Boys & Girls Club of Danville Member Attends State of the State
Elijah from the Boys & Girls Club of Danville who was the Club’s Youth of the Year candidate from last year and will be again this year, was invited by Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti to be her special guest at today’s Governor’s State of the State address at the Capitol building. He attended with his parents (adoptive parents), to meet with the Lt. Governor for a private meeting, Elijah was also escorted into the gallery to hear the Governor’s speech. After the Governor’s speech he was able to meet with the Lt. Governor & others for the Governor’s private reception. Elijah along with his parents were also able to me with State Rep. Chad Hays and & Senator Bennett.
In the summer the Boys & Girls Club of Daniville had the Lt. Governor as their Signature event speaker and Elijah gave his Youth of the Year speech. Elijah along with the Executive Director Rob Gifford spoke to the Lt. Governor afterwards and asked if Elijah might have an opportunity in the future to be considered as a page and she said she would keep him in mind for that and other things. He made a great impression. Executive Director Rob Gifford got the call and the official okay for Elijah to be the Lt. Governor’s guest. Elijah and Rob spent time at the Club briefly talking about the impact of the Teen Reach grant on afterschool organizations especially BGC organizations, not having a State budget in place and that not being included in the Governor’s budget proposal. Rob told Elijah if asked or given an opportunity to discuss it, just naturally talk about how important it has been in helping to shape him into the person he is today. Elijah did get the opportunity to meet with the Governor Rauner along with Lt. Governor Sanquinetti, Representative Chad Hays and Senator Scott Bennett.
