The Boys & Girls Club of the Mississippi Valley painted the town red last week as it hosted its Blue Jeans for Blue Doors fundraiser at the downtown Moline club.
With nearly 250 supporters, staff, board members, and club kids and their families gathered Thursday, May 15, at the Ontiveros Youth Center, the celebration raised an estimated $85,000 for the organization’s mission and programming.
The Boys & Girls Club is located at 1122 5th Ave., across from Mercado on Fifth.
Guests and the club’s own tight-knit family enjoyed a party atmosphere with games, live music, food trucks, live and silent auction and tours of the center, which serves young children as well as teenagers.
“You have seen the impact of the after-school and summer programming here and beyond the blue doors,” Boys & Girls Club CEO Torri Smith told the crowd gathered in the spacious second-floor teen center before the outdoor party commenced.
“Our mission to empower youth to reach their highest potential by providing safe spaces and transformative experiences is unstoppable.”
Ms. Smith, who regularly referred to “the kiddos” the club serves, said the staff and volunteer mentors along with the support of donors, the community and local businesses all help it provide a world-class experience for the youth who cross its doors.
“Our genuine and caring adult mentors provide a supportive environment for young people to learn and thrive,” she said.
The Boys & Girls Club’s influence in the kiddos’ lives, she added, helps open doors to lifelong success through its activities, mentoring, homework help, guidance and more. In fact, she said “94% of our youth and teens expect to graduate from high school. That is above the national average of 87%.”
Future Ready youth
Blue Jeans for Blue Doors also was a celebration of the community partners whose support helps the club remain focused on ensuring its youth are Future Ready.
Ms. Smith presented the 2025 Champion of Hope Award to Modern Woodmen of America, a national fraternal financial services organization based in downtown Rock Island. The award, now in its second year, recognizes a corporation or individual that has demonstrated exceptional commitment and dedication to the club’s mission. Accepting the award was Modern Woodmen’s Jeff Bach. He also serves on the Boys & Girls Club Board of Directors.
The program also included Outstanding Club Alumni Javier Gonzalez, who credits some of his success to the Boys & Girls Club he attended in Ames, Iowa. He shared part of his journey with the crowd. Now married and the father of two sons, he served 12 years as a U.S. Army combat medic, including two tours in the Middle East.
Guests also watched as the club debuted its video, Welcome to the Good Life. It showcases a day in the life of the club, its mission and the fun and learning kiddos enjoy everyday.
Afterwards, Brian Laufenberg, a club board member and CEO of the Moline-based IHMVCU, addressed the crowd – many of whom were at the center for their first time. “What makes the Boys and Girls Club unique is the relationships we have here. The relationships between the staff and kids here is like our own community,” he said. He added that those connections help bolster the club’s programming.
All about giving back
IHMVCU was the presenting sponsor of Blue Jeans for Blue Doors. Other supporters included: Wrangler Sponsors, Estes Construction, Thoms Family Giving, GreenState Credit Union, Quad City Bank & trust, United Healthcare, Hazelwood Homes and VanDerGinst Law; Table sponsors, Whitey’s, Legat Architects, Group O, IMEG, DuTrac Community Credit Union; and Levi Sponsor, Bally’s Quad Cities. Also sponsoring the event were: Modern Woodmen, WQAD, Quad Cities Regional Business Journal.
Mr. Laufenberg, the nonprofit’s 2023 chairman, said the intent behind the open house and fundraiser also was to invite the community into its Blue Doors and “see what we’re all about.”
But the credit union he leads needs no introduction. IHMVCU staff are quite familiar – and involved – with the work of the Boys & Girls Club. Its staff are and have been on club board members, donors, regularly volunteer there, and mentor the youth.
“The credit union is all about giving back to the community and their needs,” he said, stressing how critical it is that all youth are given opportunities that help them grow.
Mission is unstoppable
“Giving them that jumpstart is very important to me,” said Mr. Laufenberg, who brought along one of the credit union’s board members, Megan Early, to see the youth center.
“I knew it would be something (to see). I see this as a great benefit to the community,” she told the QCBJ, admitting how the video made her a little teary-eyed. “It’s just amazing what this can do for the kids.”
Ms. Smith, the club’s CEO, acknowledged the uncertainty of today’s world, but repeated “Our mission is unstoppable.”
The evening, much like the club itself, aims to build a stronger Quad Cities by helping today’s youth reach their highest potential and become the leaders of tomorrow.
“The Quad Cities community needs club kids,” she said. “The arts need club kids, science needs club kids, sports need club kids, leadership needs club kids, innovation needs club kids and math needs club kids.”
“Help us open doors to great futures,” Ms. Smith said. “Tonight, we are building a stronger, better, and bolder Quad Cities community.”
