Two things that are familiar to Santa Maria residents are the Boys & Girls Club and barbecues on Saturday. Both of these elements are coming together to raise money for a great cause. On Saturday, Aug. 17, the Alumni Club of the Boys & Girls Club will be host to a benefit barbecue to raise money for Jilly.
The 5-year-old Santa Maria resident was diagnosed with a rare form of pediatric leukemia last December. Since then, she has endured months of treatment. Her parents are also encountering adversity and struggling to pay the mounting medical bills, as well as to stay strong through this difficult time. Bill Libbon—Boys & Girls Club executive director and Jilly’s grandfather—is truly thankful for the support.
“The Alumni Club of the Boys & Girls Club have taken it upon themselves to help my daughter’s family. I believe that the values that the club helped instill in these men as youths had a lot to do with it,” Libbon said.
The Boys & Girls Club mission is “to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.”
The group has helped hundreds of youth in the community. The money raised through the barbecue will be used to help with hospital bills, transportation to Stanford Medical Center, food, and lodging. Jilly travels to Stanford at least once a week.
This article appears in Aug 8-15, 2013.