KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The founder of Bell’s Brewing is making good on his pledge to get more involved in community affairs after selling the brewery, donating $1 million to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Kalamazoo to help build a new headquarters.
The Boys and Girls Clubs announced the donation from Larry Bell Wednesday.
The organization is working to move its headquarters to a new location on Portage Street. It needs about $9 million to make it possible. Bell’s donation lifted the campaign past the $7 million mark.
In a statement, Kalamazoo Boys and Girls Clubs CEO Matt Lynn said, “Larry’s long-standing support of our Clubs and his leadership in this campaign speak to success our programming can bring to young people. As a member of our campaign cabinet, Larry will continue to work with us to reach our $9 million goal.”
The group hopes to finish building its new 30,000-square-foot headquarters in 2023. It will have space for art, health and sports, studying and more.
Bell sold his Kalamazoo-area brewery last year to an Australian company.
