SIMI VALLEY : Quake Damage Forces Fund-Raiser to Cancel
Severe earthquake damage to a Simi Valley-area movie ranch has forced the city’s YMCA to cancel its annual fund-raiser at the site.
Half of the 20 movie sets at Big Sky Ranch were destroyed in the Jan. 17 earthquake and repairs to the remaining sets will not be completed in time for the fund-raiser, which was planned for the weekend of April 30.
The event, which last year drew 10,000 visitors and raised more than $20,000, helps pay for YMCA scholarships and youth programs.
“It was a great financial boost and a great community event,” said Jim King, Simi YMCA executive director. “We are desperately thinking of new ideas to replace this very special fund-raiser.”
For the past seven years, the YMCA has held the weekend event at the 9,000-acre ranch, which has been used as the site for television shows such as “Little House on the Prairie,” “Dallas” and “Gunsmoke.”
The event was the YMCA’s second-largest annual drive, King said. The center raises the bulk of its funds through a telephone campaign.
The 3,000-member Simi Valley chapter of the YMCA does not operate a gym, focusing its efforts on summer camps and licensed child-care centers.
Donations may be sent to the Simi Valley Family YMCA at 4680 Los Angeles Ave., Unit E, 93063.
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