More than 200 people woke up bright and early Wednesday morning to support Lewis County youths and take a charitable step up during the most important meal of the day.
By 7:30 a.m., Jester’s Auto Museum and Events Center in Chehalis was completely full with supporters of the Lewis County Boys and Girls Club for the annual “Most Important Meal of the Year” fundraiser.
Attendees were greeted with a hearty breakfast of biscuits and gravy, as well as multiple speakers, and even more opportunities to donate to the club.
Lewis County Boys and Girls Club Executive Director Sarah Althauser opened the event by taking a moment to thank everyone involved, especially the kids. She spoke on the importance of raising funding for the club.
“A lot of people don't know that boys and girls clubs are locally funded,” she said. “A lot of people think nationally we are taken care of, but we definitely rely on local support.”
“We get kids from every corner of Lewis County. We serve over 250 kids right now, but we need to figure out how we can serve more kids,” Althauser said. “We want kids to have every opportunity right in their backyard. We are making sure these kids are future-ready”.
According to Club Recourse Development Coordinator Shawna Herriford, the event raised a little under $30,000 from table sponsorships alone, with more donations to come.
Centralia Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston, a founding board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Lewis County, proudly refers to the club as a “hope-building, poverty-reducing organization.”
“This is my favorite room,” Smith Johnston said. “This is my favorite moment all year because we are all committed to helping the kids of Lewis County.”
Advocating for children struggling with mental health and growing up in a post-COVID world, Smith Johnston said, “Rates of anxiety and depression are skyrocketing and their social connections are withering in front of us. One in four kids aren't sure they have an adult they can turn to. This room is the one saying we aren't going to let that stand. We are going to make something better for our kids.”
Immediately after finishing her speech Smith Johnston was called back to the podium to be honored with the club’s “Crazy Committed Award” in appreciation for her support of the organization.
This year's Lewis County Boys and Girls Club’s Youth of the Year is Marlie Miller, a freshman at W.F. West High School who has been advocating for the club for the past year.
Miller took to the podium with a smile on her face.
“Being the Youth of the Year has given me the confidence to stand up here, stand up for what I believe in, and never give up,” she said.
“Club has helped find my passion in children's counseling by giving me the opportunity to talk to kids when they are having a bad day,” Miller said. “I've seen those kids run up to me and give me a hug outside of club, and that's what our club is all about. It's a second home for kids, somewhere they can feel safe and loved all year long.”
The mission of the Boys and Girls Club is to provide children with a safe, constructive, supportive environment when they are not at home or at school. Compared to traditional after school care, the club is much more affordable at a rate of $50 a month.
To donate to the Boys and Girls Club of Lewis County, or find ways to volunteer and get involved, visit the club’s website at https://www.bgcchehalis.org/.
