[Girls & Boys Town]

When he was a youngster growing up in Fountain Valley in the 1960s, recently elected Board of Trustees Chairman Robert Hartmann washed cars for $1-$2 a car to supplement his allowance. During that time, his family received the annual requests for support from Father Flanagan at Boys Town. He remembers his mom and dad telling him that it was an important organization for other kids who were not as lucky as Bob and had no place to live. With his parents' encouragement, he set aside $5.00 of his hard earned funds every year to include with his family's annual contribution. So it was very ironic and brought back a lot of memories when he was approached to join the Girls and Boys Town of Southern California Board of Trustees several years ago.

Bob's priority is to increase awareness and visibility of the organization throughout Southern California and to ensure the implementation of the Girls and Boys Town teaching model. "Our strategy is two-fold: increase the visibility of the Board of Trustees by adding an Honorary Board that will consist of well-known and respected figures and beginning a corporate partnership program that will brand the Girls and Boys Town of Southern California name with successful and esteemed businesses.

"I believe Girls and Boys Town is the finest and most successful organization in the country that helps children who need a loving and nurturing environment," Bob said. "We have the history and tradition as well as the results. I want to be sure that every successful business owner knows exactly what we do and how it enriches the community at large. By doing so, we will broaden our donor base and ensure the continuation of Father Flanagan's legacy."

In addition, Bob appreciates the contributions made by past chairmen David Justman and Leon Myers, and President and CEO Keith Diederich. "We are fortunate to have the most qualified, best educated and motivated staff and board of trustees anywhere. This will ultimately improve the quality of what we do to new heights while at the same time expanding our reach in the community with new shelters such as the Compton residence now under construction."

"A major indicator of our success includes the outstanding audits and evaluations provided by outside organizations," he added. "This helps us assure the donor that the dollars they earmark for children are actually spent on kids, and what we do works."

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