The "B.R.A.T.S" that built the club and keep it strong
In 2005 Teresa Chandler and her daughter Allison moved to Okeechobee. After 12-year-old Allison attended school for a few months she arrived home and spoke to her mom about a concern she had. She said that there was not enough for kids her age to do in Okeechobee.
"Can we start having some dances?" Allison asked. The Chandlers moved from West Palm Beach where Allison had gone to YMCA dances and had enjoyed them. Allison at the age of 12 knew she had to change things in this town for the kids to have some fun.
Teresa started to gather the things needed to make her daughter's request possible, such as location, food, supplies and etc. The first dance was at Pier II resort and all the funds from the ticket and food sales went to the American Red Cross in Okeechobee. The first dance was a huge success with over 100 kids in attendance.
Who knew this was only the beginning?
The dances soon moved to the Shrine Club, which the club was grateful that the space was donated. Dances were held there for about a year and at each dance all the funds would go to a local non-profit such as the American Cancer Society, YMCA, Castle, Communities in Schools, Real Life Children's Ranch and more. They continued the teen dances through the years moving to the Freshman Campus Auditorium (courtesy of the school board) and occasionally uses the South Elementary Cafeteria.
Teresa Chandler decided to create a nonprofit for the dance program so the proceeds would benefit the students directly such as themes for the dance, supplies and two Okeechobee High School scholarships for $500 each. When asked why the name B.R.A.T. Club?
"Because of what it stands for: Building Relationships Among Teens," said Teresa Chandler .
"When I told Allison I wanted to call it B.R.A.T. Club she said 'we don't want to be called brats' and I thought it was cute," she continued.
The B.R.A.T. Club Inc. holds dances every month upon availability of the venue. Dances range in themes from Halloween, Valentines Day, Easter and Christmas. Many places of business donate to the B.R.A.T. Club including: Ding-A-Ling Deli, Dominos, Buxton-Bass Funeral home, Silver Spurs Signs, Publix, Papa Johns, Okeechobee County Sheriff, Okeechobee City Police, Okeechobee News, Waste Management, WOKC Radio and Okeechobee County Schools, Jerry LaFavre, Beef 'O' Brady's, March of Dimes, Guardian ad Litem, Dairy Queen, Holiday Inn Express.
Pictured: B.R.A.T. Club board of directors from left to right: Judge Jerald Bryant, Matt Buxton, Tammi Kelly, Teresa Chandler Bishop, Andrea Medellin, Sheriff Noel Stephens and Sheriff (Retired) Paul May.
Excerpt from the Jan. 17th 2014 Okeechobee News by Tammi Kelly
"Can we start having some dances?" Allison asked. The Chandlers moved from West Palm Beach where Allison had gone to YMCA dances and had enjoyed them. Allison at the age of 12 knew she had to change things in this town for the kids to have some fun.
Teresa started to gather the things needed to make her daughter's request possible, such as location, food, supplies and etc. The first dance was at Pier II resort and all the funds from the ticket and food sales went to the American Red Cross in Okeechobee. The first dance was a huge success with over 100 kids in attendance.
Who knew this was only the beginning?
The dances soon moved to the Shrine Club, which the club was grateful that the space was donated. Dances were held there for about a year and at each dance all the funds would go to a local non-profit such as the American Cancer Society, YMCA, Castle, Communities in Schools, Real Life Children's Ranch and more. They continued the teen dances through the years moving to the Freshman Campus Auditorium (courtesy of the school board) and occasionally uses the South Elementary Cafeteria.
Teresa Chandler decided to create a nonprofit for the dance program so the proceeds would benefit the students directly such as themes for the dance, supplies and two Okeechobee High School scholarships for $500 each. When asked why the name B.R.A.T. Club?
"Because of what it stands for: Building Relationships Among Teens," said Teresa Chandler .
"When I told Allison I wanted to call it B.R.A.T. Club she said 'we don't want to be called brats' and I thought it was cute," she continued.
The B.R.A.T. Club Inc. holds dances every month upon availability of the venue. Dances range in themes from Halloween, Valentines Day, Easter and Christmas. Many places of business donate to the B.R.A.T. Club including: Ding-A-Ling Deli, Dominos, Buxton-Bass Funeral home, Silver Spurs Signs, Publix, Papa Johns, Okeechobee County Sheriff, Okeechobee City Police, Okeechobee News, Waste Management, WOKC Radio and Okeechobee County Schools, Jerry LaFavre, Beef 'O' Brady's, March of Dimes, Guardian ad Litem, Dairy Queen, Holiday Inn Express.
Pictured: B.R.A.T. Club board of directors from left to right: Judge Jerald Bryant, Matt Buxton, Tammi Kelly, Teresa Chandler Bishop, Andrea Medellin, Sheriff Noel Stephens and Sheriff (Retired) Paul May.
Excerpt from the Jan. 17th 2014 Okeechobee News by Tammi Kelly