By Madeline Zuckerman
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Anaheim-Cypress hosted their highly anticipated Annual “Ace Of Clubs” Casino Night to a sold out crowd of over 200 elegantly-attired guests at The Ranch Restaurant & Saloon in Anaheim.
The evening’s festivities commenced with an exclusive VIP Reception from 5:00 to 6:00 pm for Premier Event Sponsors. Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken, served as the event’s Honorary Chair, with Henry DiCarlo of KTLA Channel 5, serving as the evening’s Celebrity Emcee.
“It is such an honor to be here,” said Ashleigh Aitken, Mayor of Anaheim and Honorary Event Chair. “The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Anaheim-Cypress is dedicated to making sure the kids in Anaheim have the same experience I did. I was born and raised here and attended Anaheim schools growing up. I am a really proud resident of Anaheim, and truly believe that everyone should have the same opportunities I did. Thank you to the Boys & Girls Club for all the much-needed services and programs they provide the community.”
Major corporate sponsors and donors, as well as key city officials from Anaheim, Cypress, and the surrounding communities joined in the fun festivities, which included a hosted bar and hors d’oeuvres, scrumptious dinner, live & silent auctions, all types of Casino Games, live entertainment consisting of a Jazz Band, as well as, Magician John Guastaferro, who regularly performs at the legendary Magic Castle in Hollywood. A special highlight of the evening was when Anaheim Police Chief Jorge Cisneros and Cypress Police Chief Mark Lauderback took to the stage to competitively participate in the Fund A Need Paddle Raise portion of the program!
“We are proud to support The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Anaheim-Cypress, in their efforts to provide a place where thousands of community children can feel a sense of belonging, take charge of their lives, and strive to reach their full potential,” said Andrew C. Edwards, President & Owner of The Ranch Restaurant & Saloon and Founder & Chairman of Extron.
Extron & The Ranch Restaurant & Saloon was the Title Sponsor for the evening. Event Sponsors also included Related Management Company, Jeff’s Inviting Food & Spirits, Anaheim White House, Angels Baseball, Pacific Western Bank, Republic Services, US Bank, Workers United Local 50, The Emanuele Family Trust, Val & Anne Hertz-Mallari, Terrisa & Joe Ha, Alden & Linda Esping, Anaheim Public Utilities, Orange County Professional Firefighters Association, North OC Community College District, Dave Skorupinski & Ginger Osman, Kiwanis Club of Greater Anaheim, Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cypress, SA Recycling, Barry Hofstetter, Charles Williams, Sheri Whitney, Chase Whitney, Brian Beelner, Dr. Stanley Chou, Anaheim Firefighter Association, Jeff & Linda Morin, Madeline Zuckerman Marketing & Public Relations, Inc., Fred Galante, Jon & Bonnie Peat, and Kenneth Vecchiarelli.
“I have seen first-hand the positive difference the Club makes in the lives of kids and families, providing a fun and safe place for kids to grow and learn,” said Jon Peat, Club Board Chair. “Many parents have told me how important the Club is to them, and how much their children enjoy being here. I am proud to be part of an organization that is making such a positive difference and impacting so many young people within the community.”
A special highlight of the evening was the surprise presentation of the Club’s $2,500 JMAC Scholarship to Club Member Joecelyn Soria, who is also the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Anaheim-Cypress 2023 Youth Of The Year Award Recipient. “Thank you everyone for supporting me,” said Joecelyn Soria. “This Award truly means a lot to me, and I am really proud and honored to be acknowledged with this Award and Scholarship.”
The funds raised at this Annual Ace of Clubs event will support the many Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Anaheim-Cypress’ free and low-cost after-school and summer programs that promote academic achievement, health, and character for young people ages kindergarten through 12th grade. Dedicated to improving the lives of kids and teens, families, and communities by inspiring and empowering young people, the organization’s 18 Clubhouses serve the most vulnerable youth in our community.
As the nation’s largest youth-serving organization, the Boys & Girls Club’s mission is to guide America’s youth to their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. The Club offers a world-class experience to keep kids on the right path for a better future. The organization strongly believes that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Today’s youth have the drive to be successful in the workforce and inspire positive change as leaders.
More than 80% of Club members are low-income, and do not pay any fees to participate in the Clubs’ many activities. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Anaheim-Cypress’ high-quality programs provide a safe and positive alternative for the more than 1,000 children and teens each day that come from Anaheim, Cypress, and the surrounding areas. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Anaheim-Cypress also offer scholarships and tremendous support to children of military families.
“This event was an extraordinary night, as we raised critical funds for the next generation of game changers, trailblazers, and history makers,” said Anne Hertz-Mallari, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Anaheim-Cypress. “We are thrilled we were able to surpass our goal of raising over $180,000 at this event, which will enable us to continue to provide the excellent programs and services we offer on a daily basis. The next generation is truly our greatest gift, and they are the only one we’ve got, so we need to give them what matters most to have them reach their full potential. The time is now to build up our future leaders!”
For additional information on the Boys & Gurls Clubs of Greater Anaheim-Cypress please contact Jeff Morin, Chief Philanthropy Officer at 714-655-7328 or visit www.theboysandgirlsclub.org
On July 1, 2019, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Anaheim and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cypress merged. Now together as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Anaheim-Cypress, the organization is creating a bold vision for the future of youth development. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Anaheim-Cypress believes that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty, and that a safe and loving environment for children will enable them to realize their full potential. Many of this Club’s members have been attending these programs for their entire childhood. In addition to its afterschool and summer camps, the Club offers tutoring, virtual programming, a military youth program, a meal program, community service opportunities, and a film program. Its goal is to provide a world-class Boys & Girls Club experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who walks through their doors, with all members on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future.