Get Ready For Night At The Ranch

LAKE FOREST, CA—Put on your dancing shoes and get ready to kick your heels up for a good cause.

On September 17, Night at the Ranch will again celebrate the long history and benevolent service of the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach.

For more than 65 years, the club in Laguna has been serving the community at its two sites, Canyon Branch and Bluebird Branch.

The club offers an array of services for youth aged three to 18, focusing on qualities such as academic success and developing a good character. Since the pandemic and ensuing lockdown, club staff and members have had to adapt considerably, Abby Ryan, director of development, tells Patch.

"We had to increase our staff-to-child ratio significantly," she said. "We have had to limit capacity in our program spaces. We have also had to hire a full-time cleaning crew in order to ensure our members' safety. Through all this change we have strived to be there for our members. We are still running sports programs, art programs, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math (classes) and so much more. We are running programs in-person and have vowed to never close our doors again."

Importance of Fundraising

Typically, Night at the Ranch raises about $200,000, Ryan said.

This year, the club is "hoping to do the same," she added.

Details of Event

The Night at the Ranch event is so-called because it takes place at The Ranch at Laguna Beach, a prominent resort in town. The event took a hiatus last year due to the lockdown.

This year, the evening will begin with a cocktail hour and a silent auction. Patrons will then proceed to the golf course for a farm-to-table dinner and a live auction.

The night will top off with dancing to live music presented by former professional surfer, and SoCal native, Donavon Frankenreiter.

"We are extremely excited about this year’s event," Ryan said. "We cannot wait to be together again at a safe outdoor event. This event will help us serve so many youth who have faced so many challenges in the past year-and-a-half."

Two former alumni of the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach are the event co-chairs: Leif Hanson and Steve Blue.

Table sponsorships are still available here. Be advised, though, there's limited seating.

For more information, please contact Michelle Fortezzo at (949) 715-7584 or michellef@bgclaguna.org.