Parkersburg Country Club hosted the 30th annual Kids Classic on Monday. This year’s event raised a record-breaking $349,400 to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Parkersburg, which pushed the total to $5,155,000 since the event began. Pictured in the front row, from left: Amanda Bower, Cintas; Rhoni Burt, CAS Cable; Pat Minnite, The PM Company; Matt Cooke, Astorg Motor Company; Tres Ross, The Ross Foundation; Darlene Murphy, The Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg; Mary Anne Ketelsen and Mary M. Welch, Advised Fund of the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation; Richard Adams, United Bank; Ryan Fitzer, Intra-State Insurance Agency; Chad Mildren, United Bank; Jason Minnite, The PM Company. Second row: Ryan Kent, Bowles Rice; Tim Matheny, Matheny Motor Truck Co.; John Padden, Reagle & Padden; Charlie Taylor, UCCI; Jamie Carr, Worldpay; John Ralsten, Family Carpet; Jason Landers, Highmark West Virginia. Third row: Brian Little, Deluxe; Tim Northrup; Carter Stone, Tri-State Roofing; Randy Rogers, Murray Sheet Metal; John Fanta, Henry Logan Children’s Home (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

VIENNA – The 30th anniversary of the Kids Classic had several reasons to celebrate during Monday’s event, which benefited the Boys and Girls Clubs of Parkersburg.

The golf outing at Parkersburg Country Club gave first-year Boys and Girls Clubs CEO Darlene Murphy an opportunity to express her gratitude to United Bank, along with Executive Chairman of the Board of United Bankshares, Inc., Richard Adams for raising a record-breaking $349,400.

“Over 30 years ago, former United Senior Vice President Chuck Roberts came to me and said the Boys and Girls Club was having financial difficulties,” Adams said. “As a former Club kid himself, Chuck was adamant that we find a way to help. With the help of many, the tournament has been a tremendous success.

“I remember that Kodak commercial where it said celebrate the moments in your life, and you know, this is certainly something for all of us in the community to celebrate. The Boys and Girls Club is a fantastic organization.”

Murphy, along with Boys and Girls Clubs Director of Resource of Development Candice Black, attended the day’s event and were present for the announcement stating the Kids Classic had surpassed $5 million since the event was founded in 1997.

Andria Wymer from Bridgeport reacts to a putt on hole No. 1 during Monday’s Kids Classic at Parkersburg Country Club. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

“Our longstanding partnership with United Bank through the Kids Golf Classic continues to make a tremendous impact on the youth and families we serve across our community,” Murphy said. “As the Boys and Girls Club of Parkersburg has more than tripled over the last two years, support from events like this has become more important than ever. These funds help ensure our kids have access to academic support, leadership development opportunities, sports and recreation, healthy lifestyle and most importantly the consistent, caring adults who help guide them toward becoming productive, caring and responsible adults.

“The needs in our community continue to grow and so does the responsibility to meet those needs. Parkersburg needs Club kids and we are appreciative to all who contribute and take part in this annual event.”

Black joined Murphy at Monday’s golf outing. The two ladies have spent several years at the facility, but they attended for the first time and were impressed. Especially with the new van parked nearby thanks to an anonymous donor.

“What I’ve enjoyed most is getting to meet other people in the community, and especially having relationships and connections with our donors who we appreciate so much for all they do for us,” Black said. “We are really appreciative to our friends at United Bank for making this such an easy process and being so instrumental for us to have funding to help our kids. Today accounts for about a quarter of our annual budget, so we are very blessed.

“I’m just really excited to actually be a part of it because I have heard about it so much for the past two years. It just made sense for Darlene and myself to be here. Because of my position at the club, I am directly involved with our donors and maintaining that stewardship.”

Bryan Fetty from St. Marys watches his drive on the 10th tee during Monday’s Kids Classic at Parkersburg Country Club. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

According to Murphy, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Parkersburg is open to anyone ages 6 to 18, and completed their first day of kindergarten. Several renovation plans are in the works outside the facility, such as adding a pickleball court, tennis court, a brand new basketball court playground along with a new shelter and upgrading the parking.

“For nearly three decades, the Kids Golf Classic has been an important part of United Bank’s commitment to supporting the Parkersburg community and the Boys and Girls Club’s mission of serving local youth,” said Chad Mildren, Chairman of the tournament and EVP, Chief Consumer Lending Officer of United Bank. “Over the years, we have seen the lasting impact this organization has had on generations of children and families, and it has been a privilege to support a cause that continues to strengthen our community,”

The Boys and Girls Club of Parkersburg received a new vehicle from an anonymous donor at Monday’s Kids Classic played at Parkersburg Country Club. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)