Benefit dinner raises $3,000 to create chances for local children

Saturday’s dinner at The Duke, hosted by Anthony and Nancy Smith, raised nearly $3,000 to benefit Maricopa’s “Chances for Children” programs.

The 75 guests dined on beef tenderloins, stuffed filet of fish, grilled shrimp and rosemary potatoes while live music provided a holiday atmosphere.

Events sponsors were H&N Landscape and Smith for Mayor. Anthony’s Cleaning Services, LLC, Retain Councilman Edward Farrell, Re-elect Vice-Mayor Brent Murphree and Shell Rapid Lube were table sponsors.

Susan Loken coached Team Chances, the 40 Maricopans who ran the P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon last January. Loken, an elite marathon runner from the Valley, was the reigning USA Masters Marathon Champion for the past three years and a two-time Olympic Marathon trials qualifier. She explained the Chances for Children program to the fundraiser’s guests.

Chances for Children is a nonprofit organization committed to improving the quality of life for local youth with programs that provide access to sports, education and character education. It organized and trained participants in the first Maricopa Fit Family program this summer, which involved 26 local families. “We showed them how to exercise and play together,” said Loken. “Today with all the video games and technology, families have forgotten how to play together.”

In addition, Chances for Children, in cooperation with the Maricopa Unified School District, began an exercise program this fall at Santa Rosa Elementary School (see related story) with incentives for the children like shirts, Nike shoes and trips to three races in the state.

At the end of the evening, sealed cans bearing the various sponsors’ logos provided the opportunity to “pop your top.” Twenty lucky individuals found winning numbers inside their cans, entitling them to prizes like a Compaq Presario Laptop Computer, a Vizio 19″ HDTV, a JVC Digital Video Camera and others. The remaining guests took home beautifully crafted ornaments from the large Christmas tree in the foyer.

“It was a wonderful way to start the holiday season,” said Nancy Smith.

Photo by Joyce Hollis