malibu.patch.com/articles/supporters-honored-at-boys-girls-club-10th-anniversary-celebrationSupporters Honored at Boys & Girls Club 10th Anniversary Celebration
The celebration takes place at the home of Liane and Richard Weintraub.
By Sharon Cotal | May 8, 2011
From left: Lisa and William Curtis, Keely Brosnan and Violet Miehle are honored at the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu’s 10th anniversary celebration Saturday at the home of Liane and Richard Weintraub.
John C. McGinley with wife Nichole (left) and Violet Miehle, Boys & Girls Club of America California Youth of the Year winner.
Boys & Girls Club of Malibu Board President Jack McShane and his wife Kelly.
The Boys & Girls Club of Malibu Glee Club perform at the gala.
The Boys & Girls Club of Malibu celebrated its 10th anniversary Saturday night with a “Hang Ten” gala at the beautiful seaside estate of longtime supporters Liane and Richard Weintraub.
Women in flowing sundresses and men in light linen suits—or board shorts—attended the event. And one remarkable young woman was given the star treatment.
Violet Miehle, 17, a seven-year member of the Malibu club was recently named the 2011 California Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Club of America. Despite being diagnosed with dyslexia in elementary school, Violet worked hard to succeed academically while helping other children with learning disabilities.
“Because of my dyslexia, I was sometimes picked on and made fun of by my peers,” Violet said. “People just automatically judge special-needs kids, but they are really great kids if people would just take the time to get to know them.”
Getting involved with the Boys & Girls Club and participating in some of its programs like SMART Girls and Career Launch helped her make friends and the club staff became like family, Violet said.
“The Boys & Girls Club is a truly amazing club and the programs that they offer have changed my life,” she said. “I don’t know where I’d be without them. It’s a place to go where everybody feels accepted.”
Also at the event, Keely and Pierce Brosnan were recognized for their longtime support of the club.
“They’ve been part of the organization since before it was even founded," said Kasey Earnest, the club's executive director.
Keely Brosnan said she and her husband got involved with the creation of the club because they saw the need for a place for Malibu teens to gather to make friends, do their homework and get involved with the community.
“I think the Malibu Boys & Girls Club provides exactly that,” Brosnan said. “It’s been a joy to watch it flourish the last 10 years. It seems to be having a very positive influence on the community.”
She said her husband was disappointed when he was called away early to start rehearsals for the film “All You Need is Love” in Italy, making it impossible for him to attend the gala.
“He was really sad that he couldn’t come,” Brosnan said. “He’s the one who came to me 12 years ago with the idea for a teen center and said, ‘Let’s do this.’”
Other founding members and longtime supporters who were honored at the event were Mark Benjamin, Robyn Moore and Lisa and William Curtis.
“Each of tonight’s honorees raised kids in Malibu and knows the personal challenges of growing up here,” Earnest said.
Daniel and Laure Stern, founding board members of the Malibu Foundation for Youth & Families, which started the club, attended Saturday's celebration.
“The kids have got to have something to do, and there is just as much risky behavior out here in Malibu as there is anywhere,” Daniel Stern said. “At the Boys & Girls Club, they can not only stay out of trouble, but they can also get homework help and mentoring.”
After dinner and an awards ceremony emceed by comedian Elayne Boosler, guests were entertained by the rock band Petty Cash, which performed the music of Tom Petty and Johnny Cash.
