On behalf of the over 4,000 children served annually by the Boys and Girls Club of the Kenai Peninsula at any of our 7 locations on the Kenai from Nikiski to Seward, we’d like to express a sincere, heartfelt “thank you” to all who helped make the 2015 Annual Auction Gala a raging success.
After months of hard work and preparation by volunteers, employees and board members, the Boys and Girls Club of the Kenai Peninsula Annual Auction Gala was held in November in Kenai. Nearly 500 attendees entered into a transformed space decorated with a “Where there is Goodness, There is Magic” theme. The “magic” was apparent throughout the evening.
A special thanks to Erin’s team of amazing, committed community members dedicated to the children of the Kenai who found time between raising kids and making a living as they worked in locations around town preparing for the event. We’d like to recognize the team, which included: Sue Stein, Erin Slemp, Marlene Pearson, Missy Bever, Tim Navarre, Stephanie Hunt, Gina DeBardelaben, Jackie Renfro, Sara Pozonsky, Robin Forsi, Carol Bannock, Audrey Walazek, Scott Best, Sandra Sterling, Wendy Focose and Felicia Jones.
As the event began, it was apparent that the many moving parts of the well-oiled Boys and Girls Club event machine were seamlessly orchestrated, and frankly, a lot of fun. There were games, a silent and a live auction.
Several large items were raffled with the highlight of the evening being the drawing of the winning ticket for a 2016 Polaris Ranger 570 EPS.
Erin and I are greatly appreciative for the generosity of the people of the Kenai. We wanted to take this opportunity to thank the hundreds of contributors and participants from throughout Alaska for their support.
Thanks to Tesoro (the main sponsor), Governor Walker who not only attended, but also contributed and Diane Kaplan from Rasmussen who presented us with a $25,000 check. The Kenai Peninsula Sportsmen’s Association presented us with $50,000 and Apache and the T-200 Team contributed over $18,000 from their Rainbow Challenge fishing event. We also recognized Credit Union 1 for their generosity as well as the guides from the Kenai River Foundation for annually taking our kids fishing.
The record attendance and funding realized from this year’s gala demonstrates that even as the economy tightens, Alaskans continue to support services they see as of key importance toward our collective community success.
Again, a sincere thanks to the many generous community members, sponsors, organizations, Alaskan corporations, board, staff and event attendees that have once again stepped up the plate to support a service critical to the children and families of the Kenai Peninsula. Such generosity demonstrates just one of many reasons for the deep pride we feel for being honored to live in Alaska and to represent the generous community members of the Kenai Peninsula.
With Warm Holiday Regards and Appreciation,
Senator Peter and Erin Micciche
2015 Boys and Girls Club of the Kenai Annual Auction Gala Co-Chairs