The fundraising effort for the fledgling Boys and Girls Club of the Valleys got a big boost New Year’s Eve at what organizers hope will become a series of gala events.
Held at Bruno’s Barbecue in Scotts Valley, the 21-and-up event featured food, drinks, live music, and a raffle for a fully loaded 2001 BMW X5 luxury sport-utility vehicle; all to raise funds toward renovation of the former RV dealership at the intersection of Scotts Valley Drive and El Pueblo Road into a state-of-the-art facility for the youth of Scotts Valley and the San Lorenzo Valley.
The winner of the BMW was Santa Cruz resident Carolyn Auman, who also serves at the secretary for the Boys and Girls Club of the Valleys’ board of directors.
“I was so thrilled that it was one of our members that won,” said Linda Aliberti — the main benefactor of the Boys and Girls Club of the Valleys along with her husband, Joe Aliberti — on Friday, Jan. 10, when Auman received the keys.
Auman said that she was excited, not only to have won the vehicle, but for the future of the Boys and Girls Club of the Valleys.
According to Joe Aliberti, between the donations received and the funds raised through the gala and the raffle for the car, the evening generated about $18,000.
In November, the Alibertis estimated that it would cost between $400,000 and $450,000 to cover the renovation costs and the operating costs for the first year of the facility, which could open sometime this year, depending on fundraising.
To contact the Boys and Girls Club of the Valleys, call 426-3081, or mail to 5610 Scotts Valley Drive, Suite B, PMB 381, Scotts Valley, Calif. 95066.
