Boys & Girls Club of Crawford County welcomes first students in Robinson, Illinois
Community News
Robinson, Illinois, Foundation
Key Points
- The new year marked the realization of a longtime dream as the Boys & Girls Club of Crawford County, Illinois, officially opened its doors.
- This long-awaited chapter, years in the making, became a reality through a dedicated community effort, with key support from Marathon Petroleum’s Robinson refinery.
- The club, initially focusing on kids from kindergarten through 5th grade, provides tutoring, sports, and life skills programs led by dedicated local teacher volunteers.
The new year brings new opportunities for the young people of Crawford County, Illinois, with the opening of the Boys & Girls Club of Crawford County on Jan. 13. This milestone marks the culmination of years of dedicated efforts by the community, passionate leadership and a shared vision to empower the area’s youth to learn, grow and thrive.
Marathon Petroleum’s Robinson refinery played a key role in bringing this dream to life. In partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Evansville, the refinery worked with community leaders to raise essential funds and make the project a reality. Their combined efforts and determination have created a lasting resource for local youth.

"We’re thrilled to see all the hard work and collaboration come to life with the opening of the Boys & Girls Club," said Amy Macak, General Manager of the Robinson refinery and a member of its advisory board. "Knowing this will make a real difference for kids in our community is what makes it all so rewarding."
“Knowing this will make a real difference for kids in our community is what makes it all so rewarding."
Finding a suitable space was one of the early challenges organizers faced. The refinery addressed this by offering its former training building, located just east of Robinson, to the Boys & Girls Club for $10 per year. Renovations were managed by SENCO Construction, led by Chad Brown, a member of the Crawford County Youth Alliance Board and a dedicated advocate for the project.
"This has been a passion project for so many of us here in Crawford County," Brown said. "We wanted to create a space where kids can feel supported, grow and have access to opportunities that keep them on a positive path."
The club’s mission is to serve children from kindergarten to 12th grade, with an initial focus on students from kindergarten to 5th grade. It offers tutoring, sports and life skills programs, supported by local teachers who volunteer to help students succeed in school and beyond.

"The overwhelming community support made it clear just how much a facility like this was needed," said Matty McCasland, Unit Director for the Boys & Girls Club of Crawford County. "With so many families seeing the club as a lifeline, we are committed to empowering all young people especially those who need us most to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens."
In February 2024, the refinery co-sponsored a fundraising event with the Boys & Girls Club of Evansville, raising over $140,000 to support the project. With the club now open, a second gala is planned for this February to help to ensure additional funding and continued success for the local chapter.
