Bids for Kids Fundraiser Benefits Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley

Sponsors Help Fund After-School Programs for Nearly 30,000 East Valley Youth

TEMPE, Ariz – The 32nd Annual Bids for Kids Auction & Dinner brings in $352,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley. The event was held Saturday, November 21 at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa in the Gila River Indian Community outside Chandler. Money raised will go directly towards character-building Club programs.

“We’ve seen the total amount we make at Bids for Kids decrease in the last couple years, but nonetheless we are appreciative for what the community does for us,” said president/CEO Ramon Elias. “Funds raised will help our club kids and teens secure great futures by funding important after-school programs like Power Hour which makes sure kids do their homework as soon as they get to the club from school, Keystone which teaches them important leadership skills, plus so many other programs helping make the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley the Positive Place for Kids.”

Some items up for auction included a Paddock Play Pool, an eco-friendly 2010 Chevy Cobalt donated by Chapman Chevrolet, jewelry from Ganem Jewelers and the cover of Kids Celebrate Magazine. The evening’s honoree was The Tempe Diablos for 25 years of support to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley and 3TV’s Beverly Kidd hosted the event. Major sponsors of Bids for Kids included Toyota Financial Services, Gila River Gaming Enterprises and Coronado West.

“This year’s theme was BE GREAT” said Bids for Kids Chairman Jeanne Forbis of Intel. “It’s during times like these that our community needs to step up and influence our youth to be great. I’m very proud of the funds our Bids for Kids committee was able to raise this year.” About 450 supporters and sponsors of Bids for Kids attended the dinner.

Published on behalf of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley serves more than 30,000 children and teens annually, and continues to grow to meet the needs of today’s youth, providing a positive place for all kids and teens. Serving members in Apache Junction, Chandler, Gilbert, Guadalupe, Mesa, Tempe, Queen Creek, and the Gila River Indian Community, programs are offered after school and during the summer and provide youth and teens, ages 6 – 18, with fun and educational activities, supervised by professional staff. The Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley’s annual membership fee is only $20 dollars a year and financial assistance is available. No child is ever turned away if they are unable to pay the fee. For more information, visit www.clubzona.org.

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