Home / Featured Text / [EVENT] The Mezcal King to Support Ruiz 4 Kids Special Event
The Mezcal King will be pouring the award winning Sacacuento and Agave de Cortes Mezcal this Friday, October 21st at 6 pm in the Visalia Convention Center in support of the Ruiz 4 Kids Foundation’s “Embracing Children’s Dreams Fiesta”. Come attend this important event and also taste our fine Mezcal from Oaxaca, Mexico.
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Ruiz 4 Kids is ready to Fiesta! And four kid-serving nonprofits are set to benefit from all the fantastic frivolity, fabulous food, and eclectic entertainment from this annual fundraiser. This year´s beneficiaries are: Blind Babies Foundation, Boys & Girls Club of the Sequoias, Family Services of Tulare County, and Visalia PAL.
On the evening of October 21st, the Visalia Convention Center will come alive with the sights, sounds and aromas of Mexico. The Embracing Children´s Dreams Fiesta will feature an abundance of Mexican cuisine, a Casino de la Fiesta, the Latin rhythms of Kemaya, a live and silent auction, and the very popular Tequila Tasting.
It´s a night you won´t want to miss. Please read below about last year´s record-setting event.
For two decades, Ruiz 4 Kids has been a driving force in the philanthropic community, raising over $1,565,000 for organizations serving Tulare County children. Now fast-forward to 2010—with the 20th year resulting in a record-setting accomplishment—over $192,000 in funding to be distributed by Ruiz 4 Kids to four kid-serving nonprofits.
The funds are the outcome of Ruiz 4 Kids’ annual Embracing Children’s Dreams Fiesta which was held on October 7, 2010 at the Visalia Convention Center. Featuring an abundance of Mexican cuisine, the popular tequila tasting, a live and silent auction, a Casino de la Fiesta, and the Latin rhythms of Kemaya; over 600 people were in attendance.
The silent and live auction portion of the program raised over $70,000—more than doubling the amount brought in via bidding wars in previous events. Generous business sponsors also contributed heavily to the final figure. In addition to Ruiz Foods and the Ruiz Family, top sponsors included Aramark, BulbStorm, Downs Food Group, Miller Milling, and Revcom Advertising & Design.
“The success and popularity of the event may come from the fact it honors four outstanding organizations each year,” said Kim Ruiz Beck, Chairman Ruiz Foods and Ruiz 4 Kids Advisor. “Certainly people show up to support their favorite organization or, in many cases…organizations, and Ruiz 4 Kids works hard to pick the most worthy beneficiaries.”
The funds will be awarded to the Boys & Girls Club of the Sequoias, CASA of Tulare County, Family Services of Tulare County, and Visalia Police Activities League. The four provide urgent and critical services to Central Valley children.
According to Debbie Terry, Vice President of the Visalia Police Activities League, the added funding from Ruiz 4 Kids allows PAL to continue to build partnerships between youth, police, and the community programs designed to encourage and develop good citizenship and improve the quality of life in the Visalia area. “It will also allow the PAL Center to remain open during these difficult financial times,” said Terry. “The program provides much needed shelter, safety and a positive environment for the children and youth in the North Visalia area.”
CASA Executive Director Marilyn Barr feels likewise concerning Ruiz 4 Kids support. According to Barr, CASA is able to enhance their recruitment and training efforts thereby increasing the number of volunteers available for the abused and neglected children of Tulare County. CASA has been a Ruiz 4 Kids beneficiary organization since 2008.
“As a result of these last two years of funding from Ruiz 4 Kids, CASA has recruited and trained more volunteers than at any time in our 25 year history,” said Barr. “After thorough screening and training, those committed volunteers that make it through, provide life-changing advocacy for our most vulnerable children.”
But even with the support of Ruiz 4 Kids, Barr added there are always more abused children waiting for a volunteer, than there are trained available volunteers.
Beck said the crucial needs of children, and the critical needs of the organizations who serve them remain at the forefront of Ruiz 4 Kids’ efforts. “We understand the funding cutbacks effecting the organizations serving children,” said Beck. “Although we see some ease in the economic crisis, it will take longer for donor-dependent, nonprofit organizations to recover.”
As serious as Ruiz 4 Kids is about fueling services to children, the organization also believes in celebrating the accomplishments of those who make a measurable difference in the lives children.
In addition to supporting the chosen organizations, the event also honored Gary and Jennifer Geiger as the recipients of the 2010 Danza Award. Ruiz Foods and Ruiz 4 Kids created the annual Danza award to pay tribute to people who have given an abundance of community service.
“Gary and Jennifer are great assets to our community and exemplify true leadership. Their commitment and passion for community service in the Central Valley makes them the perfect choice,” said Beck.
The Geiger’s own 22 Burger Kings and contribute to a vast variety of community and youth activities, but their most important accomplishment is the formation of The Miracle League of Visalia, a baseball field built for physically and mentally challenged children and adults. Thanks to the Geiger’s, The Miracle League of Visalia has improved and brightened the lives of hundreds of children.
“When we talk about embracing children’s dreams, the Geiger’s exemplify the selfless service it takes to do so,” added Beck. “They have truly provided opportunities to inspire hope and change in children’s lives, and that is what embracing children’s dreams is all about.”
