Midvale Boys & Girls Club recognizes contributions of City and Mayor
May 08, 2017 04:27PM ● By Travis BartonBy Ruth Hendricks | [email protected]
March 27 through 31 was national Boys & Girls Club week. This annual celebration was established to recognize the valuable service that the clubs provide to communities, and to acknowledge the support the clubs receive from the public.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Salt Lake is made up of 11 club locations in Salt Lake and Tooele counties. Recognition ceremonies were held throughout the week at each location to honor organizations and individuals based on outstanding philanthropic projects and support.
On Thursday, March 30, the Midvale Boys & Girls Club held its ceremony. On that rainy day, visitors arriving at the club, located next to Midvale City Park, were greeted by several enthusiastic girls who came running out to offer an umbrella escort to the doors.
Speaking to an assembly of several hundred children and visitors, David Leimsieder, area director of the club, said, “Boys and girls, one of the really important reasons why we award our community members is that without these community members we wouldn’t have the Boys and Girls club.”
Leimsieder, speaking to Mayor JoAnn Seghini, estimated that more than 7,000 youth in the Salt Lake valley have benefited from the services of the Midvale Boys & Girls Club over the past 16 years. This year, he said, the club has more than 800 members, with more expected during the summer.
“One of the reasons why we’re able to do this is because of the support of the city,” he said.
“It is my honor and pleasure to recognize the city of Midvale for their consistent support for the Boys and Girls Club programs, making it possible for each and every one of you to have a great place to come after school,” said Leimsieder, as he presented a plaque to Seghini, who accepted it on behalf of the city of Midvale.
After presenting the award, Leimsieder continued, telling the crowd that he had a second award to give.
“We want to also recognize an individual. You may not know that Mayor Seghini was in the City Council before she became mayor, and early on she was a great supporter of the Boys and Girls Clubs. We are very appreciative of Mayor Seghini and everything that she has done. So, this year we are also going to honor Dr. JoAnn Seghini as community partner of year for 2017.”
Seghini accepted her award and addressed the audience.
“I was here when they dug the first shovel full of dirt for the Boys and Girls Club of Midvale. We worked with many people in the community, and with the Boys and Girls Club in the south valley. We felt like you all needed a home away from home that could help you grow up to be strong.”
“You will be the leaders in the future,” Seghini continued. “The Boys and Girls Club is a wonderful organization that makes a difference in your life, and it makes a difference in my life, too, because you are going to take over and lead the city of Midvale and the community as you learn how to work and to be strong.”
Midvale City was proactive in the past when the club couldn’t pay the bills. Seghini asked Laurie Harvey, Midvale assistant city manager, to explain what happened.
Harvey said that seven or eight years ago the Club was having difficulty paying for operations, so the City Council and Mayor approved the purchase of the Club.
“So, Midvale City purchased the building and leased it back to the Boys and Girls Club at a rate that was affordable so that the club could continue operating. The Mayor and City Council also appropriates $20,000 per year of city funding to help keep it going. So, you have a lot of support from the Midvale City elected officials.”
Prompted by Leimsieder, the assembled kids shouted a chorus of “thank you” and applauded Seghini.