GRAND RAPIDS — Meijer announced on Friday a donation of $1.2 million to dozens of Boys and Girls Clubs serving its communities across Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. Each of the 24 Clubs partaking in the donation will receive $50,000 to invest in educational and developmental programs for local youth.

The Boys and Girls Club of Alpena was one of the $50,000 recipients.

“As a family-owned business, serving families, and especially children, in our communities is always important to us,” Meijer President and CEO Rick Keyes said. “Boys and Girls Clubs offer safe places for children and teens to grow into the future leaders our communities will need, and we’re pleased to support them through this donation.”

The retailer’s gift will fund development programs focused on health, academics and leadership for Boys and Girls Club members.

“We know that each of our communities are different and that each of the Clubs understand the wants and needs of their members best,” said Cathy Cooper, senior director of Community Partnerships and Giving at Meijer. “We look forward to seeing how they find unique ways to use this gift to help their members learn, lead and grow.”

For more information on the retailer’s community giving efforts, please visit meijercommunity.com.