Omega Boys Club 20th Anniversary Recap

Febraury 5th, 2008

Omega Boys Club celebrated its 20th anniversary in high style in the grand Julia Morgan Ballroom atop of the Merchants Exchange Building in San Francisco's Financial District. The event's energy level soared into the stratosphere as more than 250 friends, family members and guests were immersed in the spirit that has propelled Omega "from the street corners of San Francisco to the four corners of the world."

Displays of art, poetry and essays by Omega's current students riveted the attention of those who attended the evening's opening reception. Signs throughout the venue acknowledged the support of numerous corporate, foundation and individual sponsors whose financial backing was key in the evening's $174,150 fundraising success.

Subdued lighting, spectacular floral displays, and the ambiance of the oak-paneled Julia Morgan Ballroom welcomed guests to the dinner and program portion of the celebration. A small silver box at each place setting contained a crystal cube with the celebration's globe and 20th anniversary banner logo and the "From the street corners of San Francisco to the four corners of the world" theme laser-etched in the glass.

The story of Omega's first two decades of service was described in the words of those most familiar with the successes - past and current students, current collegians and Omega's college grads, friends and family members and even the principal of one of Omega's adopted public schools.

Jennifer Walker, an Omega collegian who graduated from Clark Atlanta in 1995, told of her recent successes as a real estate agent and pledged a $2,500 donation to Omega. Another, pre-recorded "caller," checked in from his office in South Africa to say how much he had benefited by attending the Omega Training Institute in June 2007,and how he was looking forward to Dr. Marshall's State Department-sponsored trip to South Africa in November.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom gave a five-minute testimonial about the importance of Omega Boys Club and Street Soldiers in his city.

Rather than ending, the evening's celebration switched briefly to acknowledge the launch of Omega's next 20 years of service, and then was put on "PAUSE" until next time. The celebration of Omega's successes, like its efforts to keep young people throughout the world alive and free, should never stop.

Corporate & Foundation Sponsors

Individual Sponsors

Wineries

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