20th Annual Chocolate Fantasy

Last Saturday, February 9, from 7-11 p.m., the Boys and Girls Clubs, centered in Redlands, hosted their Twentieth Annual Chocolate Fantasy Fundraiser at the Mitten Building in Downtown Redlands in order to raise donations for the range of different programs and scholarships that the organization provides for kids in the Inland Empire. The event was black-tie preferred and was a twenty-one and over event. Tickets were set to $75 each. There were around thirty volunteers hosting the evening and over three hundred guests who attended. Before the doors had even opened, $50,000 had already been raised through pre-sale and early donations; half of the $100,000 goal for the event. Local business owners, large companies, individual donors, and generous affiliates attended a night filled with wine, champagne, live music, gourmet cuisine, and most of all, dozens of different types of chocolate creations, ranging from chocolate fondue to dark chocolate truffles and white chocolate covered cakes to chocolate fondue. Businesses like State Street Winery and Hangar 24 served their unique wines and beers to attendees, while restaurants like Famous Dave’s and Mill Cattle Creek Company provided chocolate-and-bacon covered strawberries and whole brisket, respectively. With over twelve different vendors in different specialties, attendees had more than enough to sample throughout the evening. The moment guests walked into the main floor of the event they were welcomed by rows of gift baskets that were open for silent bidding electronically through devices provided by BidPal, a company specializing in the automation of auctioning. The Master of Ceremonies, Ross French, guided the silent auction throughout the night to make sure that no package went without a bid. A traditional live auction was also included and lead by Eric Goddard and Mike Reynolds. Bidders were able to compete for prizes such as an all-expenses paid seven day/six night trip to Alaska, ring side seats to an upcoming Lakers vs. Clippers game, and tickets to an upcoming football game to Super Bowl participants, Denver Broncos. All the funds raised went directly to benefit the kids in the Boys and Girls Clubs’ programs. Jannete Auguar, donator, says, “I love knowing that the kids are benefitting from tonight in a great way and that we get to have fun while helping.” When asked about her favorite part of the fundraiser, Kelley Bowden, Board of Director member, responded with, “Being able to help the kids in our programs in a significant way.” Boards and films of Boys and Girls Club members were shown throughout the evening. One member, Khang Nguyen, had his portrait displayed on the main floor, “Through programs like Power Hour I have the tools I need to succeed in school.” Donators, supporters, and affiliates of the program were able to raise a total of over $90,000 throughout the night to help the Boys and Girls Club continue to make significant impacts on the lives of kids.