On the Town: Boys & Girls Club is the big winner at casino fundraiser
The big screen that was prominently placed in the middle of Woody’s Café on the campus of Woodbury University was keeping the assemblage abreast of the battle being waged between L.A.’s boys in blue and their rivals of Texas’ “Space City” as they vied for the Commissioner’s Trophy last Friday evening.
But that competition between the Dodgers and the Astros was clearly taking a backseat to the contest playing out in the room which pitted poker-playing Burbanker against Burbanker as they bet, bluffed and folded to raise funds for the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and the Greater East Valley.
For the 14th year, the board, staff and supporters of the local chapter of the youth organization participated in their annual poker, bingo and blackjack tournaments.
Welcomed by Shanna Warren, who serves as the club’s chief executive, and the club’s board president, Paul Herman, by the end of the evening first-place winner Greg Lizer and second-place winner Barry Gussow had bettered more than 120 rivals.
Among those who made last week’s fundraiser a success were board officers and members Dan Stillwell, Lorrie Copeland, Joan Ortiz, Lynn White Shelby, Dave Augustine, Michelle Bouse, Michael Dragan, Bret Hannifin and Leena Mathew.
Others whose presence and work contributed to the evening were Pat Augustine, Nat and Alma Rubinfeld, Jennifer and Richard Vaughan, Dean Shelby, Karen Volpei and local club staff members including Susan Sebastian, Lianne DePino, Jay Jackson, Jazmin Erving and Arpineh Khodagholian.
Turning their attention from the poker tables to the links, the club is now actively preparing for this year’s 20th annual Mayors’ Cup Golf Tournament, which will be held on Nov. 10 at DeBell Golf Club.
This is the longest running golf tournament in Burbank’s history and honors all the men and women who have served as the city’s highest-ranking elected official.
This year, because the tournament falls on Veterans Day (observed), the event will also recognize veterans for their contributions to our community and our country.
Co-hosted by the Boys & Girls Club and the Burbank Sunrise Kiwanis Club, this year’s tournament will be sponsored by the Cusumano Real Estate Group and benefit the hosting entities, along with the Bob Hope USO at Los Angeles International Airport and other nonprofit organizations.
For more information about the tournament, visit burbanksunrisekiwanis.org.
Since 1995, the local Boys & Girls Club has touched the lives of thousands of local children and their families, providing regular programming as well as affordable after-school and summer programs.
With more than 1,600 kids being served on a daily basis at the club’s main facility and its additional 18 local sites, a community and culture of caring has been created that has enabled members to participate in educational, athletic and artistic programs, including performing arts, homework assistance, tutoring, college prep and leadership training.
Always in need of financial support to continue and expand its low- and no-cost programs, donations can be made by visiting www.bgcburbank.org.
DAVID LAURELL may be reached by email at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.
