The philanthropic endeavors of Ellis I. Levitt, his family, fellow founders of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Iowa and the Greater Des Moines community were honored Tuesday afternoon at the dedication of a club and building named in his honor.

Roxanne Spillet, president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, walked the audience through the history of the clubs, starting with the organization’s founding in 1906.

Originally the club was only for boys and set in urban areas, Spillet said. Expansion and progression has led the club to allow girls to join and have a presence in everything from public housing to public schools.

Being one of five clubs to actually share a roof with schools, the Ellis I. Levitt Boys and Girls Club is paving the way for future clubs. Spillet said that we are “standing now in what is the future” and plans to share what is happening here in Des Moines with the country. She expressed hope that there will someday be hundreds of similar clubs where the community can “wrap their arms around the children and make sure that they succeed in life.”

Frank Ross, a vice president for Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. and board president for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Iowa, and Kim Butler, the president elect of the club, described the amenities offered through the program. The club is wired for the 21st century and features English Language Learners, English as a Second Language and reading and math comprehension programs.

“This is more than an after-school program,” Ross said.

Suzie Glazer Burt, granddaughter of Ellis I. Levitt, and Mike Frazier, co-chairs of the club’s “Building Potential One Kid at a Time” capital campaign, and J. Barry Griswell, CEO of Principal Financial Group Inc. and chairman of the club’s Board of Trustees, were all honored with plaques for their contributions. Richard Levitt, son of Ellis I. Levitt, spoke about his father’s contributions after the family was presented the bronze casting to be placed at the entrance of the club.