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The Glinda the Good Witch Silent Auction featured dozens of unique and luxury items in the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow sections where competition was high for prizes. |
Auction: Hundreds follow the Yellow Brick Road to benefit Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley
February 17, 2016
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Hundreds of guests followed the Yellow Brick Road to spend An Enchanted Evening in the Land of Oz to benefit the Munchkins at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Clara Valley.
The 12th annual dinner-auction was held February 6 at Saticoy Country Club where lifelike standup characters, rainbows, red sparkly shoes and the Emerald City — two actually at the Head Tables — showed guests they weren’t in Kansas anymore.
Dana Onstot and Gina Marquez wore emerald green while Supervisor Kathy Long sported red shoes although she admitted to being outdone by the red glittered foot ware of Club CEO Jan Marholin. Seana Marie-Sesma opted to mimic the non-evil Wicked Witch of the East; other guests with jewelry or accessories showed their appreciation of the beloved 1939 “Wizard of Oz” film.
The Glinda the Good Witch Silent Auction featured dozens of unique and luxury items in the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow sections where competition was high for prizes.
All Anitra Sommer needed was the right chapeau for her elaborately sequined and beaded dress to have been mistaken for Glinda.
“I can’t believe all these honeys,” included with the elaborate tea set she was eyeing in the Silent Auction, just one of many items that was drawing bid after bid.
“The energy in the room is really electric,” said Marholin who noted the celebration had been a sell out well in advance.
“We have a huge crowd!” that filled additional seating provided for this year’s dinner-auction.
“Welcome to the Land of Oz!” B&GCSCV Board President Ari Larson told the crowd that included Santa Paula Mayor Martin Hernandez, Councilwoman Ginger Gherardi and Camarillo Mayor Mike Morgan.
During dinner Eve Reeves talked about her time as a club Board Director and although sidelined for several years, “I still really support the club…it’s wonderful for the children!”
Vickie Berumen attended with family members several like herself employees of Limoneira Co. and sitting at the sponsor’s table.
Berumen noted she had worked for the company since starting as a part timer in high school.
And she’s attended club dinner-auctions three or four times: “I want to support the kids,” she noted, “and we like the Silent Auction…it’s fun!”
“I have no pride asking you for money each year,” Marholin told the crowd. “Tonight is particularly exciting…we can’t do the work we do without your support,” in fundraising.
She also thanked the staff for their hard work and serving as mentors and inspiration to Club Kids.
Also in for kudos was Supervisor Long for her support in obtaining funding needed to open a club in Piru, a new venture that said Marholin that has greatly exceeded estimated enrollment.
Clubs offer an ever growing list of activities and programs with a strong emphasis on education running from STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) and Future Farmers of America on growing food gardens to partnering with Santa Paula Union High School to secure summer school teachers.
Such programs and others said Marholin “Gives our kids more opportunities, they’re an investment,” in the future of the community and country.
California State University Channel Islands is also a resource as well as generous donors including the McGrath Family, which has funded the Tom McGrath Teen Study Center in honor of the late club director and strong booster of youth.
A treat for guests was the appearance of Raquel Michel, mother to Club Kids Jolyssa, Isaiah, and Joel Macias who told of their club experiences.
The children are picked up, helped with homework, “Are safe and okay” at the B&GCSCV said Michel, who noted that during the summer months the kids startclamoring to go to the club “At 6 a.m.!
“Thank you for helping and caring,” she noted.
Auctioneer Jeff Tanenbaum kept the bids going and the money rolling for more than two dozen Live Auction items ranging from beach vacations — including Maui — and personalized dinners at local ranches and hillside homes to flying with a day sail or airplane flight to a Catalina Island lunch. Training with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Special Units and dining at the station with the VC Fire Department were popular with bidders as was a special package for a Lakers VIP Experience.
Top prizes included two Head Tables — again won by John Macik and Guy Cole – which went for $5,000 each. The Indianapolis 500 VIP Package for the 100th running of the famed race where Christine Law (and we’re guessing husband Charles!) will be the guest of famed Indy driver Charlie Kimball, Ventura County’s hometown hero and a Faria Beach week-long vacation also brought top funding to The Positive Place for Kids.
“We talk about wine and vacations,” and other prizes to be enjoyed but Tanenbaum urged guests to “Take this opportunity for the feeling of making a difference,” by Standing Up for Kids and donating directly to the club.
The request was met with strong support proving that somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue — and the dreams that Club Kids dare to dream really do come true.
