One person can make a difference.
Mark Robinson told the gathering at the Jordan Boys and Girls Club Tournament Monday that Josh Kraft’s influence and dedication for the past 15 years in Chelsea will affect a whole generation of children.
Robinson’s remarks came during a surprise farewell celebration at the Sheraton Ferncroft in Danvers for Kraft, who is leaving his position as executive director of the Jordan Boys and Girls Club to become the Nicholas president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Boston. In his new position, Josh Kraft will oversee five Boys and Girls Clubs in the Boston area along with some after-school programs.
“What Josh built in the city and his legacy will remain for many generations,” said Robinson. “He moves on to Boston, but not far from Chelsea to lead an organization that he has given his whole adult working life to.”
Kraft received a Chelsea Clock with the inscription, “Thank you for bringing the community together to build a safe program in which you have fun, learn life skills, and grow into responsible adults. Your dedication to the youth and families of Chelsea has been an inspiration and proof that one person can make a difference. Thank you, Josh Kraft.”
As Kraft made his way to the microphone, the assembled guests stood and gave Kraft a warm and prolonged standing ovation.
“I want to thank Mark, the local board, and everyone here for surprising me with this,” said Kraft.
Robinson called upon Josh Kraft’s parents, Robert and Myra Kraft, to say a few words at the tribute. The Kraft family was instrumental in helping to build a brand new $10 million clubhouse on Willow Street for the benefit of Chelsea children.
“Josh had the vision to make sure that there was going to be a club in Chelsea,” said Myra Kraft. “Through a lot of hard work, perseverance, and getting the board on the same page – we already had four clubs and to support a fifth club was going to take a lot more money –Josh had to do a lot of persuading; but we all knew that it was the right thing.
“We’re just so proud of what Josh and the wonderful people with whom he’s been privileged to work have been able to create in Chelsea,” she said.
Robert Kraft told the gathering, “Our family really feels rooted in this community, in Chelsea.
“I was not crazy about him doing this, reading what I was reading in the papers about Chelsea. But this is a strong-minded family. I think Josh, like his mother, is a great social entrepreneur. What he did here with his team of people – and he’s told me how great they are - it’s a real credit to all of you for supporting him and the entire team here,” said Robert Kraft. “We thank you for that, and we’re really proud. We feel he’s created a championship team right here in the city of Chelsea. Thank you all for your support.”
Josh Kraft reflected on his years as executive director of the Chelsea club during an interview last week.
“I was ready for a new challenge, but leaving here has been an incredibly hard decision for me,” said Kraft. “I told the parents of club members that after my family, there’s nothing more important to me than the city of Chelsea, the Boys and Girls Club in Chelsea, and the people I’ve met and built lifelong friendships with - business leaders, community leaders, and of course, the staff at the Boys and Girls Club. And last, but most importantly, the kids and families I’ve met have made a lasting impact on me, and I’ll always have a place for Chelsea in my heart.”
Kraft started the Chelsea Boys and Girls Club at the Mary C. Burke Complex in 1995. The club moved to the Clark Avenue School, site of the old Chelsea High School, for four years. After a major fundraising campaign, a new $10 million Jordan Boys and Girls Club opened on Willow Street five years ago.