Kids come first at Boys & Girls gala

Honorees embody group’ s mission



AN EVENING OF GOODWILL— Above, Boys & Girls Clubs board of governors member Amer Soudani of Westlake Village receives the organization’s 2019 Cal Johnston Service Award for his help in the design and construction of the Rocky and Lon Morton club in Newbury Park. Presenting the award are gala chairman Gary Stephani, above left, and club chief executive Crystal Naone.

AN EVENING OF GOODWILL— Above, Boys & Girls Clubs board of governors member Amer Soudani of Westlake Village receives the organization’s 2019 Cal Johnston Service Award for his help in the design and construction of the Rocky and Lon Morton club in Newbury Park. Presenting the award are gala chairman Gary Stephani, above left, and club chief executive Crystal Naone.

The Conejo Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley returned to its roots last Saturday night and paid an emotional tribute to the organization’s founder and longtime leader, Cal Johnston.

The Boys & Girls’ 17th annual gala dinner and auction at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village also honored Johnston’s wife, Marje, a supporter and active committee member of the local clubs since they were founded in 2001.

The couple was introduced by Westlake’s Jim Cathcart, emcee of the Sept. 14 event.

“They’ve helped so many thousands of kids in the community and they have left a legacy for future generations,” Cathcart said.

The clubs serve more than 4,000 kids, regardless of family income, at nine public school campuses from Calabasas to Newbury Park.

“Just drop in on one of our clubs and watch the kids, because that’s what it’s all about,” said Jeff Johnston, the couple’s son and Boys & Girls chairman of the board.

At left, talented club kids perform an upbeat dance number on stage.

At left, talented club kids perform an upbeat dance number on stage.

The event silent and live auctions raised money for club programs and resources.

“You have been the ones who have made this a great time in our community,” Cal Johnston told the more than 400 donors and guests in attendance.

Last year, thanks to the fundraiser, the organization was able to give more than $660,000 in scholarships that helped support 875 members from low-income families.

“When you give, you get a lot more back,” Johnston said.

At the event, Amer Soudani, a Boys & Girls board of governor for the past 10 years, was given the clubs’ 2019 Cal Johnston Service Award.

Soudani, a North Ranch resident, was instrumental in the design and construction of the Rocky and Lon Morton Club at Sequoia Middle School in Newbury Park. Soudani, a successful building contractor from Westlake Village, also played a key role in helping to open the new John L. Notter Family Club at Redwood Middle in Thousand Oaks.

During the evening program, the organization presented its annual Youth of Year awards, always a crowd favorite.

“The club taught me life skills that school did not,” said 12th-grader Renique McNeil from the Marion and John E. Anderson Club in T.O.

“I discovered the best version of me,” said Renique, who was raised by a single mother.

Ninth-grader Joshua Greenburg said he struggled in school with autism and bullying and that his attendance at the Cal and Marje Johnston club in T.O. helped him overcome his adversity.

“I learned how to express my emotions and feel comfortable around other people,” Joshua said.

“When you’re around people who care, that’s important and that’s when things change,” Cathcart said.

The clubs are assisted by more than 100 youth and 400 adult volunteers. For more information about involvement and contributing visit www.bgcconejo.org.