Roger Preis, of Burlington, VT, has been named a 2018 Maytag Dependable Leader Award winner for his demonstrated dedication to keeping youth on the path to achieve great futures. The award recognizes Boys & Girls Club staff and volunteers who are committed to making a difference as dependable and exceptional role models. Through a national partnership, Maytag brand and Boys & Girls Clubs of America selected Preis as one of only two winners nationwide to receive this year’s distinction, which includes a $20,000 financial grant for Boys & Girls Club of Burlington. The grant will be used to provide Club members with paid internships for them to develop skills that will help them to be successful in the workforce. Preis was nominated for the award by Tanya Benosky, Executive Director for Boys & Girls Club of Burlington.
“Roger has made a remarkably positive impact on Boys & Girls Club of Burlington, since he joined our Board of Directors in 2005,” said Benosky. “He has led steady efforts to improve our organization’s education development services, which is perfectly aligned with our mission to prepare our members for academic success and great futures.”
Preis began his commitment to Boys & Girls Clubs members—many of whom face difficult circumstances—40 years ago at a Boys & Girls Club in Stamford, Conn. He exhibits an unparalleled passion for youth development and strives to provide educational tools and resources to those who experience hardships at no fault to their own. Preis understands that without outside intervention the likelihood is high for a vast number of Club members to continue down a path not designed to reach full potential.
“Roger exemplifies what it means to be a Dependable Leader”, continued Benosky. “Our Club has been transformed in his tenure. With his family and business, he has a very full life. But, he always has time for the Club. He’s led the way in fundraising efforts that make our work possible. He secured a gift that made it possible for us to award college scholarships to our Club members, and he’s become a mentor and friend to many of us along the way.”
Prior to Preis joining Boys & Girls Club of Burlington, no members were headed to college. Today there are more than 30 members currently enrolled.
“The Maytag Dependable Leader Award allows Maytag brand to give back to Boys & Girls Club staff and volunteers across the country who give tirelessly to their local communities,” said Rosa Keszler, Community Relations Senior Specialist at Whirlpool Corp. “It is our honor to recognize Roger Preis for his exceptional efforts and support for the Boys & Girls Club of Burlington.”
With a heritage of dependability dating back more than 100 years, the Maytag brand mission is to build high-performing and dependable products. Boys & Girls Clubs dependably serve youth, enabling them to reach their full potential as high-performing adults. The partnership between Maytag and Boys & Girls Clubs of America seeks to recognize and promote dependability – a quality that is at the core of what the Clubs do every day and is central to Maytag brand. Through its partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Maytag has donated more than five million dollars to local Clubs in the last seven years.
About Maytag Brand
For more than a century, Maytag brand appliances have been synonymous with dependability and durability. Through the commitment of Whirlpool Corporation, Maytag brand’s enduring tradition of quality production and powerful performance continues to thrive. Exceptionally durable, commercial-grade components are found in many Maytag brand appliances – including Maytag® front-load and top-load washers and dryers, featuring the PowerWash® Cycle, as well as Maytag® dishwashers with the PowerBlast® Cycle. Maytag is also a reliable partner to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in their effort to support communities across America and help young people achieve great futures. Maytag brand is part of Whirlpool Corporation, the world's leading global manufacturer of home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $21 billion in 2017, 92,000 employees, and 70 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. For more information on Maytag, please visit Maytag.com or find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Maytag or Twitter at @MaytagBrand or @TheMaytagMan. Additional information about the company can be found at Whirlpoolcorp.com.
About Boys & Girls Club of Burlington
Boys & Girls Club of Burlington provides a safe, supportive and educational environment for more than 1,000 youth in our community. The Club serves all children but especially those who need us most. The Club offers year-round programming during out of school hours in three core areas: Health & Athletics; Career Readiness & Life Skills; and Arts & Technology. Every day, 250 Club members come to the Club for food, community, homework help, tutoring, and positive adult mentoring all within the safety of three sites in the Old North End of Burlington.