FORT MYERS, Fla. (Jan. 23, 2013) – This year’s Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County’s Evening with the Red Sox dinner and auction is moving to a new venue.

“This event is one that the Red Sox Foundation has supported for many years, and now that our new spring training home is complete, what better place to hold an evening with our team than at JetBlue Park,” said Katie Haas, director of Florida business operations. “This is just another one of the unique ways Fenway South is being utilized for the Southwest Florida community.”

Now in its eighth year, the evening will take place Monday, Feb. 18, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at JetBlue Park at Fenway South, the Red Sox’s new 106-acre Spring Training and Player Development Complex, located at 11500 Daniels Parkway.

For the third consecutive year, Ted Todd Insurance has signed on as the event’s presenting sponsor. Additional sponsors include the Red Sox Foundation, CVS Pharmacy, Coca Cola, JetBlue Airlines, Suncoast Beverage and the Crowne Plaza, the event’s previous host site.

The evening will include a cocktail reception with complimentary beer and wine, autograph signings, silent and live auctions, and dinner. Red Sox Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Sam Kennedy will serve as the evening’s guest speaker.

A highlight of the auction includes the Ultimate Fenway Red Sox Experience featuring a trip for four to Boston with airfare on JetBlue Airlines, three-night accommodations, seats for four at two Red Sox games and a stadium tour. Additional auction items include vacation trips, sports memorabilia and more.

Last year’s event raised more than $100,000, which assisted the agency in serving 1,365 young people ages 6 to 18 years old.

“These youth rely on the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County to provide a safe place to explore their interests and learn valuable life skills,” said Shannon Lane, director of operations for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County.

“This cannot be accomplished without the generous support of businesses and individuals in our community.”

“There are just too many ‘at-risk’ youth out there who need the Boys & Girls Clubs to give them a safe and supporting role in their life,” said Jim Larkin, general manager of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Fort Myers and chairperson for the event. “This event will help make sure there is such a place for them.”

Sponsorships and corporate tables are available from $1,250 to $10,000.

The Red Sox will host 20 games in its second year at the state-of-the-art complex. The team begins its 2013 spring game schedule on Thursday, Feb. 21, with the traditional, single-admission double-header against the Northeastern University Huskies and Boston College Eagles starting at 1:35 p.m.

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. Membership dues are $10 per school year so that all students can have access to the programs. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County relies on the philanthropic support of individuals, corporations and foundations in order to sustain and grow its services.

For more information or for table or sponsorships, contact Shannon Lane at 239-334-1886 or slane@bgclc.net.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County

Red Sox Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Sam Kennedy