Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana Makes it a Christmas to Remember for Local Youth

PORTAGE, IND. – Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana (BGCGNWI)
hosted an evening of holiday fun during their Christmas to Remember event last night.
Now in its sixth year, the event is an opportunity for 500 kids across the organization’s
10 Clubs to come together and experience the excitement of the holidays by meeting
Santa, opening gifts, and enjoying dinner together. Many come from families for whom a
Christmas like this would otherwise not be possible.
“The holiday season is a wonderful time of year for many, but for some families it
accentuates the difficulties they face,” shared Mike Jessen, president & CEO of
BGCGNWI. “It’s an honor to support our kids in a way that not only lightens their load
but fills them with pure joy and excitement. This event is one of the many ways we uplift
our youth and show them that with a little magic and belief, anything is possible.”
The event is made possible by the community coming together to sponsor wish lists,
shop for and wrap gifts. Shoppers work from a handwritten list and “Dear Santa” letter
written by each child. Common wish list items include warm winter clothes, dolls, and
sports equipment.
Presenting sponsors include Centier Bank and Werner Christmas Wonderland.
"Centier Bank is proud to sponsor Christmas to Remember for another year, reinforcing
our commitment to enriching young lives and fostering a brighter, better future. This
celebration symbolizes the power of partnership with Boys and Girls Clubs and the
nurturing support of a 'village of hope,' uniting our community to uplift and empower our
children. The event felt like a heartwarming family gathering, with children excitedly
sharing stories of their wish lists and joyfully celebrating their gifts with deep

appreciation. It was truly a remarkable and unforgettable experience for everyone
involved," said Dakita Jones, Vice President of Community Relations at Centier Bank.
David Werner’s efforts began with an over-the-top Christmas decoration display at his
home that drew so many visitors, he decided to post a toy collection box to benefit local
children. From there, his efforts have expanded to 41 toy collection sites throughout
Northwest Indiana; the 2023 collection yielded enough toys to fill a 16-foot box truck to
capacity.
“When you look at these kids and see the happiness on their faces, it’s rewarding
because you know you’re giving a child something they might not have,” said Daniel
Werner, creator of Werner Christmas Wonderland. “I watched a girl open a pair of boots
and start crying, and it really pulls on your heartstrings. The reason we do this is we
want to pay it forward. I’m all about paying it forward any way I can, and if we can do
more, we’ll do more.”
To see photos from the event, visit BGCGNWI’s Facebook page at
facebook.com/bgcgreaternwi
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana:
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana has been opening doors to GREAT
FUTURES for Porter and Lake County youth for over 60 years. Clubs are open after
school and provide great places for youth in grades K-12 to meet friends and have fun
while in a safe, supervised environment. Clubs are open during holidays and in the
summer. For information on membership, volunteer opportunities, or to donate, contact
(219) 764-2582 or visit bgcgreaternwi.org.