Lake Stevens native Chris Pratt in his latest role, in the movie “The Magnificent Seven.” See a review of the movie in the link below. (Sam Emerson/Columbia Pictures/TNS)

Lake Stevens native Chris Pratt in his latest role, in the movie “The Magnificent Seven.” See a review of the movie in the link below. (Sam Emerson/Columbia Pictures/TNS)

Chris Pratt raffle raises $485K for Lake Stevens Boys & Girls Club

Robert Horton reviews Chris Pratt’s new movie, “The Magnificent Seven”

LAKE STEVENS — The Lake Stevens Boys & Girls Club is getting ready to build a teen center almost twice the size of the one originally planned after a star-fueled raffle brought in $485,000 and helped shatter the organization’s fundraising goal.

In the spring, Hollywood actor Chris Pratt was the prize in a raffle to raise money for the club. Pratt is a Lake Stevens High School graduate and said in a video promoting the fundraiser that as a teen, the community center was where he went to stay out of trouble.

“I loved the idea of using the influence I have to create a space for kids to go have clean, healthy fun,” he said.

People from around the world bought the $10 raffle tickets for a chance to win a trip to hang out with Pratt on the set of “Guardians of the Galaxy 2,” the sequel to the 2014 blockbuster starring Pratt as comic book hero Star-Lord. A Connecticut woman won the trip and went with her daughters, according to Omaze, the organization that ran the fundraiser.

The $485,000 from the Pratt fundraiser is part of a $845,000 grand total for the project, Lake Stevens club director Mike Wetmore said Thursday. Locally, $240,000 was raised, and the club also received some state money. Originally, the goal was to raise $550,000, though that was before the raffle was created, he said.

Instead of a 1,500-square-foot teen center, the club now plans to build a 2,800-square-foot center. Designs call for a full-size kitchen for cooking classes, an area with computers equipped with video editing software, a game room with additional computers and internet access for homework and projects, and plenty of seating on couches and at tables for teens to do schoolwork or pass the time together.

To keep up with the new space, the club is adding a teen center director position and at least one other worker. They’ll be able to offer cooking, babysitting, video editing, resume building and job interview classes, among other new programs, Wetmore said.

The money also is being used to put a new roof on the rest of the club. There have been leaks in the 12-year-old roof and it’s past due for a replacement, Wetmore said. The building also is expected to get fresh paint and other minor upgrades. Wetmore hopes the money will cover the cost of a new van to transport teens around the county to club-related events and activities.

This year, Wetmore expects to have 2,300 members at the Lake Stevens club. More than 300 kids and teens use the club each day, including the childcare and sports programs. Up until now, there hasn’t been a space for teens to work and play separate from the little kids. That has limited the ability of the club to put on programs for teens and give them a safe place to go after school or on breaks.

The Lake Stevens Boys & Girls Club has applied to the city for permits and the goal is to start work this fall, if the permitting and weather allow.

“Before the rain gets here, we’d like to get the project started,” Wetmore said. “You have to get the foundation done before the rains arrive.”

If the foundation gets finished this fall, the teen center could open as soon as this spring. Otherwise, it would likely open near the start of next school year, Wetmore said.

Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

More in Local News

A few weeks before what could be her final professional UFC fight, Miranda Granger grimaces as she pushes a 45-pound plate up her driveway on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, in Lake Stevens, Washington. Her daughter Austin, age 11 months, is strapped to her back. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Daily Herald staff wins 5 honors at annual journalism competition

The Herald got one first-place win and four runner-up spots in SPJ’s Northwest Excellence in Journalism contest.

Panelists from different areas of mental health care speak at the Herald Forum about mental health care on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
At panel, mental health experts brainstorm answers to staff shortages

Workforce shortages, insurance coverage and crisis response were in focus at the Snohomish forum hosted by The Daily Herald.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Report of downed hot air balloon turns up farmer’s tarp near Snohomish

Two 911 callers believed they saw a hot air balloon crash, leading to a major search-and-rescue response. It was a false alarm.

People gather for a color throw at Stanwood and Camano’s first-ever Pride celebration on Saturday, June 4, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘We’ve at least come a little ways’: Snohomish to host first Pride event

A 10 a.m. parade on First Street will be followed by a pop-up market with 60 vendors, a downtown wine walk, queer cabaret and more.

The site of a former 76 gas station and a handful of century old buildings will be the location for new apartments buildings at the corner of Pacific and Rucker on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Old gas station demolished for apartments in downtown Everett

A 200-unit apartment complex between three and seven stories tall is proposed at Pacific and Rucker avenues.

Kamiak High School is pictured Friday, July 8, 2022, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Kamiak football coach fired amid sexual misconduct investigation

Police believe Julian Willis, 34, sexually abused the student in portable classrooms on Kamiak High School’s campus.

Marysville
Police: Marysville man fist-bumped cop, exposing tattoos of wanted robber

The suspect told police he robbed three stores to pay off a drug debt. He’d just been released from federal prison for another armed robbery.

Everett
Cat killed, 9 people displaced after duplex fire in Everett

None of the people were injured in the fire reported around 1:15 a.m. in the 11500 block of Meridian Avenue S.

Gabriela Kelpe at her home on Friday, June 2, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Long waits, big bills: Everett mom’s painful search for dental care

When she learned she needed a root canal, Gabriela Kelpe read an infection could go to her unborn baby. But she struggled to get affordable care.

Most Read