Lake Stevens couple to chair Boys & Girls Clubs gala benefiting Everett youth

A Lake Stevens couple with more than two decades of youth advocacy will lead the Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County's biggest fundraiser this fall, an event that raises money for programs serving nearly 1,000 kids at the Everett Club alone.

The organization announced Thursday, July 16, that Rhonda and Rich Mietzner will chair the 2026 "Reach for the Stars" Grand Gala, set for Saturday, October 17, at Tulalip Resort Casino. Doors open at 5 p.m.

The evening will feature dinner, a live auction, and stories from club members across the county, according to the organization's gala page.

A gym that almost wasn't

Rich Mietzner grew up as a "Club kid" in Seattle, spending afternoons in his neighborhood club's gymnasium. That memory drove him onto the steering committee tasked with converting the former Lake Stevens Senior Center into a permanent Boys & Girls Club.

At the committee's first meeting, Rich noticed the blueprints had no gym. He partnered with a designer friend, drew up a layout, and brought it back before the next session.

The committee adopted the plan, completing the senior center remodel first and earmarking the gymnasium as Phase II.

Rhonda Mietzner's involvement with the Lake Stevens club dates to 2002. She joined the club's board of directors in 2007. Together, the couple later helped design the Dan Pratt Memorial Teen Center at the Lake Stevens location.

"We have always found tremendous joy in being deeply connected to our community and supporting its young people," the Mietzners said in the organization's announcement. "We are honored to chair the 2026 Grand Gala and help create even more opportunities for Club kids throughout Snohomish County."

Everett connection

The Everett Boys & Girls Club, at 2316 12th St. in North Everett across from Hawthorne Elementary, was the first club established in Snohomish County in 1946.

It serves nearly 1,000 members ages 5 to 18 each year with sports, summer camp, before-and after-school childcare, teen programs, and a free meal every weekday at 4:30 p.m.

Countywide, the organization operates 23 clubs and 16 school-based extension sites. The organization says the gala marks its 76th year serving Snohomish County youth.