The Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica’s 38th Annual Auction & Dinner was a huge success, raising more than $500,000 on Friday, Nov. 1.
Held at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows in Santa Monica, the event honored local real estate businessman John D. (Jack) Jones, who recently donated $1 million to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica, and the Community Corporation of Santa Monica, a nonprofit organization that develops and manages affordable housing.
His $1 million contribution will help to renovate, expand and sustain the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica’s newest Club site – the Boys & Girls Club of Mar Vista Gardens: The Jack and Cindy Jones Youth Center.
Presented by US Bank, the Auction and Dinner also included a robust silent and live auction featuring items such as a $24,000 Corum watch, an all-inclusive Costa Rica getaway, an original print by Andy Warhol, and a seven-night stay at a private Villa in Bali.
Though it was a fun and exciting evening, the underlying goal was to raise funds for the children who need it most.
“Our mission is to provide a safe and nurturing environment to develop and learn, and to enable youth to reach their full potential as caring, responsible and productive citizens,” said Aaron Young, CEO and President of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica. “We are thrilled that this year’s event raised more than $500K, the most in Auction history, and will allow us to help even more disadvantaged youth in the Los Angeles area.
“We also want to thank our generous donors, sponsors and partners for their support, and the children, whose presence and participation at the event highlighted why we are all so committed to the success of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica.”
The evening’s energy hit the roof when the exceptional auctiontainer Letitia Frye took the stage, followed by a special performance by Louis Price, club alumnus and former lead singer of the Temptations who sang a classic medley of “My Girl,” “Ain’t to Proud to Beg,” and “Stand by Me.”
