Bids for Kids auction nets $433,000

Contributed by Mindee Padilla.

The 31st annual Bids for Kids Auction and Dinner brought in $433,000 for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the East Valley on Nov. 8 at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa in Chandler.

Money raised will go directly to character-building club programs.

"It is so great to see that despite difficult times, the people in our community are still so generously willing to invest in these kids," President/CEO Ramon Elias said. "The money brought in will help our club kids secure great futures by funding important after-school programs like Power Hour, which makes sure kids do their homework as soon as they get to the club; Keystone, which teaches them important leadership skills, plus so many other programs helping make the Boys and Girls Clubs of the East Valley the positive place for kids."

Some items up for bid included a Paddock Play Pool, an eco-friendly 2009 Chevy Cobalt donated by Chapman Chevrolet and a variety of vacation stays including a 10-night getaway to Rome and Tuscany, Mediterranean cruise, and a seven-day stay in Hawaii.

"It was an exciting night. The Cobalt sold for $13,000," Elias said. The evening's honoree was the Chandler Compadres for 25 years of support to the Boys and Girls Clubs of the East Valley. 3TV's Beverly Kidd hosted the event. Major sponsors of Bids for Kids included Toyota Financial, Gila River Casinos, Coronado West, Paramount Pools, Pacific Pools and Spas, D.R. Horton, Tempe Diablos and US Airways.

"This year's theme was 'When I Grow Up,' " Bids for Kids Chairman Drew Meredith said. "It's during times like these in the economy that kids need more help. Our clubs are bursting at the seams and with help like this from the community, we're confident that we'll always be able to help provide kids with the skills and resources they need to achieve their biggest dreams."

About the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley (www.clubzona.org) serves more than 30,000 children and teens annually, and continues to grow to meet the needs of today's youth, providing a positive place for all kids and teens. Serving members in Apache Junction, Chandler, Gilbert, Guadalupe, Mesa, Tempe, Queen Creek, and the Gila River Indian Community, programs are offered after school and during the summer and provide youth and teens, ages 6-18, with fun and educational activities, supervised by professional staff. The Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley's annual membership fee is only $20 dollars a year and financial assistance is available. No child is ever turned away if they are unable to pay the fee.