Matt Weller, USD 379 Communications Coordinator
Photo Courtesy of Matt Weller
The Clay Center Community Improvement Foundation (CCCIF) is thrilled to announce an extraordinary $250,000 donation from the Ebert and Martin Families towards the Clay Center Multi-Generational Life Center project.
This generous contribution, in memory of Marguerite and Roy Martin Sr., secures the naming rights to the second gymnasium and court.
“The Ebert / Martin Family would like to generously donate to the Multi-generational Center in Memory of Marguerite and Roy Martin Sr., who have taught our family about the importance of Faith, Family, Farming, and to help build the Future of Clay County,” said Julie Ebert.
“This means a lot to Chris and I, as we have spent thousands of hours in a gym, both as an athlete or coach and cheerleader for Austin, Emily, and Adam’s activities. We want to have a place where all ages can go and be active and healthy, both physically and mentally.
“Chris rode his bike out in the country, to the old Flush High School gym, crawled through the window the priest accidentally left open, and shot baskets for hours, so he could get very good and was starting on his high school basketball team as a sophomore. For me, I remember my Mom, Kathy Martin, starting a girls’ gymnastic program at Wakefield where I spent hours and hours getting stronger, doing cartwheels, flips, and round off back hand springs, and more importantly, always saying “I can do this”! So, if we can provide gym time to a young person who wants to have dedication, determination, and grit and better themselves every day, we hope this gym does that.
“This gym is also for all age groups that will utilize this space, from the new mom with a baby who wants a climate controlled area to walk aroundwith her stroller while her toddler can just play and let off that crazy energy, to the senior citizen who has just recovered from a cardiac procedure and needs to start walking again as part of their medical plan.
“We hope this gym provides a space for that Mom or Dad to get a group of kids together and continue the basketball and volleyball programs with an extra gym, and not always have to use a small school gym at all hours of the night. In addition, we hope there are things not even thought about yet in our community, like gymnastics, referee clinics, adult chair yoga, an old-fashioned Sock Hop, or indoor pickleball, all of which can bring our community together.
“The Ebert / Martin Family has been in Clay County for over a century, and we feel that this multi-generational center is another gem for our community that will attract and keep young people and their families in Clay Center or Clay County. We are proud to offer our financial support and look forward to utilizing the space for generations to come.
This generous donation brings us ever so close to completing our funding efforts! Thank you to the Ebert and Martin families for their amazing support!
