Boys and Girls Club has Valentines Gala on Saturday

The Boys and Girls Club of Oak Ridge will be bringing its annual Valentines Gala back to Oak Ridge this year. The event will be held at St. Mary’s in Columbus Hall and the Gymnasium from 6:30-11 p.m. Saturday. The theme will be The Roaring Twenties, with an authentic time period band and Knox Vegas DJs to entertain the crowd throughout the evening.

“We’re thrilled to bring the club’s largest fundraiser back to town and offer a theme that is sure to be the highlight of the season for Oak Ridgers,” said Aaron Wells, president of the Oak Ridge Unit board of directors. Along with the music, the event will feature a live auction emceed by Bear Stephenson, silent auction, dinner, and several other fun activities, which will help to bring the Roaring Twenties theme into full effect.

This is the Boys and Girls Club’s largest fundraising event and provides a wonderful opportunity for community leaders to come out and show their support while enjoying an evening of upscale fun and dancing. Auction items will include a John Daly autographed golf bag, a trip to Keeneland for the races, and several other unique items. All proceeds from this event will go directly to the Boys and Girls Club of Oak Ridge.

“The Oak Ridge Club is making great strides in updating facilities and improving the after-school and sports programs over the last several months,” said Ann Likens, board treasurer. “Under the leadership of our new director, Dean Deatherage, we are excited to see what the future will bring for the youth in our city.”

Dean Deatherage comes to the Clinch Valley organization from The Boys and Girls Club of Loudon, part of the Tennessee Valley Corp. He brings a wealth of knowledge and a dedication to hard work similar to that of Lawrence Hahn, the Oak Ridge Club’s founder. Under his leadership, the Clinch Valley has opened a second location in Harriman and has plans for a third in Midtown during the next couple of years. The Oak Ridge Club recently renovated their gymnasium thanks to Deatherage’s leadership and financial contributions from The Oak Ridge Boys Club Alumni Association and individual members.

Saturday night will be an excellent chance to meet Deatherage and help support the organization that has made the largest impact on our town’s youth during the last 50 years and that, with community support, will be able to continue the tradition for generations to come. For more information on the Gala or tickets, call Aaron Wells at (865) 898-7471.