The Missouri Area Council of Boys & Girls Clubs of America celebrated exceptional leadership and dedication at their annual conference Tuesday night in St. Charles, presenting two prestigious awards to individuals who have made significant contributions to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Heartland.
__Missouri Area Council Hall of Fame__
Robbie Toth-Cosby is the first non-CEO, non-board member ever to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. This award is a state-wide honor extended by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Missouri Area Council.
The Boys & Girls Club of the Heartland said Toth has held every position available, beginning as a volunteer in 2006 at the age of 18. Her journey has included roles such as youth development professional, site lead, accounts manager, resource development, unit director, regional director, and now, 18 years later, chief operating officer. Beyond her work with the Boys & Girls Club, Toth volunteers with the Community Resource Council, We Can Be Drug-Free Coalition, Housing Authority, Juvenile Crime Prevention, Parks and Recreation Department, Young at Heart, and FosterAdopt Connect. She is certified in PQA and first aid, and she serves as a tier 1 and tier 2 national trainer, mastermind trainer, and mental health trainer. Toth has played a crucial role in guiding students through life-altering decisions, helping to break the cycle of poverty.
Toth was instrumental in the creation of BGCH’s award-winning college program, working closely with Three Rivers College to provide 10th to 12th-grade members with opportunities. The success of this program has led to a $10 million capital campaign to build a 33,000-square foot Regional Workforce Development Teen Center for Southeast Missouri students. This initiative will allow over 20 area high schools to attend college courses starting in the 10th grade.
She has also been pivotal in expanding the club to additional locations, including her hometown of Neelyville. She personally distributed applications, spoke with parents, and held numerous meetings with the school district.
Outside of her primary responsibilities, Toth initiated a dance program and personally visited every site to teach the dance routine she created, sometimes attending three to four sites in one night. The program’s success led to performances at Three Rivers College basketball games, and they have requested her to return for other sporting events.
“Robbie is consistently the first person in the office at 7:15 a.m. and the last to leave,” Boys & girls Club of the Heartland said in a press release. “She never takes a day off and always has a smile on her face. Robbie Toth’s dedication to the Boys & Girls Club is unwavering. Because of her extraordinary commitment, we named an award after her. The Miss Robbie Award is presented annually at our Great Futures Banquet to a front-line staff member who has gone above and beyond.”
The press release continued, “She knows the names and details of every child who has passed through our doors. Robbie maintains a comprehensive archive of Boys & Girls Club history, including newspaper articles, photographs, and updates on alumni. She is a beloved figure among kids, parents, staff, teachers, principals, and superintendents — everyone knows Ms. Robbie.”
Toth is married to her husband Ethan.
__Missouri Area Council Liaison of the Year Award__
Board of Directors President Lara Moffitt was awarded the Missouri Area Council Liaison of the Year Award.
Moffitt was elected board president in 2019 has served as Missouri Area Council Liaison since 2020.
“Lara has been instrumental in building relationships with our local community. She has established partnerships with local businesses, community organizations, and government agencies to provide support and resources for our club members. Through her hard work and dedication, Lara has successfully secured funding for our club programs, organized community events, and advocated for the needs of our club members at the Area Council meetings,” stated BGCH.
Her efforts have resulted in increased participation, improved programming, and enhanced opportunities for club members. She helped secure $10 million for the Capital Campaign project.
“Lara’s passion for the mission and vision of Boys & Girls Club is evident in everything she does. Her commitment to the well being of our club members has inspired us all to work harder and give more to ensure that our youth have access to the resources and support they need to succeed,” BGCH said.