Boys & Girls Club Beneficiary of Perlmutter's work

With agencies across the nation seeking federal funds, Congressman Ed Perlmutter knows the value of investing in today's youth.

"My No. 1 request was for the Boys and Girls Club," Perlmutter said during a ceremony at the Civic Center. "I know there are many ways in which it can work to change young peoples' lives."

Perlmutter, a member of the House Financial Services Committee, has secured $170,000 in federal funds for a local Boys & Girls Club and made the official announcement Monday.

"Any time I can use the 'power of the purse' to make a community better -- that's what it's for," he said.

Perlmutter said he has received requests for financial aid from a variety of agencies, among them Fitzsimmons Army Base and VA hospitals. He put the request to help the Boys & Girls Clubs at the top of his list. He said the money for the club is for "the design and planning phase" of building a local Boys & Girls Club facility.

"It is the seed to get things going" Perlmutter said. "It's grass-roots funding and I am excited about this opportunity for Commerce City. Being in Congress, one of the most rewarding things in life is to be able to help with projects like this."

Steve McConahey, chairman of the board for the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Denver, said the money will serve as the catalyst for building a local chapter.

"It will take a lot of work to get from where we are today to where we want to be," McConahey said, "but what makes it work is the groundswell of local support and partners."

McConahey said the current program at Kearney Middle School serves about 60 children; the goal with a new local chapter is to involve 250-300 youth.

"We can build a building, but it's what goes on in the building that makes it worthwhile," he said.

Traci Snyder, acting mayor pro tem for the city, presented Perlmutter with a framed picture of an eagle in flight and credited him with championing the project.

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News & Politics

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• Commerce
• City
• Colorado
• Ed
• Perlmutter
• Boys
• Girls
• Club