Actor, movie producer and automobile racerChad McQueen has agreed to to accept the roleof this year’s Honorary Della RobbiaWreath Campaign Chairman. Aschairman, he will help to promote theDella Robbia program and its value asa work experience project fordisadvantaged teenagers.

As an actor, Chad is perhapsbest known for his role as“Dutch” in the movies KarateKid (1984) and Karate Kid, PartII (1986). Though retired fromauto racing, Chad startedMcQueen Racing LLC, acompany which partners withleaders in the motorcycle andcustom car industries to createlimited edition high performancemotorcycles and automobiles.

Chad continues a longtradition of McQueen familysupport to Boys Republic andGirls Republic. He most recentlyacted as the chairman and driving

Chino Hills, CA: Historic self-help projectnow in its 88th season. Continues to teachstudents important work-related habits.

Fall 2011

Actor, Racer Chad McQueento Chair 2011 Della RobbiaWreath Campaign

(Please turn to page 2)

Della RobbiaWreath

Order FormEnclosed

®

PAGE 2 BOYS REPUBLIC REPORT

(Continued from page 1)

force behind the highly-successful Friends ofSteve McQueen Car Show, a benefit eventheld at Boys Republic, each June.

Spectacular Decorations, Wonderful Gifts

Known and enjoyed every holiday seasonin homes, shops and offices around the world,Boys Republic Della Robbia Wreaths areuniquely suited as symbols of the season.They are hand-crafted of fresh noble firboughs, fragrant apples and lemons and acornucopia of pine cones, decorative seedpods and other natural materials. Thesematerials are combined in an unusual designcreated in 1923 by Mrs. Margaret Fowler, afounder of Boys Republic.

Today, decades after it was first createdand centuries after the original design wasborn, the Della Robbia retains both itsuniqueness and its universal appeal.

A Merry Christmas for You and Yours — A Second Chance for a Troubled Child

Besides its fresh, fragrant contributions toyour holiday décor, your Della Robbia

Annual Della RobbiaWreath Campaign ProvidesWork Experience forDisadvantaged Teens

GYMNASIUM SERVES AS DELLA ROBBIAFACTORY: A 1920’s vintage gymnasium, con-verted to a wreath production facility, is knownon campus as the “pod barn,” in reference to thenearly 3 million seed pods and pine cones usedeach year, adorning the wreaths.

WREATH PRODUCTION : For many students,Della Robbia season is their first experienceworking in a production environment. Importantworking skills include cooperating with others,applying oneself to the task at hand andaccepting direction from a supervisor.

FALL 2011 PAGE 3

Wreath gives something else. It gives asecond chance to a deserving child workingto overcome the trauma of abuse and neglect.Producing the wreath provides them withmeaningful after-school work to do andproceeds from its sale help pay for thecounseling and the education – literally, thesecond chance – they are receiving in theprogram.

In weekend work parties throughout theyear, students go into the fields and forests tocollect the natural materials used in makingthe wreaths. Each cone, pod and seed case isbrought back to campus where it is cleaned,drilled and stored in preparation for wreath-making season. Then, beginning just afterThanksgiving, the wreaths are assembled overa 12-day production period and individuallyshipped to customers throughout the world.

“Nothing Without Labor”At the heart of the Della Robbia wreath

project is the program’s strong reinforcementof positive life values. Among the mostimportant of these – especially for teens whoare about to become adults and enter societyon their own – are a strong work ethic and theself-esteem that comes with earning one’sown way. “Nothing Without Labor” is theagency’s motto and your Della RobbiaWreath serves as both symbol and substanceof that most important lesson.

EARNING THEIR WAY: Students receiveschool credit for their work, in addition tothe satisfaction of knowing that campaignproceeds help to pay for the cost of theircare.

Le Mans Theme Adds Novelty,Nostalgia to 4th Annual Friends ofSteve McQueen Car Show

PAGE 4 BOYS REPUBLIC REPORT

Café Margaret sat nestled in the heart ofLeMans’ French village where a bow-tied team ofBoys Republic’s food services students practicedthe gentlemanly art of waiting on tables. Poise andpoliteness go a long way in the working world ofservice and Boys Republic takes every opportunityto turn an occasion into a learning experience forits students. It’s all about the kids.

This particular occasion was the 4th AnnualFriends of Steve McQueen Car Show, held lastJune 4. Nearly 375 display vehicles of all makesand more than 3,000 people helped to create theenjoyable event.

A Le Mans theme was chosen by eventorganizers to celebrate the famous 24 Hours of LeMans race, as well as to create a show featuring thetypes of vehicles most-associated with actor andBoys Republic alumnus Steve McQueen. Inventorand auto collector Peter Dunkel. auto-designerFreeman Thomas, and automotive fine artistNicolas Hunziker transformed Boys Republic’s200-acre campus into a French village, completewith Le Mans street signs, a comical baton-wielding French policeman, flower carts and fruitstands, and a collection of vintage French vehicles.

Students, along with actor and event co-chairman Chad McQueen, presented each classwinner with a trophy. The awards were uniquelyhand-crafted of wood and automobile componentsby Boys Republic’s woodshop class. The Best inShow trophy featured a piston from a vehicleformerly owned by Steve McQueen.

Net proceeds of approximately $50,000 fromthe event will be applied toward a campus-widerenovation of major buildings. “We’re deeplygrateful for all of the individuals whose efforts,over a full year, made the car show possible,” saidChris Burns, Boys Republic executive director.

Next year? “The theme is McQueen’s movie,‘Bullitt’. We can’t wait!”

also be ordered using the enclosed form. Thecompleted form can be faxed to (909) 628-9688 ormailed to Boys Republic at 1907 Boys RepublicDrive, Chino Hills, CA 91709.

Della Robbia wreaths can also be ordered bycomputer, using the Internet. Orders can be placedvia Boys Republic’s home page at:www.boysrepublic.org.

Early ordering is encouraged. If past years’experience again holds true this season, everywreath the students and their adult helpers canassemble from the stores of pine cones and podswill be purchased by mid-December and late

orders will have to bereturned unfilled.

Originally created as awork-experience vehiclefor students in residence,

over the years the BoysRepublic Della Robbia

wreath campaignbecame as well asupplemental sourceof funds for theagency’s non-profitprograms of

counseling andeducation. Itcontinues to

serve thatdual purposetoday,providing

meaningful

When the first Della Robbia Christmas wreathof 2011 travels by conveyor from the hand-assembly area to the shipping dock in the BoysRepublic wreath barn late this November, it willsignal the beginning of the 88th season of one ofthe oldest and largest self-help enterprisesundertaken by any child-care program in thenation. It is an enterprise as rich in history andtradition as it is essential to the school’s work withhundreds of troubled teens every year.

As they have every year since 1923, thestudents of Boys Republic will greet the holidayswith the crackle of dried pine cones and seed pods,the scent of fresh California evergreen foliage andthe sight of piles of greenery, boxes of fresh applesand lemons and stacks of shipping cartons.

Della Robbias come in two sizes. A22-inch diameter wreathsells for $46.95complete withapplicable taxes,shipping andhandling. A 32-inch diameterwreath is pricedat $69.95, taxes,shipping andhandlingincluded.Wreaths can bebought by check,money order, Master Card,Visa or Discover Card.

Last-minute orders can beplaced by telephone at 1-(800) 833-7769. Wreaths can

Della Robbia News®

OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE BOYS REPUBLIC DELLA ROBBIA WREATH PROGRAM FALL, 2011

Historic Wreath Program Will Again Help BR Teens Earn Their Own Way

(Please turn toback page of thisspecial section)

They have been called “the very image of holidaycelebrating” and “Christmas cheer in a box.” Theyare Boys Republic’s world-famous Della RobbiaChristmas wreaths, distinctive, all-natural decorationsthat have been an important part of Christmas tofamilies throughout the nation and elsewhere for over80 years.

Hefty rings of fresh California evergreen boughsencrusted with pine cones, seed pods and burrs and

then highlighted with fresh apples and lemons, DellaRobbia wreaths look and smell like Christmas, itself.

Because of the fresh materials they contain, thefinal hand-assembly, packaging and shipment of thefinished wreaths is limited to a period of only a fewweeks at the start of the holiday season. Yet eachDella Robbia wreath represents a full year of effortby Boys Republic and Girls Republic students and

Distinctive Della Robbia Wreaths AreNatural Symbols of the Holiday Season

(Please turn to back page of this special section)

Anatomy of a Della RobbiaPINE CONESCones from a variety of pine and fir trees areused in every wreath, some gathered ataltitudes of up to 10,000 feet in the SierraNevada Mountains.

COTTON BURRThese delicate star-shaped pods are gleanedfrom the fields of the San Joaquin Valley afterthe cotton crop has been picked.

EVERGREEN BOUGHSSupple noble fir evergreens are harvestedfresh in the forests Northern California andOregon. No trees are harmed in the pruning process.

LIQUIDAMBARA member of the witch hazel family,liquidambar trees grow in great profusionthroughout Southern California. These spinyseed casings are gathered early in the year.

PLUMOSUMNamed for their feather-like plumes, thesenovel cones are native to Israel and SouthAfrica.

WINESAP APPLES & FRESH LEMONSHand-rubbed in alcohol and then lacquered tokeep them colorful and plump.

LOTUS PODThis distinctive water lily seedcasing with many of the seeds stillintact is gathered in the fall fromlocal lakes and ponds.

BOTTLE TREE PODThis pod is from a tree native toAustralia and now grows in SanFernando Valley, California.

Note: The number, selection and placement of cones andseedpods upon the Della Robbia Wreath may vary each year,depending upon the availability of these natural materials.

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Phone, Fax, Modem or Mail In Your

Last-Minute Wreath OrdersPhone: (800) 833-7769 Fax: (909) 628-9688Internet: http://www.boysrepublic.orgMail: Boys Republic, 3493 Grand Ave., Chino Hills, CA 91709

WREATHSIZE

SHIP TO:(PRINT NAMES AND FULL ADDRESSES INCLUDING ZIP CODES)

WREATHS PRICES*

______ 22” WREATHS @ $46.95, COMPLETE $_______

______ 32” WREATHS @ $69.95, COMPLETE $_______

TOTAL ORDER $_______

* PRICES INCLUDE APPLICABLE TAXES, SHIPPING, AND HANDLING.

* Shipments outside of U.S. Continental limits must go Air Parcel Post or UPS at customer’sexpense.

CREDIT CARD PURCHASES[ ] VISA [ ]M/C [ ] DISCOVER [ ]AMX Exp. Date: ______

Cardholder: _______________________

PERSONAL & BUSINESS CHECK PURCHASESPlease make checks payable to Boys RepublicSENDER INFORMATION

Name: ______________________________

Address: ____________________________City/State/Zip:__________________________

Phone No.: _________________

WREATH ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

1. PLEASE FILL OUT FORM COMPLETELY,INCLUDE FULL ADDRESSES WITH ZIP CODES.

2. WREATH ORDERS ARE PROCESSED AND SHIPPEDIN THE ORDER RECEIVED..

3. AVOID DUPLICATION. IF YOU TELEPHONE OR FAXYOUR ORDER, PLEASE DO NOT ALSO MAIL IT.

4. ONLY 22-INCH WREATHS WILL BE SHIPPED TOADDRESSES OUTSIDE CONTINENTAL U.S. ANDTHEY GO UPS OR AIR PARCEL POST AT ADDI-TIONAL CUSTOMER EXPENSE.

5. NOTE: DELLA ROBBIA WREATHS CANNOT BESHIPPED TO P.O. BOXES.

the professional wreath staff that works with them.Beginning each January, weekend work parties of

boys and staff go into selected fields, forests andorchards to collect numerous varieties of seed pods,nuts, cones and other natural, dried materials. Thenduring the week,each sackful issorted, cleaned,drilled and wired.The cones and podsare then wiredtogether intodecorative arraysand then stored inboxes and bins inan old gymnasiumtransformed into awreath barn on theagency’s ChinoHills campus.

Altogether,more than threemillion individualpods and conesfrom as many as adozen varieties of trees and plants are collected,prepared and stored each year to await the holidayseason.

The distinctive design of the cone, pod and fruit-studded Della Robbia wreath was inspired by theceramic wreath sculptures of the Della Robbia familyof artisans in 16th century Florence, Italy. MargaretFowler, a founder of Boys Republic, happened to seean original Della Robbia ceramic while vacationingin Europe in the early 1920’s, just at a time when shewas searching for a craft project that would teach thechildren in her care the value of honest labor. Shebrought the idea home with her and, in 1923, the firstfew dozen Della Robbia wreaths were made and solddoor-to-door for $2.50 each.

So successful was the project that the followingyear wreath production was increased to 107. It wasincreased again for the third year and again for thefourth. Wreath sales quickly grew to 500 per season,then 1,000, then 1,500.

In the early 1950’s, Boys Republic Board of

after-school and weekend work for hundreds ofstudents a year and helping Boys Republic raisenearly one-quarter of its own annual operatingbudget. Proceeds from wreath sales and other self-help activities and donations represent a savings totaxpayers of nearly $4 million a year.

Historic Campaign Enters 88th Season

Directors formalized the Della Robbia program,expanding it to serve as a key component in students’work experience activities and as a primary source ofsupplemental funding for the agency’s non-profitoperations. They converted an old, red brick

gymnasium on themain campus into apermanent wreathbarn and installedan automatedconveyer system tospeed the wreathsfrom each hand-assembly stage tothe next. By 1955,production hadswelled to 30,000wreaths per season.

Today, morethan 40,000 DellaRobbias areproduced in a 13-day period betweenThanksgiving andmid-December each

year. But despite that large volume, the wreaths aremade as they have always been made, carefullyhand-tied, one at a time.

Each wreath is packaged, moisture-sealed andready to ship within minutes of being completed.Most wreaths are shipped within 24 hours ofmanufacture. Those having to wait an extra day arestored in a cooler to keep them florist-fresh.

Della Robbias Evoke Holiday Charm and Joy(Continued from page 2 of “Della Robbia News”)

(Continued from front page of “Della Robbia News”)

HOLIDAY HOOD ORNAMENT: Each year, Monrovia Day Treatment studentspresent local police and firefighters with Christmas wreaths made at the ChinoHills campus. A fresh Della Robbia adorned one of the firetrucks at FireHeadquarters Station 101 in Monrovia, California, during our 2010 wreathcampaign.

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FALL 2011 PAGE 5

Each Box of Pumpkins reads, “Display, Carve,Cook.” Inside are a dozen or so “designer”pumpkins and gourds: White Casper, Tiny Tim,Fairytale, Cinderella and other varieties of varioussizes, shapes and textures and colors. Each box isdifferent. These are the fruits of Boys Republic’sPumpkin Patch, a six month student workexperience project at the Chino Hills campus.

This year, Armstrong Garden Centers haspartnered with Boys Republic by purchasing 512boxes (that’s more than 6,000 pumpkins) andthey’ll be for sale at each of Armstrong’s thirty-onelocations in California.

The Pumpkin Patch endeavor is just one ofmany projects undertaken by Boys Republic’sLandscaping Class. The course introduces studentsto the theoretical and applied knowledge theywould need to either go to work for a large firm orstart their own business. It operates under theumbrella of the Baldy View Regional Occupational

Pumpkin Harvest:Agriculture Students Partnerwith Armstrong Garden Centers

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bbooxxeess $$22..7777ddrriipp ssyysstteemm 22..2255wwaatteerr 22..0000wwooooddeenn ssttaakkeess ..1100sseeeeddss 11..2255ffeerrttiilliizzeerr ..8855cclliippppeerrss ..1100bbuucckkeettss ..0055

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Program. The class is all about the large body ofknowledge and the working habits that will help ayoung worker obtain and keep a job.

VARIETY PACK: Box of Pumpkins will besold at each of Armstrong Garden Centerslocations in California.

* Labor estimate does not include the cost ofclass instructor’s time on project.

PAGE 6 BOYS REPUBLIC REPORT

Kids are our business. We help troubled kidsearn their way to a better life. Most, who “stickwith the program” and graduate, go on to becomeproductive citizens. There’s a group however who,for whatever reason, don’t complete the program,but thrive nevertheless in really stellar fashion asadults. Alumnus Jim Rathmann was such a student.

Rathmann, whose real first name is Richard,showed up for an unannounced visit in 2005. It washis first time back at Boys Republic and a lot hadtranspired since he’d been a student in 1942-43.

“When I left here, I went to work as ajourneyman butcher,” he recalled. “But what Ireally wanted to do was to get into auto racing. Iwas mechanically-inclined and always working oncars, after work.”

“I was 16 and too young to race, so I switcheddriver’s licenses with my older brother and beganracing as ‘Jim’ Rathmann. Professionally, the namestuck, but my driver’s license still says Richard.”

Jim Rathmann

StellarOutcome

(Please turn to page 8)

INDY 500 WINNER:Rathmann’s 1960 winis considered bymany to be thegreatest “500” ever.During the entiresecond half of therace, he and secondplace finisher RodgerWard were nevermore than a few feetfrom each other,swapping the lead atotal of 14 times.

Record setter. Rule bender. Businessman and Boys Republicalumnus Jim Rathmann won the Indianapolis 500 and foundsunken treasure. He gets full credit.

FALL 2011 PAGE 7

A memorial contribution toBoys Republic and GirlsRepublic is a meaningful way tohonor a special person, a specialevent or the memory of a friendor loved one. Your gift will reapa second benefit as well bycontributing directly to theprograms of Boys and GirlsRepublic. In this way, the honorpaid the designee will live onperpetually in the lives of thedeserving young people youhave helped.

The following are memorialand commemorative contributionsmade from April 1, 2011 throughAugust 31, 2011.

Memorials HonorSpecial People,Events, Through theLives of Children

Donor / In Memory of:Ms. Gertrude Fox/

Marian BarnettMr. & Mrs. Bill Sides/

Steve BertoletteMr. & Mrs. Richard Williams/

Steve BertoletteMr. & Mrs. Chris Burns/

Steve BertolettePasadena Auxiliary of Boys

Republic/Steve BertoletteMr. Mervine LeRoy Box/

Marion Elaine BoxDr. & Mrs. Irwin Kempler/

Mildred BurhennMs. Karen Cochran/your brotherMr. & Mrs. Chris Burns/

Martin FalkMs. Joan Morrison Brenner/

Martin FalkMr. Donald Dean Gibson/

Martin FalkMr. Max Finkelstein/Martin FalkMs. Marty Francis/Marie FrancisMr. & Mrs. Richard Williams/

Virgil Hansen

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Griffice/Linda & Thomas

Mrs. Louise M. Laub/Louise Knauss

Mrs. Louise M. Laub/Bob Mullen

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Williams/Dorothy Nigliazzo

Ms. Margaret A. McMillan/Mary Ray Pierce

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Williams/Richard N. Speier

Mrs. Faye Simpson Baden/Margareta Stark

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Fox/J. W. Webb, Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Williams/Theresa Webb

Donor / In Honor of:Mr. Leon B. Miller/

David Brahms

Boys Republic Report

Boys Republic Report is published threetimes yearly by Boys Republic, 1907 BoysRepublic Drive, Chino Hills, CA 91709.(909) 628-1217.

Boys Republic and Girls Republic areprivate, non-profit, non-sectarian agencieshelping troubled children aged 13 to 18.Rules for acceptance and participation inthese programs are the same for everyonewithout regard for race, color, national origin,age, sex or handicap.

Our Mission

Boys Republic is a nonprofit organizationwhich seeks to give adolescent youth withbehavioral, educational, and emotionaldifficulties an opportunity to achieve theirmaximum potential for responsible, self-directed life within the community.

Every attempt is made to involve familymembers in the rehabilitation process and tobring about the reunification of the family. Weconsider the development of academic,vocational, and social skills essential inassisting youth we serve to return to thecommunity as useful productive citizens.

PAGE 8 BOYS REPUBLIC REPORT

Alumnus Jim Rathmann:Auto Racer, Treasure Hunter

(Continued from page 6)

Rathmann raced from 1946 through 1964. Hefinished runner-up at the Indianapolis 500 threetimes, before winning it in 1960 in what manyconsider the most exciting Indianapolis 500 ever.

Retiring from racing in 1964, Rathmannowned and operated a couple of Chevrolet/Cadillacdealerships in Florida. He befriended several of theoriginal U.S. astronauts and convinced GeneralMotors President Ed Cole to set up a programwhich supplied each astronaut with a pair of carsevery year.

In the early 1970s, he and a group ofautomobile executives formed Doubloon Salvage,Inc., a treasure hunting outfit. They discoveredsunken Spanish galeons off the coast of Florida andrecovered more than 13,000 doubloons.

We asked Rathmann whether he thought theBoys Republic program had been of benefit to him.

His reply: “I don’t know . . . I spent most of mytime here at hard labor. I’d run off to buycigarettes, get caught and disciplined,” he paused,eyes twinkling. Then added, “But, you know,everything I ever did, I made money at it.”

Kids are our business. We’re encouraged bytheir successes, saddened by their failures. We’dlike to say we had a hand in Jim Rathmann’sphenomenal success. But, in all honesty, the drive,independent streak and imagination that setRathmann on his adventurous life trajectory werehis own. He pretty much destined himself forgreatness.

For his overall career in racing, Rathmann wasinducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame in2007.