Contact: Sameera Jordan
Media Relations Manager
Sameera.Jordan@BankWithUnited.com

Proceeds Benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. – For the 28th consecutive year, members of the local business and golf communities came together for the annual Kids Golf Classic tournament, benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg. The fundraising event, held at the Parkersburg Country Club, garnered a record-breaking $315,000 this year, surpassing 2023’s record by $18,000. All funds raised directly impact the 1,000 kids throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley that the Boys & Girls Club serves each year.

With the addition of this year’s funds, the annual Kids Golf Classic has now raised more than $4.3 million since the inaugural event in 1997. Annual proceeds of the tournament account for approximately one-third of the Club’s operating budget. These funds, which are not restricted, allow the nonprofit to improve both the quality and quantity of the programs and services they provide.

The Boys & Girls Club is a constant in the lives of hundreds of youths in the area, providing access to a safe facility with a positive environment and caring adult professionals that foster the Club’s four priority outcomes: academic success, healthy lifestyles, good character and leadership, and life and workforce readiness. Area youth, many of whom face socioeconomic and geographic challenges, find hope and opportunity through enrichment provided by the Boys & Girls Club. Programs focus on health and life skills; sports, fitness, and recreation; education and career; character and leadership; and the arts.

“Every single year I am amazed by the support the Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg receives during this event. Amazed, but not surprised. My time in Parkersburg has been spent meeting the best of people and learning the true giving nature of this community,” said Lynn Reins, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg. “These funds being unrestricted allows us to serve even more kids than in recent history. The Club has 300 youth and teens registered for the summer program, which begins this Wednesday, June 5. That is 300 young people that will have meals provided, access to field trip adventures, targeted programs, positive adult interactions, and the opportunity to build friendships and have lots of fun.”

Each year, the tournament receives tremendous community support from golfers and businesses alike, many of whom have participated since the tournament’s inception. This year, 128 golfers participated in the 2024 Kids Golf Classic, which was sponsored by 70 local businesses and community members. Titanium level sponsors with donations of $25,000 or more include: The Mary M. Welch Advised Fund of the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation – in memory of Mickey Welch; Mary Riccobene; and CAS Cable. Platinum level sponsors with donations of $10,000 or more include: Astorg & Matheny, Inc.; Chapman Printing Company; Henry Logan Children’s Home Foundation; Mary Anne and Doug Ketelsen; Murray Sheet Metal and United Construction Co., Inc.; Reagle & Padden, Inc.; The Ross Foundation; Tri-State Roofing & Sheet Metal Company; and United Bank. Gold level sponsors with donations of $5,000 or more include: Bill Leachman; Bowles Rice LLP; Deluxe; Family Carpet, FIS; Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield; Richard Adams; The PM Company; and Visa. Silver level sponsors with donations of $1,000 or more include: 49 local businesses and community members. Several other businesses and individuals also contributed to this year’s event, providing personal donations, and serving as hole sponsors, helping to make the 2024 fundraiser the most successful year yet.

“Because of United Bank, the Kids Golf Classic, and all our generous donors, elementary-age members pay a mere $20 annually, and teen members pay $0 to be members of the Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg. Every kid who wants to attend the Club should be able to no matter their financial situation. Clubs are for all kids, and we are so grateful that our community allows us to continue serving those that need us most,” said Reins.

United Bank underwrites the cost of the fundraising event, so that 100 percent of the funds raised by way of entry fees, sponsorships, and donations directly benefit the local organization.

“We are honored to be able to bring the community together each year for such a good cause. The continued success of the Kids Golf Classic after 28 years is a testament to the amazing work of the Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg and the dedication of our community to the Mid-Ohio Valley youth and ensuring their future success,” said Chad Mildren, Chairman of the Tournament and EVP, Chief Consumer Banking Officer of United Bank. “United is proud to present this fundraising platform, and we are grateful to everyone who helped to reach this record-breaking donation amount, during a milestone 60-year anniversary for the Club. We want to thank the people and local businesses who supported the Kids Golf Classic today and each year, Lynn and the staff at the Boys & Girls Club for their tireless dedication to our community’s young people, as well as the kids and families of the Club who make the decisions each day to spend their time in a positive environment.”

About United Bank

United Bank is a premier community bank and a subsidiary of United Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: UBSI), the largest publicly traded company headquartered in West Virginia. United has consolidated assets of approximately $30 billion with more than 225 offices located throughout West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, as well as Washington, D.C. The Bank is dedicated to growing the relationships it has built since 1839 and offering a competitive suite of banking and lending products, treasury management, wealth management, mortgage services, personal and business credit cards, and more. Learn more about United Bank.

About the Boys & Girls Club

The Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg opened its doors in 1964 with a continuous mission of enabling all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring adults. The Club is celebrating 60 years of youth development in Parkersburg/Wood County in 2024 with tens of thousands of youths, teens, and families served. The Club has four priority outcomes it strives to enable all members to achieve: academic success, healthy lifestyles, good character & leadership, and life & workforce readiness. For more information, visit bgcparkersburg.org.