Boys Town California

Boys Town California’s Fourth Annual Gala Honors Tilly’s with 2007 Spirit of Youth Award

Boys Town California held its fourth annual Spirit of Youth Award Gala Oct. 6, at the Fairmont Newport Beach.  With a tropical theme, the “Flight of Hope” event featured Polynesian entertainment, dinner, silent and live auctions, awards presentation, and a moving testimonial by Erica Davis, a young graduate of the Boys Town program.

The event, moderated by KTLA-TV newscaster Mark Kriski, generated vital support for the innovative services provided by Boys Town California with some 250 guests and 25 volunteers in attendance.

In her remarks illustrating how Boys Town directly impacts the lives of young people, Davis said, “I am and will be forever grateful to Boys Town for giving me multiple chances at building my future.  I cannot express to you in words what it means to me to have the love, care and support that I had never experienced before.  You will always be my family.”

The evening’s focus was presentation of the 2007 Spirit of Youth Award to Tilly’s, the highly successful retail apparel chain headquartered in Irvine, Calif.  Through an annual golf tournament, Tilly’s and its supplier partners have made possible the unique Tilly’s Baby Home program at the Boys Town California Trabuco Canyon residential campus in Orange County.  The Tilly’s Baby Home offers a family-style environment for very young siblings up to age 6 so they can remain together when their family is facing a crisis.  The award was accepted by Tilly’s Co-founder Tilly Levine and Tilly’s Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO Hezy Shaked.

A special highlight of the evening took place during the live auction following the awards presentations, when Tilly’s also placed the winning bid for a Hawaiian vacation package on behalf of the Boys Town California family-teacher staff.

In addition to the award to Tilly’s, U.S. Congressman Ed Royce was honored with the Boys Town California Global Citizen of the Year Award for his ongoing involvement in education issues and longstanding support of Boys Town California programs.

Also recognized at this year’s gala were 2006 Spirit of Youth Award honoree Lennar Corporation, represented by Matt Coleman, Executive Director of the Lennar Charitable Housing Foundation; 2005 honorees Jim Barton, CEO of Pacific Venture Insurance Services, and his wife Jayne; and 2004 honorees Jim McInnis, Head of Annuity Distribution for ING Variable Annuities, and his wife Robin.

“Without the heartfelt generosity of businesses and individuals throughout our community, we simply could not make the kind of difference in the lives of children and families that we are dedicated to achieving,” said Keith Rhodes, executive director, Boys Town California.  “Working together, we can bring a unique and proven approach to helping them overcome very significant challenges to build a productive and fulfilling future.”

Proceeds of the annual gala support Boys Town California programs including family-based counseling, three assessment and short-term residential centers, a longer term home-style residential campus and youth aftercare.  For information, call 714-532-2399.