Recent event covered:  09.30.11 Boys and Girls Club of Venice Sixth Annual Champion of Youth Gala at the Ritz Carlton

Event description:  On Friday, September 30, 2011, the Sixth Annual Champion of Youth Gala was held at The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey with all proceeds from the event benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Venice. The gala featured a silent and a live auction with over 150 items ranging from trips to the Caribbean to autographed memorabilia.

During the gala, the club  awarded the Champion of Youth Award to former board president and philanthropist, Cathy Collins Hession.

ABOUT CATHY:  Cathy Collins Hession currently serves as President and Executive Director of The Carol and James Collins Foundation. Cathy is widely recognized for her commitment to volunteerism, especially the work of the Boys & Girls Clubs. She is also on the Board of Trustees of Marlborough School,the Advisory Board of The Center on Philanthropy & Public Policy at the University of Southern California, Advisory Board of Para Los Ninos Charter School and Board of Directors of Southern California Grantmakers. She has worked extensively with the Junior League of Los Angeles for more than thirty years.

“We are very excited to honor Cathy,” said current board president Julie Henley of Demand Media. “This event is a great way to support children and teens that need us to help guide them to a productive future.”

DIRECTV was also recognized with the Corporate Engagement Award for their extensive volunteer work with the Boys & Girls Club of Venice over the last three years.

Past honorees have included UCLA men’s basketball coach Ben Howland, Jaime and JoAnne Hepp of TEAM TAG, Nancy and David Iben, FIDM, Margaret and David Lederer, Joey Baker, Michael Wise of JH Snyder Co., and Milton Swimmer of Swimmer Development.

This year’s sponsors include Carol and Jim Collins, Tradewinds Global Investors, Cathy and Ed Hession, J&J Foundation, Pasy Wang, The Macdonald Foundation, Westfield, David Pollock of JP Morgan, Morgan and Stephen N. Smith, Lisa and Alvin Michaelson, Marty Goldberg, Michael Wise & Sarah Vettese, the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, CAPS Universal, City National Bank, Swimmer Development, Robins Kaplan, Coca-Cola, and Union Bank.

Check out photo highlights below: 

Photo:  NBA Champion Shannon Brown of the LA Lakers

Venice Young Professional Society– The Young Professionals Society is dedicated to cultivating young, vibrant, professionals in the community by providing networking, professional development and volunteer opportunities. Leaders in their own fields and in the community, Young Professional Society members represent a diverse cross-section of Los Angeles, serving as ambassadors for the Boys & Girls Club of Venice. Click here if you are interested in joining.

Photo:  DIRECTV was  recognized with the Corporate Engagement Award for their extensive volunteer work with the Boys & Girls Club of Venice over the last three years.

Photo:  right – Boys and Girls Club of Venice’s Chief Professional Officer Erikk Aldridge

Photo:  Michael Eaves.  Host/Reporter at Fox Sports Net

Photo:  James’ Beach dinner and Venice Paparazzi photography live auction winners!

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To view additional photos from this event, click on the “View photos” below.  Enjoy and courtesy of the Venice Boys and Girls Club, get your free digital images from this  gallery.

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CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE VENICE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB FACEBOOK PAGE.

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