SLV Boys & Girls Clubs rake in $65,000-plus

SAN LUIS VALLEY —The Boys & Girls Clubs of the San Luis Valley held our annual Masquerade Ball, on Oct. 26.

It is the biggest fundraiser benefiting the Clubs. The event brought together an amazing group of supporters who made the event a success raising over $65,000. The Clubs made a commitment to serving more youth, more often with deeper impact. The success of the event enables us to do just that. Executive Director, Aaron Miltenberger said, “the amount of support in our community is what makes our work possible. It is because of the commitment from local businesses and the 150 plus individuals who came out that we are able to serve more youth, more often, with a deeper impact.” The night had both a silent and live auction, with packages ranging from cords of wood to three-night stays at the four-star 4-U-R Ranch. Amazing desserts were auctioned off to the highest bidding table, but the biggest contributions came to fund specific needs like a week of summer programs or a year of snack for a member.

The Club is full of activity during after school times. We have seen a 20% increase in the number of young people we see daily and memberships are soaring. This is a result of a renewed focus on high-quality Club experiences and project-based learning experiences. Increased services result in increased costs. The average monthly cost of services is $250 per member; we only charge $10 per member per month. All additional costs are covered by investments made by our supporters. This highlights the importance of events such as the annual Masquerade Ball and the supporters who make it a reality by committing to help the Club. Event chair, Judy McNeilsmiths said, “we want to thank Adams State University and Sodexo for being such wonderful hosts. Everyone who came out had a great night celebrating the successes of this past year and ensuring that we are creating a future for all of our kids to be great.” Together we ensure that all youth, especially those who need us most, realize their full potential as responsible, caring and productive citizens of a richly diverse world.