The new year is off to a great start for local youth! GAF, North America’s largest roofing manufacturer, recently made a $50,000 donation to support Boys & Girls Clubs of La Porte County’s (BGCLPC) Great Futures Capital Campaign.

BGCLPC is a nonprofit youth development organization providing afterschool programming at 8 locations throughout Michigan City, La Porte, Westville and Kingsford Heights, in addition to a popular full-day summer camp. All services are offered free of charge to help ensure they are accessible to the children and families who need them most.

The Great Futures Capital Campaign supports BGCLPC’s multi-phased expansion plans, which include adding additional Clubs in new areas of La Porte County and constructing a custom-designed Boys & Girls Club facility in Michigan City. BGCLPC’s long-term goal is to roughly triple the number of children served annually to 1,500.

“GAF is a true partner in every sense of the word,” says Michelle Shirk, BGCLPC Chief Executive Officer. “They understand the work we do, and the importance of investing in our community’s youth. We are deeply grateful for their comprehensive support of our Clubs, the children we serve and our Great Futures Capital Campaign. The impact of this generous gift will be seen for generations to come!”

GAF has been a proud member of the Michigan City community for more than 20 years and is committed to supporting the greater La Porte County area. The company has partnered with BGCLPC for the past several years, supporting initiatives ranging from afterschool snacks to the Blue Bash gala. Each summer, GAF employees can be found at the Westcott Club, getting their hands dirty while helping Club members design and create their own tie-dye T-shirts - a Boys & Girls Club tradition! This effort is part of GAF’s social impact initiative, GAF Community Matters , which is focused on making a positive difference as neighbors and partners in the community by leveraging roofing expertise, resources and products to help build resilient communities.

“At GAF, we believe that our purpose is to protect what matters most. The products we manufacture protect homes and businesses across the nation, but that’s just the beginning,” said Matt Hannon, GAF Michigan City Plant Manager. “We believe that we have a larger responsibility to support our employees, our customers, and our communities and we are proud to partner with the Boys & Girls Clubs of La Porte County to help make a meaningful impact.”