Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley Raises $4.5 Million with Over $1 Million Investment from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation at Annual Stars Gala.

Funds raised will help make BGCAZ Summer Programs affordable for working families

The Event: Today’s Kids, Tomorrow’s Stars

The Cause: Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley (BGCAZ)

Mission: Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley empowers young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible members of the community. BGCAZ offers affordable after-school and summer programs for 16,000+ young people in grades K-12. At 30 clubs in 11 Valley cities, BGCAZ provides award-winning programs designed to change the lives of young people.

Honoree: Buzz Sands & Sands Chevrolet

Co-Chairs: Jody Sarchett and Basil Zaidi

Overview: The gala was hosted at the Westin Kierland, to honor Buzz Sands and Sands Chevrolet for their longtime commitment to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley and many other local organizations.

At the gala, Valley philanthropists and business leaders Bob & Renee Parsons surprised attendees by announcing a $1 million matching donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation to help make summer programs more affordable for working families. With the match quickly fulfilled by event attendees, the Parsons’ pledged additional support after the event, bringing the total to $1.4 million.

“Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley doesn’t skip a beat when addressing the needs of the children and families they serve,” said Bob Parsons, Co-Founder, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “The summer program is aimed at supporting youth and removing a financial burden from hard-working families. Renee and I are proud to help them reach that goal.”

“We were overjoyed by the support of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation and their investment in our kids for summer fun. Club kids and their parents rely on summer programs for academic enrichment, and all-day fun! We are focused on making summer camp affordable for all working families. Last year, thousands of new families joined BGCAZ for summer camp and we will make summer camp affordable for all families this summer thanks to this incredible gift,” said Marcia Mintz, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley.

The program also recognized 11 outstanding Club teens, the “Youth of the Year.” These Boys & Girls Clubs members have overcome incredible obstacles to succeed and shared their inspirational stories. The show was hosted by ABC 15’s Craig Fouhy, who was a volunteer coach at the Clubs many years ago.

In addition to hearing from the Youth of the Year representatives, guests enjoyed a large silent auction of items including concert experiences, high-end jewelry, restaurant experiences, sports memorabilia and an animated live auction of world-class vacations and items bidders can’t find anywhere else. For more information, visit https://www.bgcaz.org/stars/.

Quick Facts:

One of the highest-netting Valley galas with proceeds exclusively benefiting local Club programs (more than $4.5M raised)
800 guests including prominent Valley business leaders, philanthropists, and community supporters

Name: Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley (BGCAZ) – Today’s Kids, Tomorrow’s Stars

When: Saturday, March 4, 2022

Where: Westin Kierland

Visuals:

Dinner Program created by Michael Barnard, Producing Artistic Director, The Phoenix Theatre Company
Extensive silent auction and energetic live auction
Remarkable youth achievement from local Clubs and awarding the 2023 Youth of the Year

BGCAZ 2023 YOUTH OF THE YEAR: XITLALIC PORTILLO, Warner & Shirley Gabel Branch, North High School

Branch Candidates for Youth of the Year:

Ajah Scott, Ladmo Branch, Tempe High School
Andre Trevino, Louis & Elizabeth Sands Branch, Deer Valley High School
Anthony Flores, Thunderbirds Guadalupe Branch, Marcos De Niza High School
Daniel Ramirez, Swift Kids Branch, Glendale High School
David Garduno Saavedra, Ed Robson Family Branch, North Canyon High School
Donovan Lavergne, Chandler Compadres Branch, Chandler High School
Efrain Juarez, Harry & Sandy Rosenzweig Branch, Empower College Prep
Geraldmy Sauza, Jerry Colangelo Branch, Carl Hayden High School
Jose “Junior” Beltran, Spencer D. & Mary Jane Stewart Branch, Western School of Science & Technology
Josephine Rubio, Bob Bove Branch, a Thornwood Legacy, Agua Fria High School
Xitlalic Portillo, Warner A. Gabel Branch, North High School