Indiana American Water has donated nearly two acres of land to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana. The lot, valued at more than $130,000, is adjacent to South Haven Boys & Girls Club on what is now the north end of the Club’s property and previously housed the South Haven water tank.
Prior to being acquired by Indiana American Water in 1999, Northwest Indiana Water Company acquired the South Haven system as part of a 1995 acquisition of Utility Services Corp in 1995. After Indiana American Water constructed a new, larger tank in Portage at a higher elevation to provide better water pressure and improved flow throughout the distribution system, the South Haven water tank was no longer needed and demolished in 2019.
Citing the work Boys & Girls Clubs does in the community, Indiana American Water President Matt Prine said the donation was an exciting opportunity for a partnership. “Being a good neighbor and giving back to our partner communities is a core part of who we are as a company,” Prine said. “The removal of a water tank at this site last year that was no longer needed gave us a great opportunity to partner with the South Haven Club to give them room to expand. We’re pleased to be able to support Boys & Girls Clubs in the important work they are doing with young people in northwest Indiana.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana President & CEO Ryan Smiley thanked Indiana American Water and said the land would offer the organization some versatility in how it can best serve South Haven youth.
“We’re so grateful to Indiana American Water for their generosity. These community partnerships help our organization grow and expand,” Smiley said. “This donation opens up some possibilities for us, whether that may be a multi-sports field, a playground, or a possible building expansion in the future. Our Club needed outdoor green space to program, and this is an important part of how we are able to continue serving South Haven Club members and this community.”
About Indiana American Water
Indiana American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 1.34 million people. With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 6,800 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to 15 million people in 46 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to make sure we keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit amwater.com and follow American Water on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
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. Annual membership is only $40.00. For information on membership, volunteer opportunities, or to make a tax-deductible donation, please contact your local Club by calling (219) 764-2582 or visiting bgcgreaternwi.org. Great Futures Start HERE.
