Members of the community gathered earlier this week to raise funds for a local non-profit youth development organization.
On Tuesday, October 20th, the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks hosted its 14th Annual Thanks4Giving Gala at the Branson Convention Center, which featured special activities, live and silent auctions, dinner, student entertainment and a VIP Meet & Greet with the evening’s keynote speaker, football legend Marcus Allen.
Throughout the evening, attendees had the chance to hear speeches from 2026 Jr. Youth of the Year Piper Kelley, Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks Board Chairman Leasa Brosseau and 2026 Youth of the Year Scarlette Elliot. Additionally, Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks Volunteer Nelda Lies was presented with the Volunteer of the Year Award and Kirk Elmquist, who served as emcee for the benefit event, was recognized for his decade of service with the organization.
The event also included an address by Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks Chief Executive Officer Stoney Hays, who provided guests with an update on the program’s growth and community impact.
“The Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks started 32 years ago, and it’s grown from one operating location serving about 100 kids, to today serving in four operating locations, serving 1,400 children in Branson, in Crane, in Forsyth, and in Reeds Spring,” Hays said. “We average just a little over 400 kids each and every day, and some days we’ll see almost 500 kids walk through our doors.”
At the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks, Hays shared 83% of their club kids are age 12 and under, with teenagers making up the remaining 17% of their membership. Additionally, 65% of their student members qualify for free and reduced lunch at school.
“In the areas of academic success, 99% of our kiddos have reported that they’re on track to graduate on time with a post-secondary education plan,” Hays said. “The Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks evaluates academic programs each and every year against the federal performance measures, as required by the U.S. Department of Education. In a recent evaluation, we’ve shown significant improvement in students’ behavior and learning; including the following: 25% demonstrated growth in reading, 23% demonstrated growth in math, 80% decreased their suspension rate, and 75% of our kiddos exceeded the school district average grade of attendance. This happens because of a mentor and reinforced homework help each and every day; and as we know those who do their homework tend to go to school each and every day.”
With the assistance of club kids roaming the convention hall with donation bins, Elmquist, joined by Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks Board Member Brandei Clifton, collected cash donations and accepted monetary pledges from gala attendees to benefit the non-profit. While the fundraising total from the gala was still being collected as of press time, this specific effort at the gala resulted in thousands of dollars being pledged by attendees in a short window of time.
One such pledge came from Marcus Allen who vocalized a $5,000 pledge to the club, just moments before he took to the stage for a Q&A panel discussion with Elmquist. During their conversation, Allen spoke on a variety of topics including highlights from his time with the Los Angeles Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs, his determination from an early age to set new rushing records, earning the Heisman Trophy and the direct impact his parents had on his life and career.
Before the panel ended, Elmquist asked if Allen could impart some wisdom to the students in attendance. Allen said he wanted to encourage young people to remember that nothing in this world is free.
“If you want it, you gotta go get it. Alright. We must tell our kids that. Nobody’s gonna hand them anything, if they want something in life, they’re gonna have to put in the work,” Allen said. “One, they have to see what they want, obviously make a decision what they want, and then, two put it into work. When I look back and reflect, [people saw] the touchdown runs, they see the fancy cars and all this stuff, but nobody sees the work that you put in when nobody’s watching. And in order to get to the highest mountain guys, you have to work. That work is really important. And you gotta love what you do with it too.”
Allen then addressed the adults in the room and tasked them to provide the children in their lives with everything they need to succeed.
“They’re the best investment that could possibly turn this world around and we have to give them the toolkit in order to be successful, right? We have to give them everything they need to succeed in this world,” Allen said. “It’s up to us, the parents, right? And, hey, it is not a sacrifice. It’s what you’re supposed to do, because you brought your kids here. I was watching TV one day and I heard all these players say, well, I sacrificed this and that, and we’re like, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. No, that’s what you’re supposed to do. The day you decided to have kids; it’s not about us anymore.”
Before exiting the stage, Allen thanked those in attendance for their support of the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks.
“Thanks, you guys for being here. Thank you for your resolve every single year to invest in your kids. The Boys & Girls Club was a part of my life; part of my upbringing,” Allen said. “We went there year after year. So, for me, this is just a reminder of how lucky I was. And there were people out there in the audience that like you, that invested in me, and when you do that, you never know where an individual will end up at. You just never know. So, this is really important, and I want you to say this; you’re rich by what you give, and you’re poor by what you keep.”
Outside of their annual fundraising gala, the club continues to accept donations year-round through The Great Futures Annual Campaign, which are used to help with membership, 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.
