Sometimes, life can turn in an instant. Just ask Brittny Tripicchio, who thought she had done just about everything after putting her master’s degree on hold and leaving the sorority back on campus.

About four years ago, she took responsibility for her sister Jenna, then only 4 years old, and packed up and moved from Texas to the Ozarks after their grandmother agreed to help.

Unfortunately, the plan hit a roadblock after their grandmother fell ill, leading to the real possibility that the state foster system take custody of Jenna.

Fortunately, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield provided a significant assist, thanks in part to your donations to the Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper. The PCCC is an annual PGA Web.com Tour event that aids numerous children’s charities, with a record $1 million-plus distributed last year alone.

“I was going to have to quit my job,” Brittny said. “I didn’t want to pay for child care in the summer, but I was able to keep my job. The Boys & Girls Club was there. It was a real blessing.”

This summer, assistance from the business community and the general public to the Price Cutter Charity Championship could be meaningful again for Brittny, Jenna and the families which walk in similar shoes. Here’s how:

SUPPORTING THE PCCC = SUPPORTING CHARITIES

• BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF SPRINGFIELD: The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield is to provide programs that guide and direct youth from all backgrounds with special concern for those from at-risk circumstances. Their number is 417-862-9249.
• FOR BUSINESSES: Restaurants, clothing stores and entertainment stops are asked to donate a gift card with at least a $25 value in the name of your charity of choice to benefit the charity in the Golf Ball Charity Auction.
• BUSINESS SPONSORSHIPS: Businesses also can support the PCCC through various sponsorships, such as the daily newsletter, website or through several events such as a dozen Pro-Ams.
• FOR GOLF FANS, WIN PRIZES: The purchase of a $25 ticket means a four-day pass to the PCCC on Aug. 13-16 at Highland Springs Country Club as well as daily chances to win gift cards from the local businesses. You’re also automatically entered to win a $10,000 prize and a 2015 Ford Mustang.
• FOR TICKETS: Contact the local charity of your choice, simply because they receive revenue directly from those TLC Property Charity Sweepstakes tickets marked with their names.
• WHEN & WHERE: The PGA Web.com Tour is Aug. 13-16 at Highland Springs Country Club, with events beginning in late July.
• CONTACTS: Call the Price Cutter Charity Championship staff at 417-887-3400.

About the Boys & Girls Club of Springfield

Brittny is now 24 and, while she earned a bachelor’s degree, she still would like to finish her master’s.

“I was in a sorority and living the typical college life. Overnight, everything changed. I didn’t know how to pay a bill. I didn’t know how to schedule a doctor’s appointment,” Brittny said.

Fortunately, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield reached out its generous arms.

“Whatever the situation is, the Boys & Girls Clubs is there to help,” Brittny said. “At Christmas, they bought Christmas presents for Jenna. It’s nice to have some stability with everything she’s been through.”

The mission of the Boys & Girls Club of Springfield is to provide programs that guide and direct youth from all backgrounds with special concern for those from at-risk circumstances.

Through social, physical and educational development activities, the Boys & Girls Club of Springfield teaches youth the values of life, strengthens their self-esteem and makes them better citizens of our community.

The organization’s Executive Director, Pat Gartland, says it best: “People new to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield are pleasantly surprised by the variety of opportunities and quality of programs offered at such a value – we are impacting young lives to promote great futures every day!”

Offering individual and group activities, programs are based on principals of behavioral guidance and targeted to achieve social, health, educational, vocational, character and leadership development.

Opportunities offered include: leadership; education; music; technology; community service; special events; fitness including swimming, basketball, baseball, tennis, golf and dance; field trips; counseling; mentoring; job training and many others, including applying for college scholarships through the clubs.

These opportunities offer young people much more than just a safe place to be year-round when school is not in session.

Youth ages 6 to 17 can be part of the program because there is not a specific criteria required. The Boys & Girls Club of Springfield has a diversity of youth from all over the surrounding communities.

Each of its three Springfield units has a teen center with a full-time director, and the teens spend most of their time – when they are not in the gym – outside the Clubs with programs especially for them.

They also have a pre-teen center for the tweens, with their own tween staff leadership. The younger kids follow a schedule and rotate through program areas and special events, as well as field trips throughout the day.

The units are open Monday through Friday during the school year and in the summer.