Lives are being transformed as a result of the work of the Boys & Girls Club of the Bighorns. A record number of attendees contributed over $44,500 at the 6th Annual Awards & Recognition Breakfast. The event was held at the Boys & Girls Club of the Bighorns on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021.

The event honored long-time Johnson County resident and volunteer Edie Taffner. In addition to being a homemaker and the mother of four children, Ms. Taffner worked more than two decades for the Johnson County Co-op and MDU, retiring in 1993. In her “retirement,” she went on to work part-time at First Interstate Bank. Her service to the community, state, and nation started over 50 years ago when she joined the American Legion Auxiliary. She served on the board for the Community Resource Center and the Boys & Girls Club of the Bighorns for many years.  She currently serves as treasurer for the Senior Citizens Foundation Board, an office she’s held since 2000. Edie is also an active member of the First United Methodist Church.

Former Denver Broncos’ Captain and All-Pro Linebacker Karl Mecklenburg presented a keynote address. He challenged those in the crowd to never give up, but to always keep pushing forward. He shared how the Boys & Girls Club of the Bighorns shapes young people’s lives by helping them discover their passions, and he asked the audience to give generously of their time and resources to support the Club’s work.  “This is your community; these are your kids,” he said.

The Boys & Girls Club of the Bighorns has grown over 400% in the past four years and serves over 210 youth. The Club provides after school programming to foster positive youth development, while also helping youth build trusting relationships with adults and peers. Youth receive academic support through homework help and are given opportunities to discover and cultivate personal interests. Club programs are centered on traditional life-skills, such as outdoor education, sewing, cooking, gardening, archery and more to help raise healthy and well-adjusted leaders-of-tomorrow.

Director of Operations, Scott Musselman, said, “It was an incredible morning. I was overwhelmed by the turn-out from the community to honor Edie and support the Club. The event demonstrated how awesome Buffalo is and the tremendous support that the Club has received over the years.”