(Photo provided)
In Valparaiso, about 150 alumni, family and friends recently gathered to say farewell to the current Boys and Girls Club, which served the youth of Porter County in the Old Gardner School on Jefferson Street for over half-a-century. On display were old art projects, photos and other memorabilia. The program concluded with a virtual tour of the new Valparaiso Boys and Girls Club on Evans Avenue opening soon that among other things has a full music recording studio, teaching kitchen, two full-sized gymnasiums, and a STEM lab –science, technology, engineering and math. Shire Kuch, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana Vice President of Finance and Philanthropy, talked to us about the new club on Region Newsmakers at News Audio on Demand here at our website.
(Photo provided)
(Photo provided)
A program was held in the middle of the event which saw the introduction of the organization’s highest award. “It is only fitting that as we close this Club building forever, we recognize and honor the one person most responsible for its history and legacy,” said President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana, Ryan Smiley, “please join me in congratulating the first recipient of the Chuck Leer Lifetime Achievement Award to Mr. Chuck Leer!” A news release said the Chuck Leer Lifetime Achievement Award will require at least 30 years of extraordinary influence to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana. Leer, whose career saw 40 years of service, is best known for his work within the Porter County Clubs, of which he was able to provide massive capital improvements towards, the announcement said. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana also said Leer was the first to allow girls to attend the Clubs, even before the national organization approved females as members.
