Boys & Girls Club celebrates 20 years in Barren County
The evening brought together supporters and community members to mark two decades of the Club serving children in Barren County.
LUCAS, Ky. — Dozens of community members gathered at Barren Breeze Bed and Breakfast Saturday evening to celebrate 20 years of the Boys & Girls Club of Glasgow and Barren County.
The Club’s 20th jubilee featured live music, oyster shucking, performances by Club youth and a variety of auctions. The evening brought together supporters and community members to mark two decades of the Club serving children in Barren County.
Brennan Crain
Local muralist and artist Casey Page also contributed to the celebration, painting a piece that was auctioned for $1,600. The artwork was purchased by Micah Guilfoil-Payne.
Kellie McKay of Commonwealth Broadcasting emceed the event, highlighting the organization’s history and continued work in the community.
“If you’ve never been to the Club,” McKay said through tears, “those kids are amazing. Go check it out.”
James-Anna Soto, a Glasgow High School senior, shared how much the Club helped her family after they relocated to Glasgow following her father’s death in another state.
As her mother navigated life as a single parent, Soto said the Club became an important source of community and support for her, her brother and her mother.
The Club launched Sept. 14, 2006, after being founded by Ruell Houchens and originally housed at the Bunche Center in Glasgow. Today, the Club is located in the former New Farmers National Bank building in Glasgow.
Kelly Guilfoil Craft and her husband, Joe Craft, have also supported the Club in recent years, making pledges totaling millions of dollars. The Crafts donated $2 million to help fund the Club’s move to the former bank building.
Looking ahead, the Club plans to expand its Columbia Avenue campus, known as the Craft Innovation Campus, with a new sports and recreation center. The facility will be named the Guilfoil Recreation Center at the Craft Innovation Campus.
Club leaders say the proposed facility would be a large, single-story building with at least two middle school-sized basketball courts, batting cages, classroom space and a stage area.
The community is encouraged to tour the facility and learn more about the Club.
