Boys and Girls Clubs Now Sporting Holiday Looks
DULUTH, Minn. — We might not have snow yet, but that doesn’t mean people are not getting into the Christmas spirit.
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Duluth were turned into places of holiday joy this afternoon. At least two great things came about Friday afternoon. One is that the kids did not find out about the redecorating until they walked in late in the afternoon. Another great thing is that it was all the work was completed by volunteers. Employees of Minnesota Power and Allete were able to display their inner elf and do their version of a makeover. The clubs are thankful and said that they rely so much on the community to make this happen.
The CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs Todd Johnson said, “We couldn’t do what we do without the support of local businesses and individuals, and Minnesota Power has been an outstanding partner for many, many years. And so, it means the world to us. We don’t have a huge budget for these types of things. So, it gets these people out of their offices. They get to spend some time here at the club doing something fun spending time with our kids. So it’s a win-win, but obviously, the kids are going to be the biggest winners.”
Johnson also said the Duluth Club actually started in a Minnesota Power building in 1971. When the kids walked into the building Friday and the volunteers saw their reactions they said it was almost like watching a Christmas morning. Amy Rutledge, Director of Corporate Communications for Allete and Minnesota Power summed up the volunteer’s feelings, “I just can’t tell you, how meaningful it was to see the kids walk in, and they were just so surprised to see their place where they come and hang out every day literally transformed into a winter wonderland.”
The magic not only happened at the Lincoln Park location but also at the Dave Goldberg branch on 30th Avenue West. The afternoon was a chance for the kids and volunteers to enjoy some games, share some laughs, and have some sweet treats as the countdown to Christmas continues.
