Special Profile
Special Profile
Leaving a Legacy of Love
Our surviving founder, Mrs. T. A.‘ Jean’ Robinson, passed away in April. We are deeply saddened by her loss, but grateful she walked alongside our mission for the past 45 years. Just this fall we were fortunate enough to celebrate her 100th birthday!
Mr. Tommy and Mrs. Jean Robinson were Boys and Girls Country’ s beloved founders. Ms. Jean was the one who named our organization and, with Mr. Tommy, established our Christian mission. She was a very private person and often reminded us that all the credit for the success and longevity of Boys and Girls Country went to God.“ God has been the leader of the home, the sovereign, the motivator, and the provider,” Ms. Jean told one of our girls during an interview in 2011. It was not until later in her life that Ms. Jean allowed us to honor her, not just with a Friend of Children Award but also as our Heritage Award Dinner Honoree.
Mr. Tommy and Ms. Jean were incredible friend-raisers. In the early days of Boys Country they handpicked our Board of Directors and chose our first Executive Director, Jack Brewer. They were always bringing people from church, friends and business associates to visit our home. They told everyone they knew about Boys and Girls Country and were always willing to visit with people interested in our mission. In 1998, the capital campaign A Chance for Childhood was launched to give Boys and Girls Country a major facelift. The cottages, administration building, and Community Life Building were in need of major renovations, and we needed a new education lab. Ms. Jean made a major leadership gift to the campaign and helped raise more money than anyone thought possible. She was also a firm believer that no gift was too small, and always reminded people that the program was started with one $ 25 gift.
In 2010, Ms. Jean invited all of our children to the Houston Country Club for a performance of Buddy Griffin’ s All Star Banjo Band. She warmly greeted every child as they entered. And if they didn’ t look her in the eye or give her a firm handshake, she gently prodded them to use their skills. Seeing Ms. Jean in action that day reminded us why Boys and Girls Country has been going strong for 45 years. It is the tenacity, determination, generosity, faith and vision of our founders, plus a huge dose of love for children, that made this all possible.
“ And here’ s to you, Mrs. Robinson, we all love you more than you will know …” Sung by the BGC kids at the 2011 Heritage Award Dinner honoring Mrs. Jean Robinson, co-founder of Boys and Girls Country.
Boys and Girls Country News | Summer 2016 5