YMCA hosts Denim and Diamonds fundraiser May 4 - Scottsbluff Star Herald

SCOTTSBLUFF — Break out your blue jeans and get ready to bid on some bling as the YMCA is getting ready to host its Denim and Diamonds fundraiser.

Every two years, the Scottsbluff Family YMCA hosts its signature Denim and Diamonds event, which raises money for special projects at the YMCA. This year, the money raised will go to purchase playground equipment for the preschool and child care area.

“Whatever money we get, that’s where it will all go,” said Lola Gonzales, fitness director.

The event is important personally for Gonzales, who is often seen making sure youth at the YMCA have everything they need to have a successful start to life. It’s also an event she looks forward to.

“It’s so much fun with so many businesses,” she said. “We already have 35 committed to giving.”

At this year’s event, the volunteer of the year and the spirit, mind, body awards will be presented. The latter is given to a person that has gone beyond volunteering and has helped secure the organization for what it is today.

In addition to dinner, there will be dancing and silent and live auctions. Loaded Dice will be providing the entertainment. Gonzales promises there are many chances to win prizes and the prize range is “huge” with prizes worth up to $2,500.

Some of the donors for the evening include 21st Century, Reichert’s Jewelers, Riddles Jewelry, U.S. Bank, Thompson Glass and Webers. Auction items include Husker tickets to a game vs. Minnesota with airfare.

“U.S. Bank gave us the tickets and we secured the airfare,” she said. “Reichert’s has given a beautiful white gold, 14 carat blue diamond pendant.”

Broncos and Wyoming tickets are also available.

The Star-Herald and Johnson Cashway have teamed up to donate a Traeger Pro 22 grill for the event. The Fairfield Inn and Monument Suites have also donated packages. Gonzales said there are so many gifts, she can’t remember all of them and was thankful to everyone who has donated.

“The community is really good and they support our children and families,” Gonzales said. “That’s what’s so special about this event.”

Gonzales is looking forward to listening, and maybe dancing, to Loaded Dice. Not many events have live bands anymore, she said.

“People sometimes just like to kick back and listen to music, but they can dance too,” she said. “Everything ends whenever people go home.”

The annual support campaign, which is held in the fall raises money only for scholarships at the YMCA. Denim and Diamonds is for only for special projects that the YMCA needs. A unique aspect to the event is YMCA board members take an active role in soliciting auction items as well as helping sell tickets.

Anyone who wins an auction item must be able to take it home that night.

Denim and Diamonds is on Friday, May 4 at the Weborg 21 Centre in Gering. Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. Dinner is at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $200 per couple. Tickets are limited to 200. To purchase tickets or for more information, contact Lola or Kimberly at 308-635-2318.

https://ift.tt/2vaEPUU