On May 3, the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley rolled out the red carpet at Warner Bros. Studios, welcoming nearly 400 attendees made up of founders, donors, local officials and supporters to a gala fundraiser celebrating its milestone 30th anniversary of making a difference in the lives of young people in the community.
Guests were treated to performances from the Club’s youth members, including a spirited rendition of Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.”; met with the reigning Youth of the Year; and heard from the 1995 Youth of the Year, who spoke about the impact the Club had on their life. The night also included behind-the-scenes experiences on the Warner Bros. back lot, a DJ, a silent auction, and cocktails and dinner.
“We have had so much growth over the past 30 years. We started as a single location serving 75 kids a day and have grown to 33 locations serving close to 4,000 kids,” CEO Shanna Warren reflects. “I think about all of the board members and staff over the years — their time, treasures, talents and everything they gave of themselves to help kids — and it is truly remarkable. They are responsible for the success and growth of our organization. We have made 30 years of impact in the community, and that is worth celebrating.”
The Club recently joined the Toluca Lake Chamber of Commerce, and Warren hopes that participation will help it more widely share the impact it’s had in the neighborhood. “We are grateful for all of the support we have received and that we are able to use this platform to bring awareness to people who may want to volunteer or support the organization,” she says.
Looking ahead, Warren says the Club is committed to furthering its mission of providing a safe, inclusive and enriching space for youth and teens to reach their full potential through programs such as tutoring, visual and performing arts, mentoring and athletics — regardless of their ability to pay. “We will continue outreach into communities that need us most and will continue to grow strategically in neighborhoods that need a Boys & Girls Club,” she shares. “We do not want to grow just to grow, but to be intentional about our growth and ensure that there are no neighborhoods without a Club. We want to ensure that there is a Club that is reachable to all kids who need us.”
