Imagine trying to fundraise $10 million for a new Boys & Girls Club facility. Now imagine fundraising during two recessions and a pandemic. It’s happening right now in Maine.

The fundraising campaign for the new Boys & Girls Club of the Kennebec Valley in Gardiner has been going on since 2008. The Great Recession stifled those efforts, but the club restarted the fundraising in recent years, then another recession and a global pandemic hit, so asking donors for money has been challenging. The club is grateful for the support from the thousands of people and businesses — big and small — across Maine and beyond that have donated so far. The donations have helped the club focus on the No. 1 priority: The kids.

It was a year ago that COVID-19 changed our world, our state, and how the Boys & Girls Club would need to pivot to continue to serve children, teens, and seniors during the pandemic. At the same time, it has also shined the spotlight on the importance of the club for the entire region.

During the pandemic, the club has served 67% of families that have essential workers. The club has provided free meals for seniors and provided a place for teens to gather, while staying socially distant.

Today, it is really hard for teachers not to be able to hug or give a high-five to a child like they normally would. It’s also difficult to see a child’s smile through a mask, but ask the teachers and staff at the club and they will tell you: They see the children smile through their eyes. It’s that feeling that has propelled them working overtime, learning new skills, helping with remote learning, and so much more.

There is no doubt: Daily operations have changed due to the economic hardships resulting from COVID-19, but the mission, vision, and goal of the club have not wavered. The families across the region will always need a safe place to send their children — now more than ever. For our thousands of community members and dozens of hard-working staff, the current building at 14 Pray St. has reached the end of its useful life and requires much needed attention.

The new building will serve 25% more families and be designed to handle another pandemic, which the current 68-year-old building was never meant to do. Built right next to the current building, it will continue to benefit the region as a safe place for kids to grow and seniors to socialize. The facility and new program offerings will fuel our economy and our local community.

Club staff members are major assets and some of the most kind, caring, and compassionate people you will ever meet. They have been masking up and buckling down throughout the pandemic. As a community, we cannot thank them enough for the work they are doing, but what we can do is donate to support them and their life-changing work.

As a business owner, it’s important that I see a return on every investment I make. An investment in the club is an investment in our young people, especially those who need us most. I see an opportunity to encourage children to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. The next “club kid” could be a future employee for your company, a future mentor for your child, a future legislator, or even our next president.

Before COVID-19, I would often visit the club and I am always inspired by the work they are doing. As stimulus checks and tax refunds come in, if you can share any love, I ask you to please consider making an investment in the new Boys & Girls Club of the Kennebec Valley. It is a gift that will outlast any recession or pandemic.

Peter Prescott is the chief executive officer of Team EJP in Gardiner.

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