Beach Ball fundraiser to benefit youth club

POST FALLS - Summer is not over if you ask the Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County.

The club will hold its Beach Ball fundraiser on Friday at 6 p.m. at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

"This is our major fundraiser of the year that allows us to offer quality, affordable programs to the more than 500 kids we serve every year," said Ryan Davis, the club's executive director. "It's the one we spend the most time and energy on making sure it's a fun and powerful event in which people go away talking about it.

"The reason we're doing it is to help with ongoing operating dollars."

Tickets are $75 each or $600 for a table of eight. They are available at www.bgc-northidaho.org or at the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce.

Attendees are encouraged to wear shorts, summer dresses and sandals.

"Since Mother Nature robbed us (of summer) in June, we thought we'd extend summer into October no matter what the weather is like," Davis said of this year's theme.

There will be a social hour, wine toss, live and silent auctions, raffles and steak and shrimp dinner.

The live auction features several getaways, including a Napa Valley wine trip, a fishing adventure and Sun Valley ski trip.

Strictly Business will provide a variety of music.

"It's a good opportunity to dance or watch people dance," Davis said.

Roughly $2 million has been raised or pledged for the future $2.9 million Boys and Girls Club facility that will be built between the library and school administration office on Mullan Avenue in Post Falls.

"We're about $1 million off (from breaking ground)," Davis said. "If everything falls in line, there's a chance we can get shovels into the ground next spring or summer. We want most of the money in hand before we break ground in case the economy doesn't rebound."

The club, which offers after-school and summer programs, currently operates out of the Post Falls Nazarene Church next to Mullan Trail Elementary.

Information: 457-9089