Miles
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- Mar 18, 2019
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The reopening completes the first phase of a two-phase renovation project that was approved by Denver Broncos Charities and board president Joe Ellis in December.
"We had [an] incredibly successful fundraising year and finally had the ability to do so at the highest level that we wanted to," said Executive Director of Community Development Allie Engelken. "So instead of $5,000 here or $10,000 here, we really worked toward the full overhaul."
Funding the club has been a primary function for the Broncos' charitable arm since the club was founded in 2003. Pat Bowlen, the Broncos' late owner, championed the cause of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver and, under his leadership, the Broncos became the first pro sports team to fully fund a Boys & Girls Club chapter. Five years later, the club expanded with the Darrent Williams Memorial Teen Center, named in honor of the former Broncos cornerback who was killed in a drive-by shooting in 2007.
In her father's honor, Brittany Bowlen said she was proud to be part of the ceremonies to reopen the club after its renovations.
"It's moving and it's exciting," Bowlen said. "This is part of his heart and soul. He cared about this community so much, and he wanted to give back to youth. You see that through a number of different things that Broncos Charities has supported over the years. But I think this one meant the most to him because it was connected to Darrent Williams, and he wanted to make sure that Darrent had an incredible legacy. And he felt like this was part of that. And so, it's great to see the legacy continue, both for Darrent and for my dad."
Brittany Bowlen is now a board member for Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver.
"I think once I joined the board it resonates a lot more because I understand the scope of the work that the Boys & Girls Clubs do," Bowlen said. "I understand a number of the issues that they face. It's much more meaningful to see the numbers and then understand the impact that they have with those numbers. That's where I feel really moved."