Boys & Girls Club honor local volunteers
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee recently award Christopher Abele, president and CEO of the Argosy Foundation with its annual Most Valuable Person Award for his community involvement and service to children in Milwaukee. Abele is a member of the Clubs’ Board of Trustees and served as its past Chair. In addition, he plays an instrumental role in the strategic planning and implementation of Decade of Hope – the Clubs’ progressive and comprehensive 10-year plan to help address the problems plaguing Milwaukee’s youth. Tommy Walls Jr, the Northwestern Mutual Foundation Youth of the Year, was also honored for his contributions to his family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as for the personal challenges and obstacles he has overcome. The Boys & Girls Clubs also recognized the following organizations and individuals for their dedication to improving the lives of Milwaukee’s young people:
- Fox Sports Wisconsin received the Fred F. Loock Memorial Award for helping Milwaukee’s youth live richer and fuller lives through its actions and deeds.
- Time Warner Cable received the Key Award, for its exemplary community service.
- Jamie Burrell, a long time volunteer of Augusta LaVarnway Boys & Girls Club received Annabell Cook Whitcomb Award.
- Lisa Manvilla, manager of the Don & Sallie Davis Boys & Girls Club received the Irving J Seher Award
Southeastern Youth & Family Services executive director to retire after 37 years
John Molenaar, founding executive director of Southeastern Youth & Family Services, Inc. has announced he will retire. Under Molenaar’s leadership, Southeastern has served well over 5,500 children, at-risk youth and their families since 1973.
“The Board of Directors truly appreciates John’s dedication and leadership since Southeastern’s inception in 1973. Throughout the years he remained committed to Southeastern’s caring approach through its motto: Children are Our Concern,” said board president David Perhach. “Without his compassion and concern the lives of many young people would be a lot different today! We wish him well as he looks forward to a much-deserved retirement after 37 years.”
Molenaar’s retirement date is June 30.
According to Perhach a transition plan has been developed and a search committee has been formed to recruit a new executive director.
Molenaar was hired in 1973 as the first executive director for Southeastern Youth & Family Services.
Penfield Children’s Center recently added John Worthington, senior executive vice president of Kohl’s Department Stores and John Schaub, advertising and creative services manager for Robert W. Baird to its board of directors.
