Boys and Girls Club of Poplar Bluff honors young leaders, area partners

With Boys and Girls Club of Poplar Bluff, sophomore Shelby Lutes believes she is part of something bigger then herself.

Club is a home away from home, Lutes said Thursday evening after accepting the recognition of 2019 Youth of the Year.

It is a place where staff members remind youth they are not disadvantaged, but advantaged, she told stakeholders who gathered for a banquet at the Black River Coliseum. It is also a place where Lutes believes she has learned to use the challenges her family has faced to inspire others.

Boys and Girls Club of Poplar Bluff Area Director Amy Baugus presents the 2019 Youth of the Year award Thursday to sophomore Shelby Lutes during an event at the Black River Coliseum. DAR/Donna Farley

“I’ve learned how to accept myself for who I am and handle the struggles I face every day. I’ve been challenged to be a better person while attending club,” said Lutes, who described the program she has attended for 11 years as a safe place for her and her sister while her mother raised them single-handedly and her father battled drug addiction.

During the event that honored both youth and community partners, eighth-grader Emma King was named Junior Youth of the Year for 2019.

King and Lutes will represent the club in Jefferson City in April during a two-day event and compete against other Missouri club members for a chance at state honors.

Boys and Girls Club members, including LeAra Hopson (second from left) perform Thursday during a banquet at the Black River Coliseum.DAR/Donna Farley

“Coming to Boys and Girls Club has helped to improve my life in many ways,” said King, who found the club in the fourth grade, as her parents were divorcing. “Boys and Girls Club has helped me to meet new people, learn about potential careers and become more involved with my community.”

King is an active member of the junior staff, helping organize the club’s haunted house and other projects.

Lutes is enrolled in her second college course through the club’s partnership with Three Rivers College.

Boys and Girls Club of Poplar Bluff Director Chris Rushin speaks Thursday during a banquet for stakeholders at the Black River Coliseum.DAR/Donna Farley

The club had eight youth complete a fall dual credit class and 11 enrolled in the spring class, director of development Abbie Heuiser told the audience, highlighting past and future efforts of the club.

Boys and Girls Club of Poplar Bluff serves 450 youth daily at seven different locations.

It operates from a budget of approximately $1 million a year, with about 60 percent of that generated by government grants. Another approximately $162,000 comes from private contributions and more than $90,000 from special event fundraisers. Parent fees make up almost $134,000.

The banquet also recognized the supporters who offer unwavering support to the club, said Director Chris Rushin.

Those recognized included Scott Preslar of Butler County EMS, which sponsored the 2016 Steak & Burger fundraiser. Preslar’s support has been all about the youth served by the organization and its mission, Rushin said.

Poplar Bluff schools Assistant Superintendent Rod Priest was recognized for his help in 2016, when the organization had to move out of the Hentz Center. Priest suggested the club use space in the district.

“He said he believed in what we do, the importance of what we do and that the kids that we help everyday are our kids. These kids don’t stop being R-1’s kids at the end of the day, they are our kids,” said Rushin. “What he did took guts, but he knew in his heart it was the correct action to help our kids. No one person can lay claim to the best friend this club has ever had, but this man will definitely be in the conversation when they call the role.”

Lucas Edington of Mossy Oak Properties was also honored for donating his time to the board of directors in 2013 and later sponsoring events.

“Over the next five years, this man led with his time, talent and treasure to make sure he followed in the footsteps of his parents to ensure that every child has everything they need to be happy and successful,” Rushin said.