We’ve all seen and heard regularly about the amazing work of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton Harbor over the years, but you might be stunned to learn that the club itself is no longer even a teenager. Believe it or not, the local organization is kicking off its 20th anniversary celebration next week.
The official kick off of the 20th anniversary celebration is slated for next Monday, April 9th at 5:30pm at the Club’s Fettig Youth Campus located at 600 Nate Wells Sr. Drive in Benton Harbor.
It will be the kick-off event that launches an entire year of activities recognizing the accomplishments and service to current and former Club members, volunteers, donors, members of the Board of Directors, and staff who have made a difference over the years for children & teens in our community.
The event includes a proclamation delivered by Mayor Marcus Muhammad, words of gratitude from the CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton Harbor Brian Saxton, Michigan Youth of the Year Quincy Sulton, and others. After a brief program, the event concludes with a member-guided tour of the Youth Campus.
To highlight the impact the Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton Harbor has on children and teens throughout the community, the Club is launching the celebration during National Boys & Girls Club Week, a Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) week of celebration to recognize the important work of local Boys & Girls Clubs in more than 4,000 communities nationwide where young lives are changed every day.
Local CEO Brian Saxton says, “We provide a safe, fun place where every day more than 300 youth and teens spend time out-of-school to develop and realize their full potential.” He adds, “This year, we are proud to celebrate 20 years of impact on our community and its kids. National Boys & Girls Club Week is a special time when we open the Club to the community for tours and fun events to experience the great work our Clubs are doing right here in Benton Harbor.”
Located at 600 Nate Wells Senior Drive, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton Harbor has served the youth of Benton Harbor since 1998. The Club provides after school and summer programs promoting educational and career development, character and leadership development, and healthy lifestyles for nearly 1,800 youth and teens at the Fettig Youth Campus and Joel E. Smilow Teen Center which is located across from Benton Harbor High School on Empire Avenue. You can learn more online at www.bgcbh.org.
