Boys & Girls Club to Rock the River Saturday in South Elgin
The Boys & Girls Club of Elgin is looking to reach the top of the (fundraising) charts with a night of music.
The club will hold its first Rock the River fundraiser Saturday at Panton Mill Park in South Elgin. The event replaces an annual gala the group has been unable to plan for the past two years because of the pandemic.
"It's outside, so people can be safe, but also have fun and celebrate the club and celebrate our kids," said Elizabeth Moe-Garcia, the group's chief development officer. "This will help bring in more resources so that we can provide them with the daily enrichment activities and mentorship that makes the club a really special place to be."
Saturday's event will run from 5 to 10 p.m. It will feature Justin Roman, founder and frontman of the band Jump Smokers and entertainment host for the Chicago Bulls. In addition, there will be youth performances and live music by Gregory Hyde and Funktastic.
Food and drinks will be provided by sponsor Village Tavern & Grill.
Tickets for the event are $100 for general admission and $200 for a VIP experience. For tickets and more information, visit bgcelgin.org/rock. Tickets also can be purchased on-site on Saturday.
The fundraiser supports the club as a whole as it expands from 18 after-school sites last year to 31 this year, all while building a new 20,000-square-foot South Elgin clubhouse that is being renovated in the village's former public works building on Martin Drive.
Moe-Garcia said some logistic and supply-chain challenges have slowed down the new clubhouse project a bit. Still, the club is preparing for a ceremonial groundbreaking in October.
The plan is to have the state-of-the-art facility ready for kids by June 2022. It will provide daily education, meals and activities for the children.
The club hopes to raise $200,000 from Saturday's event, which will include a silent auction, raffles, merchandise sales and sponsorship opportunities. As of Thursday, the group has raised more than $109,000. "Fingers crossed, we'll go way past that on Saturday," Moe-Garcia said.
Fundraising during a pandemic has been a challenge, she said, "but we'll do whatever we have to do to support our kids."