A $1 million donation has kick-started the Boys & Girls Club of Elgin’s plans to convert the former South Elgin public works building into a clubhouse for K-8 students.
The organization announced this weekend that Wayne-based Wisdom Family Foundation made the million-dollar contribution toward their $4.25 million fundraising goal and would receive clubhouse naming rights as a result.
“It’s extremely inspirational to see this happen,” Boys & Girls Club of Elgin’s President/CEO Cathy Russell said. “When you have an idea like this and start a project like this, you worry whether it can become a reality. While there is still pressure to raise all that money, it is encouraging to have this start.”
Russell said the goal is to bring in more than $4 million by the end of the 2019-20 school year, enough to fund the project’s construction and operational costs. If all goes according to plan, the facility could open in early 2021.
The Wisdom Family Foundation has worked closely with the Boys & Girls Club of Elgin for years, said founder/chief association executive Kristi Wisdom, who also serves on the club’s board.
“They so closely align with our mission of working with children and families, particularly at-risk children,” Wisdom said.
It’s hoped the donation will motivate others to contribute and strengthen potential donor leads for the project, she said.
Among the Wisdom foundation’s philanthropic efforts are scholarships for School District U46 students and assistance to support Feeding Greater Elgin and South Elgin High School boosters program. They’re planning to start a Christmas Wishes campaign to provide gifts and holiday meals for as many as 100 families.
The donation announcement surprised many who attended Great Futures Gala, the Boys & Girls Club of Elgin’s annual fundraiser held Saturday.
“The village of South Elgin is excited about the prospect of partnering with the Boys & Girls Club to serve our residents,” South Elgin Village Administrator Steve Super said in a news release. “The club does such a great job of helping youth find the right path in life. What could be more important than that?”
School District U46 CEO Tony Sanders, who did not attend the gala, said he learned of the $1 million donation Monday. The district works closely with the organization, which opened a satellite location at U46’s Ridge Circle Elementary School in Streamwood in 2018, the first outside Elgin.
“(The donation) can only do good things for them,” Sanders said.
Once completed, the 20,000-square-foot clubhouse on Martin Drive will feature a gym, kitchen, cafeteria, learning center, conference space and garden. It will be large enough to accommodate 250 children in grades K-8 from Clinton, Willard, Fox Meadow and Harriet Gifford elementary schools and Kenyon Woods Middle School.
raguerrero@tribpub.com
