frank Cowell for making the grant possible.

Furnishings 4 Less’ owners Aubrey Kuepper and Luke Erwin are former Club members, and they have never forgotten how much the Club meant to them when they were youngsters.  Together they routinely donate overstocks and floor samples to the Club, which turns around and gives the items to needy families or sells it for a fraction of the wholesale price to raise funds for the Club.  In addition, Furnishings 4 Less donated over $19,000 worth of items which were auctioned off at the 2005 Dinner Auction.  Aubrey, who accepted the award at the dinner, surprised everyone by announcing that Furnishings 4 Less will donate a computer hutch for our 2005 Youth of the Year, Toni Brown.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad thanks both Cisco Systems, Inc. and Furnishings 4 Less for the incredible support they have given over the past year.

Pictured (L to R):  Patrick Casinelli, Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad Board President; Aubrey Kuepper, Owner, Furnishings 4 Less; Frank Cowell, Cisco Systems, Inc.; Ron Sipiora, Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad Chief Professional Officer