: Theola and Norm Kirschenbaum donned cowboy attire as they were honored with the Lee Owens Award at the Sept. 21, 2013 gala fundraiser at Friendly Hills Country Club. The annual event provides about 10 percent of the club’s annual budget.
Credit: Photo courtesy of the Boys and Girls Club of Whittier.

By Jarred Galloway
Special Correspondent
411whittier.com
WHITTIER – Several hundred people, many dressed in cowboy garb straight from the Wild West, recently came out with guns ablazing to support the Boys and Girls Club of Whittier and Whittier’s youths.
Club director Debra Arroyo estimated the event, held Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013 at Friendly Hills Country Club, raised thousands of dollars for the club, which currently serves more than 1,600 children, ages 6 to 18.
“People really liked the theme,” Arroyo said. “They all came dressed up in cowboy attire. Our silent and live auctions are always known for their quality. It’s kind of like asking a parent if their kids are cute.”
Although actual totals were not immediately available, Arroyo said the club hoped to raise $108,000. It is the group’s largest annual fundraiser.
She said 252 tickets were sold.
“It’s pretty cool to see the community come out and support the kids,” Arroyo said. “Everyone had a great time supporting the club. It’s not just a party, but how they support the club and its efforts.”
“We are very pleased with the outcome of the gala, as it usually represents approximately 10 percent of our budget each year.” said Samantha Ridout, BGCW executive director.  “Not only is it a great party each year, but the proceeds from the event go directly into serving our more than 1,600 members.”

Theola and Norm Kirschenbaum were honored for their longstanding support of the club by accepting the 2013 Lee Owens Award.
“This is such an honor,” said longtime BGCW supporter and board member Theola Kirschenbaum. “To us the Boys and Girls Club of Whittier is a great place for the community and getting the Lee Owens Award, especially honoring Lee Owens, the one who brought me onto the board, was great.”
Owens served as a longtime editor of the Whittier Daily News and has a park across the street from the BGCW on Greenleaf Avenue named in his honor.
And the importance of the club to the community?
“Because all of the boys and girls there are our future,” Kirschenbaum said.
Jarred Galloway can be reached at soccerbrojarred@gmail.com