As excitement is building for the 100 Year Celebration of the Katherine House, and the renovation of the East Chicago Katherine House Boys & Girls Club, BP America pledged their commitment in helping Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana build GREAT Futures of East Chicago youth through a $20,000 gift.
“As I have stated before, the East Chicago community is a very generous,” states Ryan Smiley, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana. “People and companies, like BP America, understand the very importance of our East Chicago Club, and the unbelievable opportunities this Club provides to youth in their out-of-school-time. BP America’s gift is helping us to renovate and enhance the East Chicago Katherine House Club because the youth of East Chicago deserve the best.”
BP America’s $20,000 gift is being used as part of a match from an anonymous donor to support this $1.25 million effort.
“BP is proud to be part of this important capital project,” said Don Porter, BP Whiting refinery manager. “BP is committed to supporting our communities and investing in projects that work toward strengthening our local Northwest Indiana area. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana’s mission to inspire youth to reach their full potential is something BP strongly supports. Community organizations, schools, parents and businesses must continue to work together to inspire the next generation of innovators and creators.”
The Katherine House, as it was known, has a rich place in East Chicago’s history. Built in 1919 by the local faith based community, its purpose was to serve as a youth center. Fast forward to 1973. As the Boys & Girls Club organization was growing throughout Lake and Porter Counties, the East Chicago Club became the third Club added to the Boys & Girls Clubs family. Lowell Robertson, founder of the East Chicago Club, worked with the Katherine House to merge into the now present East Chicago Katherine House Boys & Girls Club. As a contingent of the merger, girls were accepted as members. In 1992, the current East Chicago Katherine House Boys & Girls Club was built. The purpose of serving youth has never changed.
About BP America:
BP is a global producer of oil and gas with operations in over 70 countries. BP has a larger economic footprint in the U.S. than in any other nation, and it has invested more than $100 billion here since 2005. BP employs about 14,000 people across the U.S. and supports more than 111,000 additional jobs through all its business activities. For more information on BP in America, visit www.bp.com/us.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana:
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana has been opening doors to GREAT FUTURES for Porter and Lake County youth for 63 years! Clubs are open after school and provide great places for youth in grades K-12 to meet friends and have fun while in a safe, supervised environment. Clubs are open during holidays and in the summer. Annual membership is only $35.00. For information on membership, volunteer opportunities, or to make a tax-deductible donation, please contact your local Club by calling (219) 464-7282 or visiting bgcgreaternwi.org. Great Futures Start HERE.
