Current Events

Friday, February 24, 2012
5th Annual Benefit Cocktail Reception Dinner with keynote speaker Bonnie St. John

Bonnie St. John will speak at the 5th Annual Benefit, to be held at The Ritz–Carlton, Amelia Island. Bonnie is a nationally-recognized author, inspirational speaker, executive coach, former athlete, mother and TV personality – of whom NBC Nightly News said: “Bonnie is one of the five most inspiring women in America.”  She grew up on a low-income, crime-ridden environment near Los Angeles and lost a leg at age five to a medical disorder. Yet Bonnie graduated with honors from Harvard University, earned her Masters Degree in Economics at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar and has served on the White House National Economic Council. In 1984, she competed in the Paralympics in Austria and was the first African-American to win medals in downhill ski racing: one silver and two bronze medals.

Here’s what Bonnie says about her Paralympics experience: “I was ahead in the slalom. But in the second run, everyone fell at a dangerous spot. I was beaten by a woman who got up faster than I did. I learned that people fall down, winners get up, and gold-medal winners get up faster.”

As a child, Bonnie found an important source of support in what was the Girls Club, back then. So she was eager to come to Amelia Island and give her support to Boys & Girls Clubs here. Bonnie’s life is an example  of the success that can derive from achieving the goals of Boys & Girls Clubs: to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.

Another quote from Bonnie St. John illustrates why her words at the Benefit will be so meaningful: “I have faced so many difficult life situations myself – healing from sexual abuse, and family dysfunction, having my leg amputated as a child, facing race and gender discrimination, learning to be a mom, home-schooling and more. I am passionate about using the research and information that is out there because I know it made a difference to me.”

Bonnie's experience of bouncing back from adversity has taught her that there is no "magic bullet" that solves all problems with the snap of a finger. No one diet works for all body types. No one type of emotional support or healing works for all personality types. Bonnie has discovered that the secret to her resilience and personal growth is building a patchwork quilt of solutions just for her: various exercise programs, support of friends, spending time in nature, seeking expert knowledge, reading books, and of course, always relying on prayer for guidance. What goes into your own patchwork quilt won't be the same as what worked for Bonnie. Sometimes it takes trial and error to find the path that is just right for you. But her goal is to always present a myriad of choices to help make the decisions easier and the ultimate path to joy clearer for a variety of people.








Call us at (904) 261-8666 to get information on purchasing tickets to hear Bonnie’s message at the Benefit. It is a “don’t miss” opportunity!
Download the invitation to the 5th Annual Benefit Cocktail Reception Dinner.
Download the RSVP information card

Click here for the Silent Auction Sneak Peak.

For information about these and upcoming events, call the Foundation Office (904) 261-8666 or email us at info@bgcnassau.org.