Danville Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Rob Gifford hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Teen Center on Tuesday (May 26th); which will allow more room for ALL ages that use the Boys & Girls Club, in addition to giving the much older kids a place of their own.
Gifford gave major credit to two substantial donors for the project; the Golden Nugget Casino of Danville, and the Julius W. Hegeler II Foundation. Gifford says the great thing about having more for the teens is that more kids, as they benefit from the tutoring assistance, meals, and other items the club has to offer; are likely to stay with the program as they get older. And then, many of them become interested in sharing all they have learned about making the right choices, with the younger Boys & Girls Club kids.
(1st Picture) Boys & Girls Club of Danville Executive Director Rob Gifford leads a tour of the club’s facilities (with Golden Nugget Danville GM Rashad Wilson in the forefront). (3rd Picture) District 118 Superintendent John Hart (fourth from left) listens as Rob Gifford explains future plans prior to the groundbreaking.
AUDIO: I would hope having older kids in high school, that are getting ready to go to college, or look for a trade, or look for another job; will come back to the club, or become donors to the club; or just talk about their experience with the club, and bring other people here to help us.
For the Golden Nugget Casino, this was one of many commitments they made to the City of Danville, upon getting approval by the City Council. And General Manager Rashad Wilson says their hard work contributions to the Boys & Girls Club will certainly be more than just money.
AUDIO: We can reach out to our executive team to be volunteers also. We want to be able to give our sweat equity, not just dollars, but our sweat equity also to the Boys & Girls Club. Because we were in that situation at one time; how can we get them into a better situation, to help them foster a better relationship with understanding careers and things of that sort?
Gifford mentioned that although he would love to cut the ribbon on this new teen center towards the end of this calendar year, he believes early 2027 might be more realistic.
