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BE GREAT Outstanding Leadership Award recipients Ron and Janet Knaus with BGC Executive Director and 2014 Youth of the Year. /Ted Bingham of Redpoint Photography
BE GREAT Community Involvement Award recipient The City of Grand Rapids with BGC Executive Director and 2014 Youth of the Year. /Ted Bingham of Redpoint Photography
BE GREAT Outstanding Business Award recipients, Ron and Janet Knaus, with BGC Executive Director and 2014 Youth of the Year. /Ted Bingham of Redpoint Photography
Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth including Camp O’Malley is celebrating over 75 years of serving youth in West Michigan. In honor of this milestone and the close of their “Building Bridges for Brighter Futures” Capital Campaign, the organization hosted this year’s annual fundraiser focused on the great achievements of its history and supporters. The 2nd Annual BE GREAT Gala: “An All Out Blitz for West Michigan Youth” was held at the Goei Center on September 10, 2014 at 6:30pm. More than 300 supporters as well as prominent citizens and businesses in the Greater Grand Rapids Area were in attendance.
The BE GREAT Gala included the organization’s BE GREAT Awards, exciting live auction, delicious food, and live music written and performed by Club members. The BE GREAT Awards were a major part the evening and honored three very special supporters. Recipients were recognized and presented with their awards at the event. Congratulations to the 2014 BE GREAT Award winners:
BE GREAT Outstanding Leadership – Ron and Janet Knaus
Ron and Janet Knaus volunteered uncountable hours at the Paul I. Phillips Club, anything from playing and officiating basketball to mending clothes. They have coordinated field trips and provided opportunities for our Club members to attend basketball games, hockey games, and cooking classes, not to mention creating the BEST Halloween party and haunted house in town. Janet is also involved with the Programming Committee at Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids and has helped with the planning of the BE GREAT Gala. Ron and Janet continue to be dedicated supporters of the Clubs, and they assisted in starting the second phase of the Paul I. Phillips Club renovation.
BE GREAT Outstanding Business – Meijer
Meijer has been a long time supporter of Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids. The company has contributed significantly to the organization’s Building Bridges Capital Campaign, Youth of the Year program and event, BE GREAT Gala, other past fundraisers, and continued annual support of the Clubs and Camp O’Malley. J.K. Symancyk, President at Meijer Location Grand Rapids, has been a Board Member and integral part of the Clubs’ annual and strategic planning for over seven years.
BE GREAT Community Involvement – The City of Grand Rapids
The City of Grand Rapids gifted the Paul I. Phillips Recreation Center to Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids in 2012. With the City’s help, the organization was able to secure the building and renovate the location. The City obtained more than $1 million to cover the costs of the renovation expanding the reach that Boys & Girls Clubs has to the local community.
Celebrating the efforts of individuals, companies, and organizations is important to Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids. The BE GREAT Gala was a great opportunity for Grand Rapids to come together and learn about the youth that live in this community.
“When Tammi King, [Club member parent of 2014 Grand Rapids Youth of the Year and Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids Board Member], shared her story of how she came to the Club and what the Club has meant for her family, it was a confirmation that the Club makes a huge difference for its members and the community,” said BE GREAT Award Winner Janet Knaus. “Tammi is the one who deserves a BE GREAT Award.”
Everyone that attended this event helped to support Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids and its life changing programs. Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids understands that unleashing the potential of youth in our community will have a positive impact on the entire Grand Rapids community now and in the future. Their Clubs serve over 2,500 youth a year and over 90% of their youth fall below the poverty line.
If you missed the BE GREAT Gala but still want to get involved, please contact Nicole Rodammer, Director of Development, at [email protected] or 616-233-9370 x 111 or visit www.bgcgrandrapids.org to learn more.
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