By Mary Budke

As we enjoy the season of Thanksgiving, my heart is filled with deep gratitude for the steadfast support our community continues to show the Boys & Girls Clubs. The love and generosity we’ve received — day in and day out, year after year — has not only sustained us but has strengthened our mission to serve the young people who walk through our doors each day.

On November 8, we held our annual dinner and auction, and I’m still overwhelmed by the spirit of generosity that filled the room that night. With so many of you in attendance and contributing — whether through your presence, your words of encouragement, or your financial support — we surpassed our ambitious goal and were reminded once again that we are not alone in this work. You are with us. And together, we are changing the lives of countless youth.

For every young person who has found a second home at one of our Boys & Girls Clubs, your giving means more than words can express. Each donated dollar, each volunteer hour given, and each connection made, directly fuels the programs that help our youth succeed — academically, socially, and emotionally.

Your support ensures that when a child steps into one of our Clubs, they find more than just a safe place; they find mentors who believe in them, friends who uplift them, and opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach. Thanks to you, we continue to provide academic enrichment opportunities that close achievement gaps and ignite a love for learning. Our homework sessions, STEM experiments, and workforce readiness programs have helped many members improve their grades and believe in a future filled with possibility.

We also know that success is about more than academics; it’s about living well, in every sense of the word. With your help, we’re providing nutritious meals and snacks daily, engaging kids in fun fitness programs, and teaching life skills that encourage physical and emotional wellness. Our healthy lifestyles program, Project L.A.N.E. (Lifestyle. Attitude. Nutrition. Exercise.) not only keeps kids active but also empowers them to make choices that lead to a lifetime of good health.

And just as importantly, we’re building character and leadership in the next generation. Our youth leadership clubs, service projects, and community outreach initiatives give our members the tools they need to lead with integrity, compassion, and confidence. They are learning that their voices matter—and that they have the power to create change in their lives and in their neighborhoods.

None of this happens without you.

When you showed up at our auction, donated to our annual Campaign for Kids, cheered for our youth as they spoke about their dreams, you weren’t just giving to a cause, you were investing in a young person’s future. You were saying, “I believe in you.” And that message resonates with every program we offer, in every smile we see, in every milestone our kids reach.

I wish each of you could see what we see every day: the elementary school student who improves their reading level by two grades in a year; the shy teen who steps up to lead a service project for the first time; the high schooler who discovers a passion for baking thanks to a positive experience at our hands-on cooking club. These aren’t just stories, they are living proof of the power of a supportive, caring community.

To our business sponsors, individual donors, community partners, volunteers, and families: thank you. Thank you for recognizing that our kids are worth every ounce of effort and every dollar of investment. Your belief in them helps them believe in themselves. And to every young person in our Clubs: you are why we do this. Your courage, your curiosity, your resilience inspires us all. We are so proud of you.

As we look ahead to the rest of the year and beyond, we remain committed to creating a space where every child can feel safe, seen, and supported. We’ll continue to innovate, to adapt, and to grow — because our kids deserve nothing less. And with members of our community beside us, I know we can meet every challenge and seize every opportunity.

On behalf of our entire Boys & Girls Club family: thank you for standing with us. Thank you for believing in great futures for our youth. We are deeply thankful — not just in November, but every day of the year.