Entrepreneur Jim Jonassen to Be Honored at Santa Monica Boys & Girls Clubs Annual Kids Auction & Gala

Santa Monica, CA, November 5, 2015 (Newswire.com) - The Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica (SMBGC) will host its 40th Annual Great Futures Gala at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 13 at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, 101 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica. This year’s event honors executive recruiter Jim Jonassen, for his volunteer service to the organization, which includes connecting the Club with the resources needed to install technology centers on several of the Club’s campuses.

Since 2007, ThursdayNights, the nonprofit organization Jonassen co-founded, has raised and donated over $500,000 to select causes focused on at-risk youth in the local community. For the first three years, its efforts and resources were directed solely at SMBGC and its technology programs. To date, the Club has received the largest portion of the proceeds raised.

My father taught me the importance of giving back to the community and I've made it a priority to incorporate that philosophy into my business every day. Over the years, our nonprofit, ThursdayNights, has inspired and motivated many people in the tech and digital community to invest in our local youth

Jim Jonassen, Honoree

“My father taught me the importance of giving back to the community and I’ve made it a priority to incorporate that philosophy into my business every day. Over the years, our nonprofit, ThursdayNights, has inspired and motivated many people in the tech and digital community to invest in our local youth,” said Jonassen. “The funds raised at the events go back to kids. These kids need us now, and it’s our job to give it to them.”

The Great Futures Gala celebrates the 4,000-plus youth whose lives are enriched each day by SMBGC. The gala is the Club’s largest fundraiser and all proceeds support the many services and programs the Club provides through 10 club sites within Santa Monica and Culver City.

The evening will include a gourmet dinner, cocktails and wine, along with silent and live auctions. Last year, more than 450 attendees helped the club raise $500,000 and organizers aim to raise more this year.

For more information or to submit an auction item or donation, contact Caitlin Obringer at [email protected] or call 310-361-8500.

Founded in 1944, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica works to inspire and enable all young people to reach their full potential as caring, responsible and productive citizens. Through membership and outreach, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica currently serves approximately 4,000 youth across its 10 sites throughout Los Angeles County. Members come from 131 different ZIP codes, with the majority of members coming from Santa Monica, Culver City, Venice, West Los Angeles and Inglewood. For more information, visit http://www.smbgc.org or follow them on Facebook (facebook.com/smbgcfan) and Twitter (twitter.com/SMBGC).