About Us

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County offers low-cost after-school and summer programs for all children ages 6 to 18 in Martin County. The comprehensive youth development programs offered at the Clubs focus on academics, character and leadership skills, health and life skills, recreation and the creative arts. The trained staff mentors strive to enable and inspire all young people, especially those who need us the most, to reach their full potential as responsible, caring and productive citizens. For more information, please log on to Boys & Girls Clubs Of Martin County at www.bgcmartin.org

Michael Shields
March 3, 1973 – September 12, 1996

No one would be more proud to have their name used for an inshore fishing tournament to benefit kids in the Boys and Girls Club than Mike Shields.
Mike was born and raised by his parents Steve and Sooky and spent much of his childhood fishing on the St. Lucie River. Mike stood out as a young student and athlete, excelling in football, baseball and soccer, while still maintaining his place on the Honor Roll. In 1990, Mike was elected co-captain of the Martin County High School Football team by his teammates, and led the Tigers to a 9 and 1 record. The team’s recognition of Mike’s leadership was a testament to his strong work ethic and his attitude of getting respect by giving respect. Sports showed Mike’s character and nature to the Community but it did not define him. Mike was an excellent student and after High School was accepted to Columbia, but decided to return to the warmer climate of Gainesville and the University of Florida. Mike joined Alpha Tau Omega as well as numerous Honor Societies and Professional Organizations. Mike’s passion for the outdoors continued in Gainesville, and he was known for grabbing a friend or Fraternity Brother and running over to Cedar Key to fish or to the East Coast to surf. He was diagnosed with bone cancer in 1995. Despite undergoing extensive chemotherapy he stayed in school and obtained a Masters in Accounting graduating with honors.
Mike died tragically on September 12, 1996 at the age of 23, after a 2 1/2 year battle with bone cancer. The disease didn’t define him even when it slowed him down. He was still fishing and going to the Keys and comforting his friends as much as they comforted him. Mike recognized that he had lived a wonderful life even if it was cut short and that he had been given many gifts and opportunities that other people don’t have. The Boys & Girls Club of Martin County help provide those gifts and opportunities to kids in our community and the Mike Shields Memorial Inshore Open exemplifies the motto Mike lived by “Work Hard, Play Hard.”

Immediate Past Tournament Director Michael Weinberg

Chair, Bob Zaccheo has been working with At-Risk youth for over 12 years. He is a psychotherapist in Martin County and provides group, individual, family, and substance abuse treatment and prevention. His personal mission is to inspire people with support that encourages them to explore, to challenge themselves physically and mentally, and to interact with positive people.
After graduating from Widener University in Pennsylvania his desire to help others ignited at The Dignity Project, a non-for-profit outreach for troubled youth in Gainesville, Fl. He later returned to his hometown and further advanced his education and experience with a Masters degree at Florida Atlantic University. He found serving others to be a perfect fit for his life calling. As the Vice President of the Boys and Girls Club of Palm City’s board he is able to stay rooted in community outreach.
His journey of hard work and dedication has been accompanied with his wife Katie and their two children who are now 6 & 8. He is highly devoted to raising his children to the best of their abilities. He focuses on growing their faith, building meaningful relationships, and holds academics as a top priority. He also has a long standing passion for sports in which he is the coach for his son’s football team. Bob and his wife spend time together running in competitive events and when possible going camping and traveling as a family.

Assistant Chair, Jade Smith, Born and Raised in Stuart, FL  Jade started her first business at the young age of 21 that eventually grew into her true passion and the road that led her to a much larger project. At 23, Jade started Island Party Rentals. You usually can find her on the weekends at some of our local venues setting up for weddings and special events or spending time with her family on the boat. Jade has been married to her husband Robert for 5 years also a Stuart Florida native and they have a son Chase. When they find time, you can find them out on the boat, fishing, kayaking, at the pool or at the sandbar, ” anything in the sun!” Jade is on the Boys and Girls Clubs of Martin County Board (Palm City Branch), Gathering of Goddesses Event committee and recently inducted as 2010 Boys and Girls Club Alumni of the Year Hall of fame.  Jade was a “club kid” in the original Hobe Sound branch that was located in the Winn Dixie Plaza before moving into their current location on S.E. Lares Avenue. ” I enjoyed the field trips, games and interaction I had with kids that I didn’t get to see at school”

Operations Director, Dawn Greenlees

Sponshorship Director, Chris Higgins

Registration Director, R.J. Ferraro has been a Partner at the Ferraro Law Group since 2003, practicing both criminal and family law. Born and raised in Stuart, Florida, R.J. has been fishing the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon for as long as he can remember. Although he is usually skunked, his passion for fishing is insatiable (and every now and then R.J. actually manages to land a fish…allegedly). After graduating from The Florida State University and Stetson University College of Law, R.J. returned to Martin County, with his wife Nina, where they raise their son Joey and daughter, Sarah.

R.J. originally thought up the idea of this fishing tournament as a way for his friends to finally determine which one of them really is the best fisherman. In 2008, R.J. joined the board of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Martin County, Palm City Branch, and suggested the fishing tournament as a fun and innovative way to raise both awareness and funds for the Boys and Girls Clubs. Growing up, R.J. knew Michael Shields as sort of a big brother and role model who watched out for the kids in and around the Snug Harbor neighborhood. It seemed a natural fit to name the tournament in honor of Michael, as he no doubt would have been on the forefront, watching out for Martin County’s children in need.

Tournament Committee

Nina Ferraro, Bob Mark, John Meskauskas, Jeremy Neff, Vanessa Neff, Shaun Plymale, Steven Shields, Sarah Franklin, Suzanne Wentley, Juliet Ciaravino, Jaime Williams, Rufus Wakeman, Tanya Windecker, James Ferraro, Jade Smith, Karen Hester, Jared Gilman.

2011 Michael Shields Inshore Tournament

GOAL is to raise $60,000 for the

Boys and Girls Clubs of Martin County

The Projects

The Michael Shields Memorial Inshore Open was founded with the purpose of raising money for the children of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County. We have worked closely with the Clubs to find out what needs must be addressed at the ground level, that can most directly impact the children that the Boys & Girls Clubs serve. The following projects have been hand selected by our committee, so that we can ensure that your donation directly impacts the Club’s children.

1. Club T-Shirts (Estimated Cost $3,700) Every child that becomes a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County receives a Club t-shirt. At a minimum, these shirts represent membership and unity, and give the children a real sense of belonging. Even years after the child has grown, she will feel an immediate sense of pride upon seeing the t-shirt worn by a club member. Upon reaching this goal, each t-shirt printed for the calendar year will have the Michael Shields Memorial emblem on the sleeve. This will serve as a constant reminder to all who participate in our tournament that they are a partner with the Clubs in helping these children to be responsible and productive members of society. We are aiming to make their childhood memories positive ones.

2. Club Field Trips and Fun (Estimated Cost $10,000) One of the best things that the Boys & Girls Clubs do is bring the children on field trips during the summer to educate them and to give them an experience they might not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in. Unfortunately, there is little funding for these trips during the winter break when the need is great. In past years, the Michael Shields Memorial has funded a trip to a Heat Basketball game for Club Members and pizza parties for each of the 5 clubs in Martin County. This year, we aim to raise $2000 per club to be utilized solely for field trips selected by the 5 cite coordinators with input from the children. We expect that each club will utilize $1,000 during the winter break, and $1,000 during the summer break to give the kids an experience on us.

3. Snacks (Estimated Cost $5,100) Some of the Clubs in Martin County qualify for grants to provide after school snacks for the children, other Clubs do not. Still, there is no reason why every member of the Club shouldn’t receive an after school snack. With the next $5,100 that we hope to raise, we will ensure that every member gets a snack, regardless of his zip code. Our pledge will in no way affect the grants in place and will only serve to supplement them.

4. Swim Lessons (Estimated Cost $3,000) We hope to raise the next $3,000 to provide swimming lessons to the members of the Indiantown Branch. This is a need that we have recognized since the tournament’s inception.

5. Scholarships (Estimated Cost $37,000) We will apply the next $37,000 to ensure that any child who wants to attend the Boys & Girls Clubs can, regardless of whether their family can afford the nominal yearly fee to be a member. This is one of the Clubs’ biggest expenses. We fully funded the Scholarships last year, and hope to do so again this year.

6. Miscellaneous (Estimate Cost $1,200+) We recognize that from time to time, cash flow does not allow for simple needs of the Clubs; whether art supplies, sports equipment or administrative needs, we would suggest that any funds above and beyond those necessary to fund our hand selected projects be allocated on an “as needed” basis.

With your help, our Goals can become reality. Thank you for your involvement in the Michael Shields Memorial and your support of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County – the Positive Place for Kids.