Stellar performance earns Youth Center big money Published Oct. 18, 2012 By Kiley Swopes Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D -- Minot Air Force Base's Youth Center was recently awarded the 2012 Maytag Dependable Club Award through the Boys and Girls Club of America and with it $100,000 in grants. The Dependable Club Award is given to select Boys and Girls Clubs that demonstrate dependability, performance and durability. Contestants consisted of clubs from across the U.S., as well as military installations around the world who felt they met key criteria. "Economically speaking, times are hard and we have experienced budget cuts like most all other organizations, on- and off-base," said Ronda Knutson, 5th Force Support Squadron youth programs chief. "We are in the business of cultivating tomorrow's leaders, making dreams come true, providing hope and opportunity and ultimately improving the quality of life for youth on this installation. We would be doing a disservice to our customers if we did not apply for every opportunity that comes our way." Knutson credits the award to the Youth Program's coordinators and staff for creating and implementing the programs that make the center successful. "The staff here is dedicated to the program and to the youth involved," Knutson stated. "They are equally as lucky to have the kids that we have in our programs and we are very thankful to parents for sharing their most valuable possession(s) with us." Ultimately, the award funds will be used by the center to sustain the dependability, durability and performance of the programs here at Minot, and to improve the quality of programs. "This award will make it easier on us to continue all these partnerships and continue to make a difference in the lives of our young people," Knutson said. "We are extremely grateful to Maytag for helping us continue the great work the staff performs every day to enrich the lives of our members and our community."