Boys & Girls Clubs of America Hosts the 2012 Great Futures Gala in Los Angeles – Oct 11

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Thursday evening October 11, more than 700 leaders of the Los Angeles community will gather to salute Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA). Among the numerous VIPs will be senior executives in entertainment and technology, music and sports, including 18 local Olympians.

“Our goal is to enable young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens”

“Our goal is to enable young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens,” said Jim Clark, Boys & Girls Clubs of America president and CEO. “It is the generous support of our community of individuals and corporate sponsors that is helping to erase the statistics that 1 in 5 young people live in poverty; 3 out of 10 teens won’t graduate high school on time (and the rate increases to 50% among African-American and Latino youth) and more than one-third of our youth today suffer from obesity.”

Time-Location: The BGCA Gala will take place at the JW Marriott (900 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles) at LA Live, beginning with Red Carpet interviews and reception from 5:00 – 6:30pm, followed by the dinner program with live and silent auction. Media should RSVP in advance to arrange for interviews or live coverage.

Mario Lopez will serve as host for the evening gala, during which two awards will be presented. For outstanding leadership and commitment to youth for more than 30 years, Jeff Henley, Chairman of Oracle Corporation, will be honored with the 2012 Herbert Hoover Humanitarian Award. For 20 years of sustained commitment and more than $35 million in financial support, Taco Bell Corporation will receive BGCA’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

VIP Guests include: Jeff Henley, Chairman, Oracle Corporation; John Maata, President, CW Network; Eric Shanks, Co-President and COO of Fox Sports Media Group; John Ward, VP, Directv; Bobby Deleon, Infinitum-Nihil Productions; Legendary Bassist Verdine White, Earth, Wind and Fire; Steve Lillywhite, five-time Grammy Record Producer; Actor Courtney Vance; World Boxing Champion Evander Holyfield; NBA Laker Basketball Legend A.C. Green; LA Sparks Nicky Anosike, De Lisha Milton-Jones, and Alana Beard and Olympic Medalists: Carmelita Jeter; Will Claye; Jason Richardson, Dawn Harper, Nicole Davis, Dotsie Bausch, Lindsey Berg, Dominic Breazeale, Courtney Mattewson, Merrill Moses, James Nieto, John Nunn, Jeffrey Powers, Kelly Rulon, Rachel Buehler, Lauren Wenger, among others.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, some 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs serve nearly 4 million children and teens through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native American lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. Clubs provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.

Learn more at: www.GreatFutures.org
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