Courtesy photo.
VENTURA COUNTY — The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme is a few steps closer to reaching its goal of raising $5 Million to meet its comprehensive campaign goals, thanks to a generous donation made by the Gene Haas Foundation.
The Believe in Our Next Generation Comprehensive Campaign aims to raise $5 million to fulfill BGCOP’s needs for site upgrades, expanded technology resources, STEAM centers, and sustaining resources required to fully respond to the needs of youth in its community of service. The Club now has only $1.3 million dollars left to raise by June 30 and is on track to succeed.
Gene Haas, founder and CEO of Haas Automation, a machine tool builder located in Oxnard, believes that engineering and manufacturing students are the future workers of Ventura County. This $500,000 challenge gift to the BGCOP campaign will go towards new technology and new steam innovation centers that will prepare kids for the careers of tomorrow.
“We are grateful for the support we have received from the community as we get closer to reaching our campaign goal,” said Erin Antrim, chief executive officer, BGCOP. “The Gene Haas Foundation has been beneficial to helping us provide for our Club members and enhance their lives with the tools they need to succeed for the future. We appreciate their continued support and the impact it has on our members.”
The money raised for the comprehensive campaign will go towards new STEAM centers, facility and technology upgrades and the creation of an endowment. The STEAM centers (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) will have 3D-printing, robotics, horticulture, engineering, and micro-credentials in STEAM areas available for members. The Martin V. Smith Youth Center, the Harriet H. Samuelsson Teen Center, and Port Hueneme Branch—buildings owned by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard & Port Hueneme—will receive facility upgrades, as will the Squires Unit location, and the Nyeland Acres Center to ensure these children have the same opportunities as Club members in other neighborhoods. Lastly, BGCOP will build an endowment focusing on planned gifts so the interest can sustain and expand programs for the future.
There are still opportunities for additional community support to ensure the Club’s programs and facilities will have a lasting, positive impact on generations to come. Anyone wishing to make a donation can visit the Boys & Girls Clubs’ website (http://www.BGCOP.org) where you can donate or make your pledge.
If you have questions or would like to learn more about the comprehensive campaign and how you can donate, please contact Andrew Peake, Director of Advancement by phone at 805.815.4959 ext. 204 or email apeake@bgcop.org