The Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks raised more than $280,000 from its 14th Annual Thanks4Giving Gala last month.
The annual fundraiser, hosted on Tuesday, October 20, provided several avenues for donors to support the youth development organization before and during the event. On the night of the gala, the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks reports they raised $62,000, which came from attendees bidding on live and silent auction items, gifting physical cash donations, pledging money to the organization and other means of contribution. Additional funds were raised by way of event sponsorships; taking the gross total for the event to $286,000.
In appreciation for their generosity, gala attendees were treated to live musical performances from area student groups, dinner, dessert, special activities and a Q&A Panel style discussion with retired Kansas City Chief’s Running Back Marcus Allen.
During the gala, Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks Chief Executive Officer Stoney Hays also shared the latest club statistics with attendees. Currently, the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks serves 1,400 children via their unit locations in Branson, Crane, Forsyth and Reeds Spring; with a little over 400 kids coming in each day. Of those kids, 83% of them are ages 12 and under, and 17% are age 13 and up. Out of all their members, 65% of them qualify for free and reduced lunches at school and 99% are on track to graduate on time with a post-secondary education plan.
Outside of their annual fundraising gala, the club continues to accept donations year-round, which are used to sponsor memberships, meals, activities and other vital club resources. For more information about the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks, the club’s fundraising efforts or to become a volunteer, visit www.bgcozarks.org.
