Generosity Marks YMCA’s 2013 Red and Black Ball

Saree Clark, left, and Lyuba Georgieva welcome the crowd to The Family YMCA’s Red and Black Ball Saturday night in the Phillip Kunsberg building on 15th Street at Nectar. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Los Alamos National Laboratory Director Charlie McMillan with, from left, YMCA Executive Director Linda Daly, wife Janet McMillan and Los Alamos County Clerk Sharon Stover as the Y’s annual Red and Black Ball gets underway Saturday night in downtown Los Alamos. During the evening’s live auction, a $750 winning bid to have lunch with the Laboratory director was won by Roger Waterman of TRK and Steve Girrens of LANL, who invited Publisher Carol A. Clark of the Los Alamos Daily Post to join them after out bidding her. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

During Saturday night’s Red and Black Ball, community and business leaders were honored for their generosity and support of The Family YMCA. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

By Carol A. Clark

What began in 2000 as an event to raise money for a gymnasium has grown into the Los Alamos Family YMCA’s most important fundraiser of the year – The Red and Black Ball.

“This is our 13th Annual Red and Black Ball and it’s been possible because of all of you,” said YMCA Executive Director Linda Daly to Saturday night’s sold out crowd.

The individuals and organizations gathered for the “Rockin’ Rio” night in Rio de Janeiro themed ball on the third floor of Phillip Kunsberg’s Central Park Square building at 15th Street and Nectar.

The Family YMCA is a charitable, community-serving organization that promotes values, leadership development, service-learning, community interaction, healthy life choices and active lifestyles.

The organization must raise money each year to continue its mission of never turning anyone away due to inability to pay.

In 2012, the Y provided $120,000 in financial assistance to 249 individuals, an increase of $40,000 over the previous year. The largest increase in assistance was provided for access to membership and healthy living programs. Assistance requests and awards last year were almost evenly distributed between memberships, after-school enrichment and summer camp experiences.

With the large turnout and live and silent auction at Saturday’s Red and Black Ball, it is likely the Y will exceed the funds raised in 2012 for The Family YMCA 2013 “Strong Kids” campaign.

“The Family YMCA does so much for our kids locally and in the region and I’m pleased that United Way is able to support their work,” United Way Executive Director Kristy Ortega said.

United Way Board member Jerry Ethridge of LANS, LLC, is a longtime YMCA supporter.

“The Family YMCA is a real asset to this community … we’re glad the Y has its facilities available for our employees,” Ethridge said.

YMCA Board member Karen Kendall served on this year’s Red and Black Ball committee and said it was a pleasure to work on the project with Daly and the rest of the Y team.

“The Y is an important resource in our community and this annual event is the major fundraiser for our ‘Strong Kids’ campaign,” Kendall said. “We really appreciate all of the organizations and individuals who support the Y and its work.”

Major supporters of the local YMCA include Chairman’s Round Table & Primary Sponsors Los Alamos Medical Center, Los Alamos National Bank, Lou Santoro State Farm Insurance and TRK Management.

Benefactors of Youth include Barraclough and Associates, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, Central Park Square, Cross Connection, Inc., Energy Solutions, Espanola Transit Mix, Kelly Myers, RE/MAX, LANL and LANS, Los Alamos Public Safety Association, Modrall Sperling, Navarro Engineering and Research, RBC Capital Markets, RE/MAX of Los Alamos, Smith’s Food and Drug, Stover/Girrens Family, and TechSource.

Patrons of Youth include Chandler Law, Karen and Greg Kendall and Linda and Paul Daly.

For more information, visit The Family YMCA at 1450 Iris St., call 505-662-3100 or visit www.laymca.org.

Los Alamos State Farm agents Lou Santoro, left, and Abe Dispennette present The Family YMCA with a donation check of $20,000 for the Espanola Teen Center. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

From left, County Clerk Sharon Stover, YMCA Executive Director Linda Daly, Karen Easton of Los Alamos National Bank, Los Alamos Medical Center CEO Feliciano Jiron, YMCA Board Chair John Wolfe of Los Alamos Public Schools, Roger Waterman of TRK and State Farm agent Lou Santoro are honored for their generosity. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Central Park Square owner Philip Kunsberg with his wife Bernadette Kunsberg, right, and YMCA Executive Director Linda Daly at Saturday’s Red and Black Ball. The Family YMCA presented Kunsberg with an award for his generosity and support. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Los Alamos swim coach Wendy Lott with her husband Bandelier Superintendent Jason Lott. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Roger Waterman of TRK jokes around as if he does not appreciate the paparazzi stalking him at the Red and Black Ball. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Los Alamos Daily Post webmaster/reporter Greg Kendall peers with feigned concern at his wife Karen Kendall and County Councilor Steve Girrens as they steal a quick smooch at the Red and Black Ball. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Suzanne Lynne of Los Alamos Public Schools with her husband, Deputy County Administrator Steve Lynne at the Red and Black Ball. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Dixie Girl Restaurant owner Denise Lane, left, catered this year’s Red and Black Ball and received high praise from YMCA Executive Director Linda Daly as the entire audience broke into applause Saturday night. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

From left, Family YMCA Executive Director Linda Daly, Marisa Den Baars and her husband Navarro Vice President Scott Den Baars and Dr. Paul Daly. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Jerry Ethridge of LANS with United Way Executive Director Kristy Ortega. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Lori Heimdahl Gibson with her husband Robert Gibson. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

The crowd gave thousands of dollars to The Family YMCA to help provide programs for the community. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

YMCA Board member Johanna Jiron with her husband Los Alamos Medical Center CEO Feliciano Jiron. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Board member Sharon Stover presents an award on behalf of the YMCA to Los Alamos Fire Chief Troy Hughes for his generosity and support. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Terry Izraelevitz with her husband Council Vice Chair David Izraelevitz. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Longtime YMCA supporter Roger Waterman, left, speaks with State Farm agent Abe Dispennette and his wife Kirsta Dispennette. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Los Alamos County Councilor Rick Reiss with his wife Debbie Reiss. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Three women select the same red dress to wear to the Red and Black Ball Saturday night, including from left, Chris Chandler, Marlene Sanchez and Stephanie Vigil. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Dr. Paul Daly, left, and Steve Girrens carry a large piece of art to the stage during the live auction portion of the evening. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Local artist Chris Ortega describes his weaving as Steve Girrens shows it off to the audience and auctioneer Sam Kendricks stands in the center preparing to begin the bidding. Ortega’s weaving garnered the highest bid of the night at $1,100. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Los Alamos Police Chief Wayne Torpy won the $300 high bid on this motorcycle jacket for his new bride Gina Torpy. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Bob McClenahan with his wife Heather McClenahan, Executive Director of the Los Alamos Historical Society. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Gina Torpy with her husband Police Chief Wayne Torpy and Jodi Hughes with her husband Fire Chief Troy Hughes. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

YMCA Red and Black Ball committee member Karen Kendall, left, with YMCA Executive Director Linda Daly before the crowd arrives for the Red and Black Ball Saturday night. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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