Local supporter of the Boys and Girls Club of Parkersburg, Dick Warner contributed initial funds of $2,500 in 2002 to begin the building of a permanent endowment fund for the Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg. He hoped that others who see the valuable work of the Boys and Girls Club in Parkersburg would join in supporting this new fund so that it could build to the point where it would significantly benefit the organization, which serves as “the positive place for kids” in our community.

The local Boys and Girls Club opened in late May of 1964 with the mission of providing a safe haven for children and helping any child between the ages of 7-18 from disadvantaged circumstances. Over the past thirty-eight years, the Club has continued to expand and develop its offerings for area youth.

Boys and Girls Club Executive Director at the time of the fund's creation, Mike Flanagan, said that, “We’re really excited about the opportunity that this new fund opens up for us. Having an agency endowment with the Foundation helps the Boys and Girls Club of Parkersburg demonstrate its intention to be around for a long time and provides us with another stable funding source. It will enable us to meet our mission better in the long-run and help us to sustain our organization and the services that we provide for local youth in this community.”

Mike added that, “I’m very pleased to hear that Dick was the one to start up this endowment for us, with a contribution to honor his parents. Ruth and Bill Warner, were great folks who always had a kind word for others. I remember getting a note from his mother when I first was selected for this job. It was really encouraging. I always appreciated Ruth and Bill’s support. And, Ruth was the epitome of a social worker – she always put her ‘heart and soul’ into helping local kids.”