St. Mary's Home for Boys Receives Large Grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

BEAVERTON, Ore. -- St. Mary's Home for Boys has been awarded a $1 million gift for facility improvements. The grant will enable St. Mary's to continue construction on the new gymnasium.

 

The March 2001 earthquake centered near Seattle rocked the old gymnasium at St. Mary's Home for Boys nearly off its foundation. The gym was 80 years old and beginning to show signs of age.

 

The earthquake left the gym "condemned." Viewed as a "virtual house of cards, ready to collapse without notice" by engineering firm VLMK, the gym was demolished earlier this summer. The gym served as the most popular spot on campus for the 78 boys receiving care at St. Mary's.

 

In addition to typical physical education classes, the gym was the venue for much more at St. Mary's -- Shakespearean plays, fencing classes, science and art fairs, talent shows and community presentations.

 

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awarded the gift, in full, in October after visiting the Boys' Home. The Ford Family Foundation and Phil Knight have made earlier major gifts towards the gymnasium project.

 

On the Internet:
St. Mary's Home for Boys
www.stmaryshomeforboys.org/