The 26th Annual Family YMCA Hoedown at Sundown lassoed approximately 270 guests to this annual foot stomping Bar B Q party at Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage. Event was highlighted by silent and live auctions and lots of dancing Executive director Rob Ballew greeted folk as they arrived, joined by president Jim Latting, event chair Michele De Mille and development director Terri Bona. Before and during dinner board member / emcee Patrick Evans kept the party going.
Ninety-five donors gave silent auction items while the eleven live auction items ranged in value from $2,000 to $13,000. The live auction was exciting under the superb call of auctioneer Todd Ventura, accompanied by his spotters, twin teen sons Aaron and Alex Ventura. All entertainment was family-oriented, very appropriate for the Family YMCA whose mission is the development of healthy communities, and building character one child at a time.
Attendees had fun trying their hand at lassoing, while young actor cowboy Isaak Presley, 11, alternated between twirling pistols and playing guitar. After dinner, guests were treated to Line Dancing instruction. Dancing to Billy Ericson and the Bandits kept everyone in a party mood. Funds raised support the various programs, including providing after school activities at over 42 sites serving more than 3600 children every day.
Live auction donors were De Luca Jewelers; Frank Sinatra Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament; “Y Not BBQ Team”, Sabby and Wendy Jonathan and Jonathan & Associates, Andalusia at Coral Mountain, The Fairmont at Chateau Lake Louise; West Jet, Cardiff Limousine & Transportation, The Desert Sun, BNP Parisbas and the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Lamar Advertising, Sunrise Ridge Waterfront Resort, “Claro Hire Standards…Evolved” and Costco. Event donors and underwriters were Prime Time, Sally Simonds, Susie and Wayne Harvey; Osborne Rincon CPAs, Rabobank, Accord Mediation, 1st Bank, Anita and Bill Powers, N & O, Best, Best & Krieger Attorneys at Law, Marcus Carter, Southern California Gas Company and Boyd and Associates.
