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Teachable Moments

Donor Stories: Jack McGraw Moves Boys Town’s Mission Forward

September 18th, 2015     By Boys Town Contributor

Healing Families, Saving Children

As a Leader and Advocate, Jack McGraw Moves Boys Town’s Mission Forward

Jack McGraw was wearing a football uniform and playing for Omaha (NE) Creighton Prep High School when he had his first close encounter with the young men of Boys Town in 1947.

He could not have known then that while he played against Boys Town’s football team that day, he would someday be part of Boys Town’s child and family care team as one of its most dedicated supporters.

A Steady Hand During Milestone Changes at Boys Town
In 2002, a close friend, Catherine Mellen, asked McGraw to take her place on the Boys Town Board of Trustees when she ended her second three-year term the following year.

Over his two three-year terms, McGraw provided a steady hand as Boys Town experienced several milestone changes in its operations and leadership, including the transfer of the chairmanship from the Archbishop of the Omaha Diocese to one of the lay Board members and the hiring of Father Steven Boes as Boys Town’s fifth Executive Director.

McGraw also was active in major fundraising efforts like mail campaigns and in contacting potential Boys Town donors. “It’s good to resurrect the feelings that there are good places that take care of kids and that people should support them,” he said.

Even though his direct Board involvement ended in 2009, McGraw has made it a point to stay informed about Boys Town’s progress and plans for the future. He has visited Boys Town California several times, and is pleased that the Career Readiness Center in the Village of Boys Town, Nebraska, is being expanded so students can gain hands-on experience in trades and skilled-labor careers they may want to pursue. And he is excited that Boys Town will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2017, noting that it will ignite even more interest in how Boys Town has changed the landscape of child and family care.

“Boys Town gives kids the feeling of being in a real home,” he said. “Family is the absolute definition of what Boys Town is about.”

See how you can get involved like Jack and help further Boys Town’s mission!

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