The Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County is proud to announce Lake Stevens residents Rhonda and Rich Mietzneras chairs of the 2026 Reach for the Stars Grand Gala.

For more than two decades, Rhonda and Rich have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to creating opportunities for young people in their community. Their involvement with the Lake Stevens Boys & Girls Club began in 2002, driven by a shared desire to give back and help create a safe, welcoming and fun environment where local kids could learn, grow and develop critical life skills. Rhonda deepened that commitment in 2007 when she joined the Club’s Board of Directors.

For Rich, the Boys & Girls Club mission has always been deeply personal. Growing up as a “Club kid” in Seattle, he spent much of his youth in his neighborhood Club’s gymnasium. That firsthand experience inspired him to join the steering committee charged with transforming the former Lake Stevens Senior Center into a permanent Boys & Girls Club.

At the committee’s very first meeting, Rich recognized that the proposed plans were missing something essential: a gymnasium. He immediately partnered with a designer friend to create a gym layout and add it to the official site plan before the committee’s next meeting. The group embraced the vision, moving forward with the remodel of the Senior Center while setting aside funding for the gymnasium as Phase II of the project.

Years later, Rhonda and Rich stepped forward once again, helping design the Dan Pratt Memorial Teen Center and continuing their work to ensure Lake Stevens youth have spaces designed specifically for them.

Their leadership, creativity and willingness to take action have helped shape the Lake Stevens Club into the important community resource it is today.

“We have always found tremendous joy in being deeply connected to our community and supporting its young people,” Rhonda and Rich said. “We are honored to chair the 2026 Grand Gala and help create even more opportunities for Club kids throughout Snohomish County.”

As Grand Gala chairs, Rhonda and Rich will help bring together community leaders, businesses and supporters for an unforgettable evening benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County.

The 2026 Reach for the Stars Grand Gala will be held Saturday, October 17, at Tulalip Resort Casino. Guests will enjoy an inspiring evening featuring dinner, an exciting auction and powerful stories of the impact Boys & Girls Clubs make in the lives of local youth.

Join Rhonda and Rich in helping every Club kid reach their full potential.

Purchase tickets, reserve a table or explore sponsorship opportunities at bgcsc.org/gala.