April 11, 2018

Today’s Kids, Tomorrow’s Stars

Jody Jackson and Derrick Hall PHOTO BY PAUL GITELSON; Randy Johnson and 2018 Youth of the Year Cyrus Martinez

Derrick Hall and the Arizona Diamondbacks helped the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix hit one out of the ballpark at the annual Today’s Kids, Tomorrow’s Stars fundraiser. The March 17 gala drew 950 guests to the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa and netted more than $2.2 million to support the 13 Clubhouses around the Valley and the 11,000-plus youth served.

Hall, CEO of the Arizona Diamondbacks, was honored with the Heart of a Champion Award by the Torch Club youth from the Swift Branch, who presented the award along with Leonel Cano Leon, 2017 Youth of the Year. The event honored both Hall and the Arizona Diamondbacks for their 20 years of support for BGCMP and the greater Arizona nonprofit community. During the program, Jody Jackson of Fox Sports Arizona interviewed Hall about the Dbacks philanthropic efforts over the years.

Dbacks Archie Bradley and Taijuan Walker acted as the All-Star team managers during the Youth of the Year program. The two popular players presented the 13 Youth of the Year teens with Diamondbacks jerseys bearing their names.

Selected from the 13 outstanding youth, Cyrus Martinez was named Youth of the Year by BGCMP. The prestigious honor is bestowed upon an exemplary young person in recognition of leadership, service, academic excellence and dedication to live a healthy lifestyle.

The fundraising efforts included silent and live auctions as well as a donor call from BGCMP president and CEO Marcia Mintz. In addition, the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation surprised organizers with a $350,000 donation to BGCMP and another $50,000 from Major League Baseball. Emily and Zack Greinke’s foundation contributed an additional $150,000. Some of those dollars will be used for an upgrade for the Diamondbacks Branch Teen Center.

Following dinner, guests kicked off their shoes and grabbed flip-flops to enjoy a 10^th Inning after-party with music, cigars and more.

PHOTOS BELOW BY MARK SKALNY, COURTESY BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF METRO PHOENIX

Dianea Rodriguez, Bob & Renee Parsons Branch; Melanie Moreno, Jerry & Helen Wisotsky Branch, Peoria; Kevin McHolland, BGCMP board chair; and Becky McHolland