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San Diego boasts its fair share of philanthropic events. On an impressively regular basis both residents and businesses throughout the county attend, or otherwise support, the litany of galas, cocktail and dinner receptions, auctions and other high-end affairs where they open their hearts, and their proverbial pocketbooks, to benefit the greater good. There’s one event that’s particularly near and dear to my own heart called “An Evening of Changing Lives,” which benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego and the more than 22,000 youth the organization serves throughout the county.

Courtesy Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego

This year’s event, to be held on Saturday, September 26 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, is pulling out all the stops to attract and motivate attendees to support this worthy cause. The affair will commence with a lovely cocktail reception followed by a delectable gourmet dinner. A silent and live auction will be underway throughout the festivities—and even before courtesy of a “digital bidding” auction that will allow guests to preview and begin bidding on items up to two weeks prior to the event.

More than eating, imbibing and bidding for a good cause, An Evening of Changing Lives will feature fantastic entertainment with a performance by music legends and original Beach Boys Brian Wilson and Al Jardine. In addition, KGTV 10News anchor Kimberly Hunt will be the evening’s Mistress of Ceremonies.

Even amid all of the fun and frivolity, it’s important to keep in mind the point of the party. “The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego serves kids ages 5- to 18-years old with academic success, character development and healthy lifestyle programs at 17 community-based sites county-wide,” notes an event spokesperson. “We are making a difference in the lives of today’s youth—San Diego’s future leaders.”

Last year, event partners and the 700 guests helped raise $1,000,000 to support the Clubs—a benchmark event coordinators surely hope to not just meet, but exceed.  I have every confidence the San Diego community will not disappoint.

Learn more about this event online at http://www.sdyouth.org/eocl.aspx.

***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided at no cost and/or arranged to accommodate this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way as per the disclosure policy on our “Legal” page***