John Quiñones to be recognized at BGCSA Youth of the Year Gala

The Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio (BGCSA) will host its annual Youth of the Year Gala at the Witte Museum, Mays Family Center, 3801 Broadway, at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 8, 2023. In addition to celebrating the accomplishments of current club members, the Youth of the Year Gala will feature the presentation of the prestigious Champion for Youth award to BGCSA alum, John Quiñones.

An ABC Correspondent and host of “What Would You Do?”, Quiñones is a former member of the Calderon Clubhouse on San Antonio’s westside, and credits much of his success to his time there. “The Boys and Girls Club in my old neighborhood in San Antonio had everything to do with the man I am today. The club kept me out of trouble, introducing me to sports, teamwork, good ethics and morals,” he says. “In fact, I think my time with the Boys & Girls Club might well have planted the idea for this ABC TV show that I created years later, called, ‘What Would You Do?’ The club taught me the importance of always trying to do the right thing. And, for that, I am eternally grateful.”

The evening culminates with the Youth of the Year award which is given to a current BGCSA member, who demonstrates outstanding leadership skills and team-player mentality, while exemplifying the BGCSA mission and the impact BGCSA clubs make in transforming and saving kids’ lives.

The winner will be announced from among five finalists, representing clubhouses from around the city, who will present speeches about their time with BGCSA and its effect on their lives. Each of the finalists receives a Whataburger-For-A-Year gift basket courtesy of Whataburger and an iPad, courtesy of Security Service Federal Credit Union which also donates a laptop for the overall winner.

A free cocktail hour from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. opens the evening, during which Mr. Quiñones will be signing books. A multi-course plated dinner catered by the RK Group will be paired with wines.

An online auction features a plethora of options from portrait sessions to a staycation at La Cantera Resort & Spa to a Broadway-themed New York City getaway. A raffle featuring two options – a wagon of premium whiskeys and one with liquors of all kinds will also be available for bidding. Both auction and raffle can be accessed through the event’s website: https://us.givergy.com/youthoftheyeargala/?controller=home You need not be present to bid or win.

Individual tickets for $300 are available, as well as sponsorships of $3000, $5000, $10,000, $15,000 and $25,000. All sponsorships include a table for at least 10 people plus special perks which may be viewed at: https://us.givergy.com/youthoftheyeargala/?controller=tickets.

For more information, please contact India Chumney at ichumney@begreatsa.org or
visit: https://us.givergy.com/youthoftheyeargala/?controller=home.

Money raised during the event will be used to fund the BGCSA’s nationally recognized youth programs that address today’s most pressing youth issues, and focus on academic success, healthy lifestyles, character and leadership, all of which teach young people the skills they need to succeed in life.

Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio (BGCSA) mission is to inspire youth, especially those most in need, to achieve their full potential in a safe, positive, and engaging environment that promotes education, health, and character development. A nonprofit organization, the BGCSA provides a life changing club experience, assuring success is within reach of every young person who enters its doors. All Club members are on track to graduate from high school with a future plan, demonstrating good character and citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle. To learn more about BGCSA, visit our website, https://begreatsa.org/about-us.