Charity Dinner for Perris Boys & Girls Club is a success

Supporters of the new Perris Boys & Girls Club dressed up in Roaring 20s theme for the fundraiser. Menifee 24/7 Photos by Tommie Brown

By Tommie Brown, Staff Writer

Sequins, fringe, bow ties and suspenders were aplenty at the Roaring 20’s themed dinner auction for the new Boys & Girls Club of Perris charity event at the March Air Reserve Base museum March 30.

Raising funds for the newly re-established Perris club, executive director John Whann of the Boys & Girls Club of Menifee Valley and team put together both a silent and live auction for dinner guests to bid on throughout the night.

Whann and the Menifee Boys & Girls Club staff is embarking on their newest journey of opening up a Club on D street in the neighboring Perris community. Whann will oversee both clubs as the effort to serve youth in the valley expands.

After watching multiple Boys and Girls Club youth members perform dances and skits they rehearsed, then speeches that left few eyes dry, it was no surprise to see auction items like Coco’s pies being sold for bids in the hundreds.

"There was a Club in Perris before, but unfortunately it didn’t unfold the way we had hoped," said Mayor Michael Vargas of the City of Perris. "We are ecstatic by Menifee coming. When the previous club folded up, the kids in the community were devastated. And it is imperative for any city to have care for and be involved in their youth."

With the long list of donors who are lending hand in making the new Perris Clubhouse possible, it is evident that the community agrees.

Supporters included the National Association of Female Executives, Pechanga Resort & Casino, local businesses and community members and Ocean Contracting Corp. being the presenting sponsor. The evening was full of not only opportunities to increase the club’s funding, but also to thank all those who have already taken part in being part of the success of the extended location.

"The staff there is more than hands on," said Bonnie Moore of Ocean Contracting Corp. "From snakes to wizards to slip n’ slides, our son loved it. I’m a working mom, and with babysitters I knew the kids were just going to end up on his phone somewhere. But with the Boys and Girls Club, the kids get to be outside, making friends, and just being kids."

Phillip Moore, husband to Bonnie and President/CEO of Ocean Contracting Corp., agreed.

"This is a great organization with great people behind it, and we just really wanted to be able to help offer that experience to other children and are happy to be a part of this."

With the Menifee Valley Clubhouse serving a membership of about 2,800 and the City of Perris having no shortage of youth within their four school districts in the city, the revamped Perris Clubhouse is expected to hit the ground running with active members.

And while the prospect of success for the Perris Clubhouse is great, so was the praise for Whann at the event.

"I’ve never met a harder working man,” said Whann's co-worker, Sam Handley, who choked up when speaking about Whann. He shared his own emotional life story and the impact Boys & Girls Clubs have had on his life.

"No matter what day or time, he is there for your kids," Handley said. "Whatever your child is going through, John will make sure there is someone there for your child who has been through it too."

Board President Jennifer Walker (third from left) had similar praise for Whann.

"Hiring John was the best thing we ever did," she said.

Walker went on to say that being a Perris resident, the new location has a special place in her heart.

"With the same passion we have served Menifee, we will bring to serve Perris," Walker said. "We will bring music, art, martial arts, sports – things that may have been out of reach before."

And in addition to thanking the staff and board members for tirelessly working to make all of these opportunities possible, Walker closed her speech by reminding everyone why they do what they do.

"We serve the kids," she said. "But most importantly, we serve the parents. We are here to give them peace of mind."

From dinner with Vargas to Storm Stadium box seats and first pitch privileges and tequila tasting packages, "Take Flight" attendees filled the future of the club with the emptying of their wallets.

"It is difficult to launch a new clubhouse," said Walker. "To get the finance, location, and enthusiasm."

But with one guest outbidding her own bid at the live auction to raise more funds, it is evident that the community is behind this new endeavor.

Many of the women in attendance dressed up in 1920s costume.