Boys Girls Clubs exceed auction goal

Club alumni return to share success stories

At their 33rd-annual auction, leaders with the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula brought back some familiar faces to its clubs virtually while exceeding their financial goal for the evening.

Under the tagline “Oh the Places You’ll Go!,” the Nov. 13 virtual event featured live and silent auctions, a testimonial from Youth of the Year Pearl Peterson, and interviews with a handful of former club members.

For the auction, Janet Gray, the clubs’ resource development director, said the organization wanted to match or exceed last year’s goal of $276,000, and thanks to matching grants from an anonymous donor, they received $25,000, putting the clubs at about $284,000 in fundraising last week.

Most of the silent auction items went for fair market value or more, she said.

Fundraising remains ongoing, and those looking to support the clubs can call 360-683-8095 or visit bgc-op.org to help.

Former club members shared some of their favorite memories and their journeys for a short film by cinematographer Matt Sagen of Cascadia Films.

Thomas Gallagher, now a 7 Cedars Casino employee, spoke about playing Foosball with former staffer Michael Smith at the Sequim club, and how a club fundraiser for travel helped start him on a path to go to Georgetown University. Others shared about how the clubs in Sequim and Port Angeles helped them with school, confidence, and friendship.

Lillian Allen, an orthodontic lab technician, said the club helped her to think about other people more.

“Everyone is dealing with something different,” she said. “There are so many different kids who come to the Boys & Girls Club, and having those friendships that I probably wouldn’t have had, made a difference in my life.”

Gray said club supporters got to see a “return on their investment and the clubs’ impact on a few kids’ lives.”

Both clubs host about 100 children with more being allowed in from waiting lists as leaders hire more staff to accommodate higher capacities, Gray said.

Mary Budke, executive director of the clubs, and Todd Ortloff, programming and technical manager for Radio Pacific, Inc., served as masters of ceremonies for the livestreamed event, which can be found at the clubs’ website.

Thomas Gallagher, a former Boys & Girls Club member, speaks to Janet Gray, the Sequim and Port Angeles’ clubs’ resource development director, for a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv2hwAWBX1c" target="_blank">short film</a> about how the club helped him on a path to college at Georgetown University. Photo courtesy Matt Sagen/ <a href="http://www.HelloCascadia.com" target="_blank">Cascadia Films </a>

Thomas Gallagher, a former Boys & Girls Club member, speaks to Janet Gray, the Sequim and Port Angeles’ clubs’ resource development director, for a short film about how the club helped him on a path to college at Georgetown University. Photo courtesy Matt Sagen/ Cascadia Films