Boys & Girls Clubs supporters helped raise $175,000 Saturday night to operate the club for another year, and Chief Financial Officer Hal Hansen said he is overwhelmed by the generosity of Carson City.
The 17th annual Kids Auction & World's Greatest BBQ drew more than 500 people to the Pony Express Pavilion to enjoy the dinner, music and auction, but more importantly, to support Carson City's youth.
"We met our goal. It costs about $750 a year per child, so this is incredible," Hansen said.
"We were extremely pleased. It was a great turnout, great food, and the weather couldn't have been better. People came, and they spent money," he said.
"With this economy, we were worried about it, but it's so heart-warming that people get behind the club. That's where I get my passion - because they believe in what we are doing and they thank us. The stars were aligned for us," Hansen said.
A few highlights of the auction included:
• Danny Barnes' father won the bid for the 1989 Jaguar. Barnes, of Model Dairy, donates free milk to the club all year long, Hansen said.
• After lively bidding, Al Fiegehen of Cubix Corp. won a dinner at former Carson City School Superintendent Mary Pierczynski's home for $2,400.
• Don Simons of Artistic Fence won a dinner with the governor for $1,600.
• Ron Peterson won an Italian dinner at Larry and Susie Messina's home for $3,800. Dr. Jim Breeden also won another dinner at their home for $3,600.
• Sheriff Ken Furlong won a Remington rifle for $1,000 and a Niners weekend package for $1,600.
• Clark Russell of the Carson Station won the right to name a race horse owned by Mike Pegram of Bodines for $2,000.
• Michael Hohl won a 1999 Chevy Trailblazer for $5,500.
The "Stand Up for Kids" is always a special part of the evening, Hansen said. One anonymous donor gave $15,000 and another gave $5,000, he said. In addition, the Hop and Mae Adams Foundation gave $5,000.
"Nearly $50,000 was raised from that alone," he said.