MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Hutchinson is preparing for its annual fundraising campaign and Friday golf tournament while continuing to serve hundreds of youth across Reno County through after-school and summer programming.
Executive Director Lance Patterson said the organization’s annual campaign goal this year is $175,000, money that helps support day-to-day operations and programming for nearly 1,700 young people served through the club’s various programs and outreach efforts. More than 800 of those youth are registered members.
Patterson said the annual campaign is essential because while the club receives grant funding through programs such as 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and AmeriCorps, community fundraising remains critical to maintaining services.
“We kind of look at this, you know, we break our fundraising up in a little different way,” Patterson said. “We say today, and that’s our annual campaign. Tomorrow is our special projects to make things a little better for the kids that we serve. And then forever is our endowment.”
The organization operates two primary Hutchinson sites, including the Avenue A School location for kindergarten through fifth grade students and the Shadduck Park teen center serving sixth graders through high school seniors.
Program Director Lindsay Fields said the organization serves students from across Reno County and beyond during the summer months, emphasizing that the club is open to all youth, not just USD 308 students.
Fields said programming focuses on four priority areas: academic success, health and well-being, character and leadership, and life and workforce readiness.
“All of our programming, I mean, first, it’s relationship based, because you’re not going to change lives unless first you’re building that relationship and that trust with people,” Fields said.
2025 Youth of the Year Graciela Medina, said the organization helped shape her leadership skills over the years, including serving as Torch Club president and eventually competing for the state Youth of the Year title in Topeka.
Medina is a longtime club member who began attending the Boys & Girls Club in kindergarten while her parents worked extended hours.
“I’ve taken so much away from the past years of being a part of the Boys and Girls Club,” Medina said. “Building bonds and memories with the members — it’s a lot of fun.”
Medina is graduating this week from Hutchinson High School and plans to attend Barton Community College, where she will study physical education and play soccer.
Patterson also highlighted the club’s annual Great Futures Golf Tournament scheduled for Friday at Crazy Horse Golf Club. He thanked Midway Motors for serving as a longtime sponsor of the event.
Those interested in enrolling children in the Boys & Girls Club programs can find more information through the organization’s website or by contacting the club at 620-665-7171.