The Future of West Sacramento Youth: Wanna Bet on It?

Monday, October 19, 2009

When it comes to the youth of your city, there's really no such thing as gambling. There's only investing.

So goes the thinking at the Collings Teen Center, which on Nov. 13 will host its inaugural Ace of Hearts Monte Carlo Nite and Auction, with all proceeds going to the center that impacts hundreds of West Sacramento teenagers every week.

"We're kind of thinking that this is how you put the 'fun' into fundraiser," said Don Bosley, CTC's executive director. "Put a bunch of people in a rockin' room with a bunch of gaming tables on Friday the 13th and find out if they really feel lucky..."

Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door. The ticket price will earn each attendee a stack of chips that can be used at blackjack tables, Texas Hold 'em, craps tables and roulette. Those chips will then be used later on to bid on great auction items such as vacation getaways, golf adventures, and more.

Complimentary hors d'oeuvres, desserts and non-alcoholic beverages will be served throughout the evening by students from the teen center.

"It ain't gamblin' if you can't lose," Bosley said. "And since it all benefits the kids of our city, you can't."

Open since 2004, the Collings Teen Center serves hundreds of teenagers every week in its After-School Drop-In program. The center served more than 14,000 free, hot meals in its Late Lunch program during the 2008-09 academic year, and also offers tutoring, job-skills training, life-skills training, sports and recreation tournaments, free internet access, enrichment trips, and connections to dozens of other youth agencies fighting for the empowerment of youth.

For tickets call (916) 375-0681. For more information go to www.collingsteencenter.org or see the Collings Teen Center Facebook page.