FORT MYERS, Fla. (Feb. 3, 2014) – Less than four weeks away, the Ninth Annual Evening with the Red Sox dinner and auction promises to offer a unique list of silent and live auction items this year, including the ultimate sports lover’s trip to watch the Boston Red Sox on Fenway’s Green Monster, an amazing long weekend in New York City for dinner and a Broadway show, a world-class supercar driving tour through Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas, a New Orleans getaway featuring dinner at Dickey Brennan’s Steakhouse in the French Quarter, the wine enthusiast’s dream adventure on a Napa Valley wine train and more.

Benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County, the event will be held at JetBlue Park, located at 11500 Fenway South Drive in Fort Myers, on Monday, Feb. 24 at 5:30 p.m.

“We’re excited to offer a long list of topnotch auction items to our guests who come out to support our local Boys & Girls Clubs,” said Jim Larkin, general manager of the Crowne Plaza Hotel at Bell Tower Shops and chairperson for the event. “A winning bidder might walk away with a luxury vacation or exclusive experience, but our Boys & Girls Clubs’ members will be given the ultimate winnings of a brighter future thanks to the committed businesses and individuals for their generous support.”

The evening will include a cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine, silent and live auctions, games and dinner. Red Sox players will also be in attendance signing autographs along with Red Sox Manager and American League Manager of the Year runner-up John Farrell as the event’s special-guest speaker. Last year’s event included autograph signings with Red Sox players Dustin Pedroia and Mike Napoli as well as Farrell.

Funds raised during the event will benefit the BGCLC’s after-school programs, which include homework assistance and tutoring, academic enrichment activities, extracurricular clubs, fitness and social recreation, performing arts, civic engagement and more. Last year’s Evening with the Red Sox event raised more than $90,000, providing more than 30,000 hours of service to more than 420 young people in the Lee County community who later demonstrated academic success, character and leadership development and healthier lifestyles from the agency’s programs.

“There are many at-risk youth in our community who depend the Boys & Girls Clubs to give them a safe and supportive place to turn for long-term success,” said Shannon Lane, chief professional officer for the BGCLC. “This event will help make sure there continues to be such a place for these kids and their future.”

For the third consecutive year, Ted Todd Insurance has signed on as the event’s presenting sponsor. Additional sponsors include the Coca Cola Company, Crowne Plaza Hotel at Bell Tower Shops, Encore Bank, Florida Power and Light Company, JetBlue Airways, the Red Sox Foundation, Suncoast Beverages and more. Sponsorships and tables are still available from $1,250 to $10,000. Donations for auction items are also being accepted.

The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs is to inspire and enable young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. The BGCLC strives to provide a safe, world-class Club experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who walks through its doors. The organization envisions all of its members graduating high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle. In 2014, the BGCLC will celebrate 40 years of providing quality youth programs in Lee County.

Clubs are located in communities with the greatest need where similar services are limited or nonexistent. Membership dues are $10 per school year so that all children can have access to its programs. The BGCLC relies upon the philanthropic support of individuals, corporations and foundations in order to sustain and grow its services.

For more information or to become a sponsor, contact Shannon Lane at 239-334-1886 or slane@bgclc.net, or visit www.bgclc.net.