Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver Marks 65 Years of Impact

DENVER, April 24, 2026 — Sixty-five years ago, kids lined up overnight outside a small Denver Boys Club; some wrapped in sleeping bags, waiting for a membership card. They weren’t chasing entertainment — they were seeking a place where they felt seen, safe, and supported. 

That belief still drives Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver today. 

On Saturday, April 25, community and business leaders will gather at the Hyatt Regency Denver for the organization’s 2026 Gala: Treasuring the Journey, celebrating 65 years of supporting youth and raising critical funds to meet the growing needs of kids and teens across the metro area. 

Suncor Energy U.S.A. returns as the Presenting Sponsor of the gala, continuing a nearly two-decade partnership that has invested more than $5 million in local youth. Suncor’s support began with after‑school programming at Commerce City’s Kearney Middle School and expanded to help establish the Suncor Boys & Girls Club—providing a stable, welcoming environment where young people build confidence, connection, and skills for the future. 

"We are incredibly grateful for Suncor’s unwavering commitment to our Club kids and our mission,” said Erin Porteous, Chief Executive Officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver. "Their sponsorship of this vital fundraising event provides Denver’s youth with the resources and support they need to grow, thrive, and reach their full potential." 

Today, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver serves about 2,500 kids each day across 25 Clubs, including neighborhood Clubs and school-based sites. As demand for safe, enriching spaces continues to rise, funding from the gala supports academic success, workforce readiness, and social emotional development during the critical hours when kids are not in school. 

“Having witnessed the transformative power Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver has on kids in our community, I’m incredibly proud that Suncor’s continuing support helps young people build confident futures,” said Janell Joshua, Strategy Manager for Suncor U.S.A. and Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver Board Member.  

For 65 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver has evolved alongside the city it serves—welcoming girls in the 1990s, expanding into new neighborhoods, and growing school‑based programming across the region. What hasn’t changed is the promise behind every open door: caring mentors, trusted relationships, and opportunities that help kids imagine—and achieve—a brighter future. 

For more information about the 2026 Gala: Treasuring the Journey, presented by Suncor, visit www.bgcmd.org/gala.