Step Up to the Plate closes with Champions Breakfast

The Boys & Girls Clubs of North County is hosting their annual Champions Breakfast to signify the close of their annual Step Up to the Plate/One Campaign.

The breakfast will be held on Thursday, February 2, at the Pala Mesa Resort from 7 to 8:15 a.m. At the start of the campaign the club assembled five mock baseball teams made up of one team owner and five to nine players who have been competing against each other to see which team can raise the most money for the organization. The five teams are:

• Cardinals — Team Owner Mike “The Man” Choate

• Dodgers — Team Owner Steven “The Duke” Haley

• Padres — Team Owner Shane “The Big Unit” Strickland

• Red Sox — Team Owner Jack “Yaz” Rockwell

• Yankees — Team Owner Mike “The Bambino” Boman

The goal of the campaign is $130,000. Team members have been working vigorously to raise money and the breakfast is designed to put the organization over the top. All members from each team will be inviting ten guests to attend the Champions Breakfast. The breakfast is “free;” however, each guest will be given an opportunity to make a tax-deductible contribution to the club.

All proceeds from the Champions Breakfast stay right here in the community to support activities for kids in Fallbrook, Pala and Bonsall. Programs include:

• Character & leadership development (Youth of the Year)

• Education & career development (homework help, computers)

• Health & life skills (nutrition, fitness programs)

• The arts (MTV-music, theatre and performing arts)

• Sports, fitness & recreation (sports leagues, games room)

All programs are aimed at developing young people by instilling a sense of competence, a sense of usefulness, a sense of belonging and a sense of power and influence. When this strategy is fully implemented, self-esteem is enhanced and an environment is created to help boys and girls become the best they can be.

Abe Oliveras, CEO for the Boys & Girls Clubs of North County, stated, “Our club’s annual budget is $1.3 million. Along with our annual auction and dinner, the Step Up to the Plate/One Campaign is one of our signature events. We raise $200,000 from our annual auction and our goal is to raise $130,000 from our Step Up to the Plate/One Campaign. The rest of the club’s income comes from membership dues, program fees, service clubs, United Way, grants and investment income.”

Anyone interested in attending the Champions Breakfast on February 2 may call the Champions Breakfast hotline at (760) 728-5871.