MANASSAS, Va. –– It was a night of joviality and recognition at the 23rd annual Steak ‘n’ Stake Dinner at the Boys & Girls Club in Manassas. The event, which serves as the Boys & Girls Club’s biggest yearly fundraiser, with paid tickets for a steak dinner, a silent auction, and giveaways, helped the Club to raise $40,000.
The dinner, donated by Kitchen Gourmet and silver sponsored by M&T Bank and Darden Restaurants, brought together community leaders as well as local elected officials. Not only a fundraiser, the event was a way to acknowledge the work those Boys and Girls Clubs do in the community, as well as businesses and volunteers who serve the clubs.
MORE: See PotomacLocal.com’s collection of photos from the Steak ‘n’ Stake.
“Eight five percent [of those who attended the clubs] said they went because of the dedicated staff and caring relationships,” Vice President of Branch Operations Jim Almond told the crowd of about 400 attendees.
In an effort to help raise further funds, Jewelry by Design hosted a giveaway, where champagne glasses were auctioned off, giving the buyers the opportunity to have the lucky glass with a $1,500 diamond ring, inside. Fifty glasses were sold, with a set of 22 glasses selling for $700, to go toward Boys & Girls Club programs.
To demonstrate and acknowledge all of the work being done by those in the Boys & Girls Club, Master of Ceremonies and Prince William School Board Representative Betty Covington, assisted in awarding several recognitions and awards. The President’s Award was given by Rhett Pfitzner, President of the Board of Directors, to Thomas Murphy, Secretary of the Board of Directors. Almond awarded the Staff MVP Award to Judy Moore, the first full-time employee at the General Heiser Boys and Girls Club branch in Dumfries.
The IMPACT award was awarded to Bennie Scarton Jr., who retired from the Manassas News and Messenger, and the Betty Covington Educator’s Award, awarded by Covington herself, was given to former C.D. Hylton High School Principal Carolyn Custard. The Annual Partnership Award was received by Amerigroup, and the Community Outreach Award was awarded to the Potomac Mills J.C. Penney. The From the Heart Award was given to the City of Manassas in partnership with Georgetown South Community, and the Friend of Youth Award was given to U.S. Foods.
For time and loyal service to local Boys & Girls Club branches, Tina Mata, Glen Martin and Michael Futrell were given Volunteer Service Awards.
“I think that tonight was just a great opportunity to show that there are a lot of people trying to do a lot of positive things, especially if you read the newspapers and things like that; everyone complains about the problems but, there are not a whole lot of people trying to do something about the problems. And again, I think it was great we were given these recognitions, but the thing that everyone had in common here today was that they don’t do it for the recognition, they do it because they truly want to help impact these kids, and that’s what this night was really about. I’m very proud that I was selected as one of the people to receive this award,” said Futrell, founder of Make the Future, a local non-profit that works with youth in the community.
Three honorees; the Wellburn family, Gino Manzo, Director of BAE Systems and Patrick Girard, Vice President of Sales and Operations for Staples, were given awards for their efforts and funding for various programs at area Boys & Girls Clubs.
“I’m honored to have won the award; it’s the fun part of my job. You know, the Boys & Girls Club is a national sponsor with us, but we take it down to the local level. All 102 stores are involved with the Boys & Girls Club. We’re extremely involved with this local club here in Manassas, so it’s special to us. But it’s our corporate responsibility to give back in the communities that we operate in, not only with the Boys & Girls Club, but we also work locally with some other organizations,” said Girard.
One of the most touching moments of the night occurred when Teja Washington, a member of the Hylton Boys & Girls Club, was awarded Youth of the Year Award. Washington, who has recently undergone open heart surgery, has been consistently involved in the Club and other community efforts, and graciously thanked those in her life that helped her to strive for her goals, and support her in her achievements. The, “Youth of the Year Awards is the most prestigious award we give out each year,” Almond commented, of Washington’s award.
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