Dinner, Auction to Benefit Boy Scouts

A black-tie dinner and auction sponsored by the Ventura County Council Boy Scouts of America are expected to raise nearly $100,000 for troops countywide.

The Oct. 13 event at the Sherwood Country Club has been held annually for about 25 years. It is one of the organization’s major fund-raisers, said Bill Belcher, a Boy Scouts spokesman.

Proceeds will help fund about 327 troops throughout Ventura County. There are about 8,100 youths involved in Boy Scouts across the county, he said.

More than 200 items are up for auction, including a five-night condominium stay in Keystone, Colo., a week’s trip to Hawaii, a murder mystery dinner for eight and a one-week stay in Cabo San Lucas. Admission to the fund-raiser is $125 per person or $1,250 for a table of 10.

“Scouting is all about building value skills and leadership qualities in young people,” said Dave Graska, executive director. “The success of this event is very important to fulfilling our mission to do those things.”

The Boy Scouts’ annual budget within the county is about $1.5 million. Members pay a $7 annual fee, but most money comes from fund-raisers, Belcher said.

The Boy Scouts hold a golf tournament each August that nets about $100,000 and an upcoming popcorn sale is expected to raise about $150,000, Belcher said.

The organization is close to selling out its auction event but tables are still available, Belcher said.

For information, call 482-8938.