White House Historical Association Bestows Prestigious Gifts to Boys & Girls Clubs of America

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The White House Historical Association presented Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA)  with eight sterling silver plates, inlaid with 24 karat gold from their private archive, honoring the 31^st President of the United States Herbert Hoover. The plates, which were originally part of a commemorative presidential plate series developed by the Franklin Mint with the support of the Association, were presented to Ron Gidwitz, former Chairman and current member of BGCA's National Board of Governors, during a ceremony at the Association's Rubenstein Center for White House History at Historic Decatur House.

President Herbert Hoover has a special place in BGCA history, formerly Boys Clubs of America. Hoover was elected Chairman of the board in 1936 and became a lifelong advocate for children. Even in his last days, Hoover was pursuing an ambitious plan to create "A Thousand Clubs for a Million Boys." The organization has grown significantly from the Hoover era, now serving nearly 4 million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach.

"I am proud to accept these gracious gifts from the White House Historical Association on behalf of Boys & Girls Clubs of America," said Ron Gidwitz, former Chairman of BGCA's National Board of Governors. "As the longest serving member of the Board, I'm humbled to receive these historical tokens from one of our most iconic and revered former Chairmen."

The White House Historical Association supports a breadth of education programing related to White House history and shares common aspirations with BGCA. Both organizations are committed to educating young people across the country, enabling them to achieve great futures.

"President Hoover's legacy lives on in the many Clubs he helped found," said Jim Clark, President and CEO of BGCA.  "We are grateful for his dedication to America's kids, and these plates will help us to always remember and honor his contributions to our cause."

"We believe in the power of educating our nation's young people through engaging, dynamic opportunities such as those offered by Boys & Girls Clubs of America," said Stewart McLaurin, White House Historical Association President. "These commemorative President Hoover plates are a gift to BGCA that we believe makes a tremendous difference in the lives of the 4 million children they serve and look forward to building a meaningful partnership with them in the Washington, D.C. region and beyond."

To learn more about how you can help support BGCA and its mission to help kids achieve great futures, please go to www.greatfutures.org.  To learn more about the Association and its mission to preserve White House history for generations to come visit whitehousehistory.org.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America:
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,100 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at http://www.bgca.org/facebook and http://bgca.org/twitter.

About The White House Historical Association
Founded in 1961 with the support of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, the White House Historical Association is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to supporting the preservation of the White House's state and public rooms, acquisitions for the White House permanent collection, and to educating the public on the history of the White House. The Association supports its efforts, in part, through the sale of its renowned publications and select retail offerings inspired by the Executive Mansion. The Association commissions the Official White House Christmas Ornament each year honoring a U.S. president. The 2015 ornament recognizes President Calvin Coolidge and the lighting of the first National Christmas Tree. The 2016 ornament will honor President Herbert Hoover. Learn more at Twitter/Instagram: @Whitehousehstry, Facebook: /WhiteHouseHistoricalAssociation

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SOURCE Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Related Links

http://www.bgca.org