BEDFORD—On Saturday, November 9, the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence County held its Annual Dinner and Auction. The event raises money to cover membership fees, fund programming, and other costs associated with the 350 kids attending afterschool programs across six sites daily. The evening began with a cocktail hour, during which guests could enjoy appetizers and drinks and peruse the auction items.
Ashley Gilstrap, Director of Resource and Development at the Club, opened the event with remarks about the evening and showed two videos of kids and teens discussing why they came to the Club (attached below). Steve Grissom, a teacher at Mitchell High School, spoke about astronauts and space, which matched the theme of the evening, tying it into being prepared for the Club’s exciting future. Cedar Hill Catering prepared dinner, and a video was shown that the Club’s high school intern from the North Lawrence Career Center wrote, directed, and produced with Club kids. After the video, Frank Decker, the Club’s Chief Professional Officer, provided updates and news.
Then, it was time for the live auction to begin, with Paul Wyman serving as auctioneer. Items were donated for auction by local individuals and businesses who support the club. A pair of racing gloves signed by local NASCAR star Chase Briscoe, a basketball signed by Damon Bailey, wine samplings, a trip to Hawaii, and Christmas items made by kids at the Club were some of the highlights on the auction block for the evening. New this year was the opportunity to sponsor the membership cost or the complete actual cost of sending a kid to the Club for a year.
The largest bid on an auction item on the evening was $2,200 for the trip to Hawaii, and the member sponsorships raised $21,000 alone. The total amount raised for the Club between the sponsorships and the auction was $42,000.
While the Boys and Girls Club charges $30 for a membership, the actual cost per child is approximately $750. Fundraising is critical to the Club, and if you want to donate to the cause, visit https://square.link/u/3zpMkoko to make a one-time gift or set-up a monthly donation. Additionally, donations can be mailed or dropped-off at 2009 19th St. in Bedford. Any questions can be directed to Ashley Gilstrap at agilstrap@bgcblc.org or 812-279-6123.
