There was reason to party at the Boys & Girls Club in Portage, thanks was a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the renovations that were generously provided by NIPSCO. One of the gyms was renovated with a brand new floor, and both gyms along with the common room got a fresh coat of paint! “The floor was only 15 years old,” explained Cathie Dull, Assistant Director of Resource Development for the Boys & Girls Club of Porter County, “but after 200 kids use it every day, it gets worn down.”
The renovation project was actually brought up by NIPSCO’s Public Affairs Manager, Rick Calinski. “I got together with Mr. Leer and asked him, ‘what can we do for you’? NIPSCO is always looking for ways to reach out to communities, but we wanted to do something different that made a lasting impression. Mr. Leer looked at me and said, ‘we need a new gym floor’, then I asked if the NIPSCO logo could be on it. He said yes, so I said ‘Done’.”
From start to finish, the project took about eight months. Mark James, Director of Information Systems and Facilities Management, who has been with the Boys & Girls Club for twenty years, coordinated the entire project. “It took two days to replace the floor and paint,” he said. “First, the old floor was removed by volunteers from the Home Depot. Waste Management came and took the old floor to be used as recycled material. Then the new floor came in from a company in Utah.”
Volunteers from NIPSCO and the Boys & Girls club came in and did all of the painting. “We ended up painting about 5000 square feet,” Mark said, smiling. When asked how he liked the finished product, “Oh yeah! It’s great!” he responded instantly, “Fantastic!”
Chuck Leer, President of the Boys & Girls Club of Porter County, shared in Marks sentiments. “It’s really neat to see it all come together and to see all the volunteers who came to help.”
Chuck’s wife, Patty Leer, was all smiles as she sat in the bleachers in the newly renovated gym. All four of her sons were a part of the Boys & Girls Club at one time, so this event hit close to home for her. “It’s really neat for the community. And the kids are so well behaved.”
There was a heart-warming and playful air to the whole ceremony. The kids as well as adults were genuinely happy to be there and witness this special happening. Portage Mayor James Snyder warmly summed it up perfectly during his speech. “The city of Portage is grateful.”
After the ribbon was cut, NIPSCO’s generous gift got its first use. A rousing game of Knockout was played to officially “break in” the new floor. It was Team NIPSCO versus Team Boys & Girls Club. It was positively intense. Even the Mayor got into the game and showed off his skills.
Afterward, pizza and chocolate cake were served to the eagerly awaiting crowd. There was even a snow cone machine and a cotton candy machine! It was a memorable and special time as everyone munched and chatted away. After witnessing the grateful smiles on the children’s faces and the comradery that was so palpable between all in attendance at the ceremony, one cannot help but be moved. This is an example of what happens when generosity does NOT go unnoticed.