This year’s Tailgate Fundraiser was an incredible success!

Thanks to over 240 attendees, 55 silent auction items, 4 LIVE auction items, 20 event sponsors, and some very generous donations, we were able to raise almost $23,000. This blows away any amount raised at any fundraiser we’ve held in the past by $14,000. We also picked up another $5000 in pledges for the next year. We appreciate your support and patience on a evening with almost twice as many in attendance as was expected.

Here’s  some highlight pictures captured by a previous student, Alita Pontius, who has also recently started her own photography business.

As the doors opened and guests rolled in, many of you had the chance to meet some of our students face to face. The Silent action was open as many people began to participate and out bid each other. We started the evening with our video of 3 previous students explaining in their own words how Building Twentyone impacted their lives. As we dismissed for the homemade tailgate dinner prepared by our Culinary Arts program chef, Chris Fox, we quickly began to realize there were more guests than we ever imagined.

We introduced our partnership with Artistic Crossfit, ended Silent Auction 1, and dinner. Then we began to introduce the impact Building Twentyone has made to so many students. We heard from those volunteers directly involved on a daily basis, then students shared their own experiences and what Building Twentyone meant to them. Finally, Executive Director, Benjamin Schartow, followed up with an emotional vision casting and ask for partnership. This led to the largest amount of donations we’ve ever received in our 7 1/2 year history.

Guests now headed to the amazing desserts as Silent Auction 2 ended. The night was almost over with just one thing left to do. Live Auctioneer, Jason Buher, made the packed house come alive as we witnessed a hand-built, Michigan Adirondack sell for $1800. Incredible!

Thank you to everyone who supported us this year. Realizing the tragic loss of our building in a fire was most likely the catalyst to such a successful event, we hope this is just the beginning to many more successful fundraisers in the future. We are making a difference in the lives of hundreds of students across our community; building healthy habits and relationships, and challenging them to find their passion and purpose. Your continued support is appreciated as we move forward into not only rebuilding a structure, but also creating a positive youth culture where students find their place.