Big Brothers Big Sisters crab feed a smashing success

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Sierra (BBBSNS) hosted its annual Crackin' Crab for Kids fundraiser recently and declared it was a smashing success. The event was held at the El Dorado County Fair & Event Center and welcomed community members, sponsors, volunteers and local leaders who gathered with the shared purpose: to stand up for youth in the region. "Our community showed up in a remarkable way," said Florence Parks, chief executive officer of BBBSNS. "Crackin' Crab for Kids demonstrates what is possible when people from our community unite around a shared commitment to our youth. The support we witnessed is not only inspiring, it directly fuels transformative mentoring relationships that support youth right here in our own backyard." Some of the volunteer groups who dedicated much time and energy to the event included Hands 4 Hope, Placerville Kiwanis (club members and student Key Clubs of Golden Sierra, Ponderosa and El Dorado high schools), Gold Country Basketball, New Morning Youth and Family Services, the El Dorado High School girls varsity basketball team, 4-H, FFA and Sierra Community Access Television Channel 2. Crab Feed sponsors included El Dorado Disposal, Toogood Estate Winery, Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, Doug Veerkamp General Engineering Inc., Marshall Medical Center and Thompsons Family of Dealerships. Platinum sponsors included Daybreak Metro, Community Architecture Inc., Michael J. Galloway and Gary Lardy & Dawn Corsaut. The Gold sponsor was Dave & Sharon Handler, and the Silver sponsor was El Dorado Savings. The Bronze sponsor was Arata. Specialty sponsors included Sam & Sharon Smith, the Zappettini Family Fund and the LoveSomeBody Band, Troublemakers Beer Garden, Francis/Sierra Ice, Corvus Communications and Windfall Magazine. Planning is already underway for next year's celebration on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2027, featuring the same beloved caterer of Silvio's Ravioli Factory and Catering and classic R&B band - the LoveSomebodyBand. To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Sierra, become a mentor, or make a donation to help reach $100,000 by the end of Quarter 1 (March 31), visit www.bbbsns.org and click on Donate Today.