Zieglers Launch ‘One in a Million’ Effort to Help Youth
By Mike Saucier
The spark for Ellie Ziegler’s love for Boys & Girls Clubs can be traced back to Des Moines.
It was there in 1964 where her grandfather founded the first boys club. Since then, three generations of her family have worked and been passionate about the Boys & Girls Club, according to Ellie’s husband, Michael. Ellie has been a Valley resident for 43 years since moving here from Des Moines in 1974, to study at Arizona State University.
“It has been a dream to carry out part of our family’s history,” Ellie Ziegler said. “But most importantly to inspire the 21st century’s leaders and their achievements through Boys & Girls Clubs.”
The Paradise Valley couple’s commitment to the Boys & Girls Clubs runs deep.
“We just love it because we think the kids are the future of society and by visiting the clubs and meeting with the kids we see how special it is to watch them grow and we get a lot of enjoyment out of that,” said Michael Ziegler, a Long Island, New York native.
The Zieglers are now focused on helping Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale with a fundraising drive in a big way. Last summer they discussed how they could provide more access for the kids who wanted to go to the Boys & Girls Clubs – “many of whom are overcoming a lot of adversity and huge obstacles,” said Ellie Ziegler, who added she has been moved by how the clubs can transform the lives of young people.
So they came up with a challenge, which was launched by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale last month: a $1 million match fundraising challenge named “One in a Million” where every dollar contributed up to $1 million will be matched through the generosity of Ellie and Michael Ziegler, doubling the impact of each gift. The match ends in June.
The challenge’s goal is to raise $3.5 million needed to build new additions and renovate existing facilities in two Boys & Girls Clubs in Desert Ridge and Grayhawk. Both Clubs play a vital role in their communities, providing a safe place where children and teens can grow socially and academically under the guidance of positive adult mentors during vulnerable non-school hours.
“These state-of-the-art upgrades for our Thunderbirds and Vestar Branches are critical to sustaining the overall well-being of teens in our communities,” said Dr. Lisa Hurst, Chief Executive Officer, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale.
The need is there but the Zieglers can’t go it alone and are reaching out to members of the community to seek support in the campaign.
“With over 18,000 kids frequenting just the Scottsdale clubs alone we know how critical the need is,” said Ellie Ziegler. “We also knew last summer that we could not do it alone, so our hope is to engage the community and hope that they feel as passionate as we do about building gymnasiums, a tutoring computer lab and a homework facility, and kitchens and restrooms. It’s a place that provides a home away from home, which ultimately leads to better education, and I think a better life for the kids.”
The Zieglers visit some of the Scottsdale facilities and attend some of the events and said they are consistently moved by what they see.
“We’ve got to see some of the top kids who win awards and you just wouldn’t believe it,” said Michael Ziegler. “You see what they’re like at the beginning of the year and then you see their confidence level just rise and rise. At the end of the year you can’t recognize that it’s the same person. It’s very rewarding and it’s just amazing the jobs they do at the Boys & Girls Clubs.”
For more, go here: www.bgcs.org/one.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale Thunderbirds Branch 2016-2017 Youth of the Year Tatum Trainor (front), with teen Club members (from left) Marena Sever, Khang Mai and Catherin Almeida. ‘The Club is my foundation. It allowed me to be a kid when a lot of adult things were going on,’ Tatum said. Tatum is the Thunderbirds Branch 2016-2017 Youth of the Year. PHOTO CREDIT: Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale
