Children’s champions honoured at gala
The Boys and Girls Club of Niagara (BGCN) continues to recognize those who have had a longterm impact on the non-profit organization.
The BGCN hosted its annual Champions for Children gala at the John Michael’s Banquet Centre in Thorold on Friday – showing gratitude to three recipients of a tribute that has been given out for the last 10 years.
Praised for their support of the club and youth in Niagara were Mayor Wayne Redekop and the Town of Fort Erie, Niagara College, and Heartland Forest’s Dan Bouwman.
Paying tribute to groups and individuals started in 2008 when the BGCN was in its fundraising campaign for a new headquarters, a $12-million facility that opened its doors in 2011.
Some donors made contributions of more than $100,000, leaving a positive mark on the club for many years, said executive director JoAnne Turner.
“We’re really fortunate in Niagara to have some really special people,” she said at Friday’s gala.
Heartland Forest’s support of the club as well as its own programming for children is part of the reason behind the recognition given on Friday night to its founder, Bouwman.
He said receiving this award from the BGCN is extra special and that he is very honoured to receive it.
“It’s all about sharing and caring for people – especially children,” he said in an interview at the event.
Bouwman started Heartland Forest in 2004 and since then has offered numerous programs for people of all ages and abilities.
All proceeds from the estimated 20,000 visitors who come through the 93-acre property in Niagara Falls, which is also considered Provincially Significant Wetland, are invested back into the programming offered.
The Town of Fort Erie and Redekop were thanked for commitment to youth but also for the municipality’s role in securing the BGCN’s facility on Lewis Street, which would not exist without the community gaming development corporation bringing an opportunity to share the building with other groups to the club’s attention a few years ago.
“It’s been a relationship that’s lasted a long time and helped hundreds of children in Fort Erie,” said Turner.
Redekop also said Fort Erie’s new schools, safe streets, bingo revenues provided to the BGCN, and the work of the town’s Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee are examples of the hard work being done to support children in his community.
“For the Town of Fort Erie, it’s an affirmation that we’re doing things to make our community a welcoming place for children,” he said.
Niagara College president Dan Patterson said a common vision to help young people is shared between the college and the important community-based club.
Niagara College’s Benchmark Restaurant recently hosted a Christmas feast for about 200 children, put together a video for the organization through faculty and students in the broadcasting program, and even had business students conduct research for the club’s strategic plan.
“The alignment of our goals is really great and that’s resulted in some wonderful partnerships,” said Patterson.
The BGCN offers a variety of programs and services including licensed child care, before and after-school programming, recreational programming, and leadership and training courses.