Teachers Assn. Donates $3,500 to Boys & Girls Club of Menifee

From left: John Whann, Sue Kristjansson, Brenda Myers, MaryAnn Jacobs, Jim Gammill, Bill Zimmerman. (Photo by Neil Kristjansson)

The Menifee Teachers Association showed its support of the Boys & Girls Club of Menifee this week by presenting club officials with a donation check in the amount of $3,560.91.

MaryAnn Jacobs, president; Brenda Myers, vice president; and Jim Gammill, treasurer for the MTA, joined Sue Kristjansson, board chair; Bill Zimmerman, board member; and John Whann, the newly hired executive director of the Boys and Girls Club, for the presentation on April 21.

The MTA was established originally to offer support to candidates for School Board who shared the MTA's passion for helping kids in the community and to address the stringent reporting requirements that often make it difficult for candidates to accept or request donations. The board decided to donate its remaining funds to an organization with views in alignment with theirs.

"Many of our members have been long-time supporters of Boys & Girls Club, me included," Jacobs said during the presentation. "We are familiar with the good works done by your organization and are proud that we have the opportunity to donate our funds to you."

Kristjansson and Zimmerman, initial board members of the club, said they are thrilled to have the MTA’s backing, both financial and emotional.

"First the overwhelming support of the Menifee Union School District Board of Trustees and now the Menifee Teachers Association ... I feel like we are destined to be successful in serving the kids and families in Menifee with all of these like-minded people behind us," said Kristjansson.

Whann promised the group, "We’re going to do great things for the families of Menifee."

The Boys & Girls Club of Menifee Valley is expected to open this summer. It is based in the former Menifee Elementary School on Garbani Road.