Joseph Lapenta Receives 2013 “Maytag® Dependable Leader” Award

HARTFORD, CT, SEPT. 25, 2013 /3BL Media/ – Maytag® brand and Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) announce that Joseph “Papa Joe” Lapenta has been named a “2013 Maytag Dependable Leader” in recognition for his demonstrated commitment to dependability and dedication to keeping youth on the path to achieve great futures.

Joseph Lapenta was selected as one of 25 nominees to receive the distinction and a $20,000 financial award to help deepen the impact in the community. The grant will further extend Joseph Lapenta respective focus with the Boys & Girls Club of Hartford to continue and enhance his demonstrated commitment to helping youth achieve great futures. Joseph Lapenta intends to use the one-time grant to continue programs that keep the community and youth safe.

“Joseph Lapenta is truly a dependable leader who selflessly gives their time and efforts to Boys & Girls Club of Hartford and we are proud to see him recognized with this incredible award from Maytag,” said Sam Gray, Boys & Girls Club of Hartford President and CEO. “Through the Maytag Dependable Leader Award, Joseph Lapenta will continue making a positive impact in our community and build upon our reach. We are grateful to Maytag for supporting our organization’s efforts to serve young people and make a difference in their lives.”

Boys & Girls Clubs provides services and support to enable youth to reach their full potential as high-performing adults. With a heritage of dependability dating back more than 100 years, the Maytag brand mission is to build high-performing products consumers can count on. The partnership between Maytag and BGCA seeks to recognize and promote dependability – a quality that is at the core of what the Clubs’ staff and volunteers do every day and is central to Maytag brand.

“The Maytag Dependable Leader Award allows Maytag brand to give back to Boys & Girls Club professionals and volunteers who continue to give tirelessly of themselves to the Clubs and the youth they work with,” said William Beck, senior brand director, Maytag.  “Joseph Lapenta provides hope and balance; it is our honor to recognize this individual with this award.”

The Maytag Dependable Club Award recognizes Club professionals and volunteers who are committed to making a difference in the lives of youth, and are dependable and exceptional role models. Joseph Lapenta will join 25 Dependable Leaders across the country also honored with the award this year.

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 performance continues to thrive. Exceptionally durable, commercial-grade components are found in many Maytag brand appliances – including Maytag® Maxima® front-load and Maytag® Bravos® top-load washers and dryers. Maytag brand is part of the Whirlpool Corporation, the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $18 billion in 2012, 68,000 employees, and 65 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. For more information on any Maytag brand appliance, visit http://www.maytag.com.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,000 Clubs serve some 4 million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native American lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at http://www.bgca.org/facebook and http://bgca.org/twitter.
 

Contact:

Kristina Battle                                     Jetaun Adkins                                     Andrea Betts

Boys & Girls Club of Hartford                    Boys & Girls Clubs of America                Ketchum for Maytag Brand

                                                          (404) 487-5945                                  (646) 935-4269

                                                           jadkins@bgca.org                               andrea.betts@ketchum.com