Brock Huard and Dr. Bonnie Dunbar headline successful Boys & Girls Club Fundraiser

A record $55,000 raised for kids

Brock Huard, Ron Crockett, Angela Reitan, Dr. Bonnie Dunbar, Executive Director Shelley Puariea, King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer

Former Seattle Seahawks and University of Washington quarterback, Brock Huard, and NASA astronaut and current President and CEO of the Museum of Flight, Dr. Bonnie Dunbar, Ph.D., were featured as special guest speakers at the Federal Way & Auburn Boys and Girls Club and EX3 Teen Center 16th annual “Breakfast for Kids” fundraiser Tuesday morning at Emerald Downs in Auburn.

Teo Friedeck, a Federal Way AmeriCorps volunteer and Thomas Jefferson High School alumni provided an inspiring rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, and the Boys & Girls Club 2007 Youth of the Year, Angela Reitan, charmed the audience with her testimonial about what the club has meant to her.

“What does the Boys and Girls Club mean to me,” said Angela. “It is the memories of my past fused with my future.”

Over 400 community members attended the “Breakfast for Kids” event, raising a record $55,000. Funds will be used for student scholarships as well as educational, cultural and sports programs that benefit more than 3,500 deserving youth in South King County.

“We were honored to have Brock and Bonnie as our special guest speakers today,” said honorary breakfast chairman and longtime board member King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer. “Their enthusiasm and support for the cause was instrumental in contributing to another successful Boys and Girls Club event which will go a long way to benefit the youth of South King County.”

During his speech Brock Huard recounted his childhood memories of growing up in the Puget Sound region. He reminded the audience that the biggest opportunity provided to him and his brothers was simply a place to go and compete.

During her speech Bonnie Dunbar described her experiences growing up in the small, south-central Washington rural community of Outlook. She stated that the most important thing throughout her entire career has been the investment that others have made in her.

“We at the Boys and Girls Club are truly grateful to have had two incredible role-models supporting our organization and speaking at our event,” said Shelley Puariea, Executive Director of the Federal Way & Auburn Boys and Girls Clubs and EX3 Ron Sandwith Teen Center. “Brock and Bonnie are not only shining examples of hard work, integrity and success to all of our children, but their presence today significantly assisted us in our efforts to raise funds at this event.”

The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those that need us the most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. According to the King County Housing Authority, when a Boys & Girls Club opens in a neighborhood, the community sees a 24% drop in crime, a 38% decrease in emergency medical service calls and a 70% decrease in vandalism.

“Our community understands how important it is to invest in South King County’s youth,” said von Reichbauer. “It is always inspiring to see so many people come together to make such a critical investment in our community and in our future.”