As the construction of Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County’s new Duneland Club continues to make progress, the excitement of Club members is growing as they anticipate the potential of more after- school activities that will be available. On Monday, September 12, Club members were a little more excited on this day because of a special visit from Strack & Van Til’s. Jeff Strack, president and CEO of Strack & Van Til Supermarkets and Chris Bengston, vice president of community affairs, customer service and corporate inventory control made a personal trip to the Club’s construction site to deliver a $25,000 gift toward helping build a new Duneland Club!
“When we first talked to our Club members about building a new Club, just for them, they loved the idea. Now that they see how big and how much more will be offered to them at their new Duneland Club, their excitement is almost electric. This is a tremendous community effort, and our Board, staff, Club members, and their families are thankful for the investment Strack & Van Til is providing toward our project,” states Ryan Smiley, president of Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County.
Strack & Van Til Supermarkets is a long-time contributor to Boys & Girls Clubs in both Porter and Lake counties. In July, the grocery chain named Boys & Girls Clubs as their charity to support during the month of July through the Checkout Challenge initiative. Strack & Van Til’s gift of $25,000 is one step closer in providing Duneland youth with a state-of- the- art Club complete with more space for tutoring and academic success activities, expanded room for STEM programming, and an Exergaming fitness center.
“Boys & Girls Clubs are valuable assets to our communities. Strack & Van Til is happy to make this gift to Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County and its youth members. Our company knows the lasting impact the new Duneland Club will have in Chesterton and our Northwest Indiana communities,” states Jeff Strack, president and CEO of Strack & Van Til Supermarkets.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County’s Duneland Club’s Capital Campaign is now offering opportunities for the general public to buy bricks that will be a permanent fixture in the pathway leading to the Club’s new doors. Bricks can be purchased online by visiting bgcpoco.org/bricks or by calling (219) 464-7282.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County has been opening doors to GREAT FUTURES for Porter County’s youth since 1971. Clubs are open after school and provide a great place for youth in grades K-12 to meet friends and have fun while in a safe, supervised environment. When school is out, our Clubs are in! Clubs are open during holidays and in the summer. Annual membership is only $35.00. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify. For information on membership, volunteer opportunities, or to make a tax deductible donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County’s New Duneland Club, please contact your local Club, call (219) 464-7282 or visit bgcpoco.org/newclub. Great Futures Start HERE
