Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County invites the community to a Ribbon Cutting ceremony and Open House to celebrate the new renovations of the gymnasium at the Valparaiso Club on September 25, 2012. The celebration will take place at the Club located at 354 W. Jefferson in Valparaiso.
“The Club has served the community well for many years,” said Dan Welch, Unit Director of the Valparaiso Club. “The gym looks great and the kids will enjoy playing there for many years to come. “ The Valparaiso Club opened at its current location in 1972. Over 1,000 youth from the Valparaiso community participate in the Club’s programs, activities and athletic leagues every year.
Lakeside Wealth Management provided the majority of the funding needed to replace the gym floor, which was the original floor installed in 1977. “Not only are we committed to giving back to the community where we work and live, but the positive impact Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County has had on our children strikes a special chord with us all,” said Mark Chamberlain, CEO of Lakeside Wealth Management.
Additional donors also provided generous funding for the renovation project including Carpenters Union Local #1005, Iota Chapter of Kappa Kappa Kappa, Valparaiso University English Class 396 and several anonymous donors. Because of their investment, not only was the gym floor replaced, but new bleachers and wall pads were added and the gym walls received a fresh coat of paint.
The public is invited to join the Ribbon Cutting celebration and Open House beginning at 4:00 p.m. City of Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas and representatives from Lakeside Wealth Management and Boys and Girls Clubs of Porter County will be in attendance making remarks during the Ribbon Cutting program at 4:30 p.m. The Open House will continue until 7:00 p.m. featuring club tours, carnival games, face painting, snacks and more.
“We are truly grateful for our donors who invested in this much needed renovation project,” said Chuck Leer, President of Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County. “It’s remarkable what changes can be made when a community of people come together for a common cause.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County has been serving youth for 40 years. The Clubs provide programs for nearly 5,000 boys and girls in the areas of character and leadership development, educational enhancement, career preparation, health and life skills, the arts and sports, fitness and recreation.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County offers a wide variety of summer camps and programs. For more information on membership, volunteer opportunities or to make a tax deductible donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County, please contact your local Club, call (219) 464-7282 or visit www.bgcpoco.org. Great Futures Start HERE.
Photo: Club members Damaris Hisick and Grant Jakubowski are all smiles after getting a “sneak peek” of the renovations at the Valparaiso Club. Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County is inviting the public to a Ribbon Cutting and Open House at the Valparaiso Club on September 25, 2012.