27th annual Kids Classic golf outing raises $297K

Jun 6, 2023

The 27th edition of the Kids Golf Classic, which benefits the Boys and Girls Club of Parkersburg, was held Monday at Parkersburg Country Club. The event generated a record-breaking $297,000. All funds raised directly impact the 1,000 kids throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley that the Boys and Girls Club serves each year. Present for the check presentation are, front row from left: Ryan Kent (Bowles Rice); Adam Reynolds (Chapman Printing Company); Tres Ross (The Ross Foundation); Lynn Reins (CEO, Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg) Mary Anne Ketelsen (Mary M. Welch Advised Fund – in memory of Mickey Welch / Mary Anne & Doug Ketelsen); Richard Adams (Executive Chairman of United) and Fred Earley (Highmark of West Virginia). Back row: John Fanta (Henry Logan Children's Home Foundation); Tyler Astorg (Astorg & Matheny, Inc.); Tim Matheny (Astorg & Matheny, Inc.); John Padden (Reagle & Padden); Nick Squires (Tri-State); Dan Van Dyke (The PM Company); Charlie Taylor (United Construction Company, Inc. & Murray Sheet Metal); Robert Vanni (Family Carpet) and Chad Mildren (Kids Golf Classic Tournament Chairman and Chief Consumer Banking Officer, United Bank).(Photo by Kerry Patrick)

VIENNA — As part of being on the ground floor for the creation of the Kids Golf Classic 27 years ago, Richard Adams remembers the event raising $40,000 to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg that first year.

And in 2023, the money raised from Year 1 is the same dollar figure by which the event surpassed the total dollar figure raised in 2022. Monday at Parkersburg Country Club, the Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg and its Chief Executive Office Lynn Reins received a check for a record-breaking $297,000 — an increase of $40,000 from a year ago.

Since its inception, the Kids Golf Classic has generated more than $4 million in fundraising.

"It's all about the kids," said Adams, who is the Executive Chairman of United Bankshares, Inc. "In terms of fundraising, it all comes down to the relationships we have with our customers and people in the community that are committed to the Boys & Girls Club. We are very honored that we can continue to make a big difference.

"There's no question the Boys & Girls Club is doing a great job, and each year they raise the bar. I think that has to do with people giving more money."

Joe Campbell hi-fives his partners after pitching in from off the green for a birdie at the ninth hole at Parkersburg Country Club during Monday's 27th edition of the Kids Golf Classic. The team of Campbell, Bob Boone, Dale Knight and Bob Stephens finished at 7-under par 66 in the best-ball format and placed in a tie for second in Flight C.(Photo by Kerry Patrick)

The funds, which are not restricted, allow the organization to improve both the quality and the quantity of programs, and services they provide. According to Reins, the club served more kids in April and May of this year than in April and May of 2019, which surpasses the facilities’ pre-pandemic numbers.

"Without Chad, Richard and the team, I just don't know if there would be a club in Parkersburg," said Reins, who has been affiliated with the Parkersburg location for 2 1/2 years. "This is over one third of our operating budget for the year. I’ve been in non-profits for nearly 13 years and I have never seen an event put on by a local business that the non-profit did not have to lift a finger to make it happen.

"We are usually worked very hard to earn every penny we get. To have the support of Richard, Chad and the team is unbelievable. We are so lucky to have an event like the Kids Golf Classic. Every other club I talk to is so envious."

The Boys & Girls Club is a constant in the lives of hundreds of youth in the area and provides access to a safe facility with a positive environment and caring adult professionals that foster the club's three priority outcomes: academic success, character building and healthy lifestyle choices.

"There's this old cliche that we say at the Boys & Girls Club, ‘that kids grow up with their feet’ — meaning if they are walking through the door we are doing something right," Reins said. "As we see our numbers go up, we see them having fun. We see them coming more regularly.

"We do good work and we put it out there for people to see so they can see the return on their investment. So if they are giving to the Kids Golf Classic, they are giving to the future of Parkersburg or giving to the future of the Wood County because we are going to invest in those kids and by investing in our kids they will be the future mayors, the future doctors — whatever it is. By investing in them, they can see it has a profitable return."

Reins noted 270 kids are registered for summer programs at the club. Recently, an additional six part-time members were hired to lead and implement fun and enriching new summer initiatives and activities.

"We have a phenomenal new unit director with Sierra Hoy — she started in December and she has brought this fresh, whole new light," Reins said. "We know when every field trip is taking place. We are doing Around the World every week as a new country they are going to visit. There is cooking, there is performance arts, there is gardening. There is everything any kid would want to do. There is something for everyone and Sierra has just been pivotal in getting that started."

Annually, the tournament, which is entirely funded by United Bank, garners tremendous community support from golfers and businesses alike, many of whom have participated since the tournament's inception. Because of United's funding, 100% of the funds raised by way of entry fees, sponsorships and donations directly benefit the local organization. Annual proceeds of the tournament account for more than one-third of the nonprofit's operating budget.

In total, 120 golfers participated in the 2023 Kids Golf Classic, which was sponsored by 122 local businesses and community members. Titanium level sponsors, giving $25,000 or more, include: Mary Riccobene and the Mary M. Welch Advised Fund of the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation – in memory of Mickey Welch. Platinum level sponsors, giving $10,000 or more, include: Astorg & Matheny, Inc.; CAS Cable; Henry Logan Children's Home Foundation; Mary Anne and Doug Ketelsen; Reagle & Padden Insurance; The Ross Foundation; United Bank; United Construction Company, Inc. and Murray Sheet Metal. Gold level sponsors, giving $5,000 or more, include: Bill Leachman; Bowles Rice; Chapman Printing Company; Family Carpet; FIS; Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield; Richard Adams; The PM Company; Tri-State Roofing & Sheet Metal; Worldpay and Visa. Silver level sponsors, giving $1,000 or more, include: 49 local businesses and community members. Several other businesses and individuals also contributed to today's event, providing personal donations and serving as hole sponsors, helping to make the 2023 fund its most successful year yet.

"Each year, we are inspired by the remarkable support our community provides to the Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg and the local kids it serves through the Kids Golf Classic," said Chad Mildren, who is the Chairman of the Tournament and Executive Vice President, Chief Consumer Banking Officer of United Bank. "After 27 years of the tournament, to have another record-breaking year and surpass the $4 million mark for funds raised for the Club, I am truly amazed. The Club plays an integral role in the community, shaping the lives of our local youth and contributing to their future successes.

"United is proud to present this fundraising platform, continuing to connect the organization with members of our business community and generating much-needed funds so the Club's team can focus on their important mission. We want to thank the people and businesses who have supported the Kids Golf Classic today, Lynn and the staff at the Boys & Girls Club for all they do to empower our community's young people, as well as the kids and families of the Club who make the decision each day to spend their time in a positive environment."

Contact Kerry Patrick at [email protected]

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