If you corner one of the dozens of Oakdale High coaches in the produce section at a local grocery store and ask them how you can help benefit their respective program, he or she will probably finish spinning that bag of apples and offer a simple reply:
“Talk to the Booster Club.”
The Oakdale High School Sports Booster Club — now in its 36th year of existence — has been hugely instrumental in equipping and supporting the various athletic programs at OHS.
Their monetary support (nearly $300,000 since 2007) has directly allowed sports teams to thrive and often achieve elite status among the best teams of the Sac-Joaquin Section and Valley Oak League, in every single sport.
And the best time to jump on the Booster Club bandwagon is now.
Saturday, March 5 will see the arrival of the highly anticipated OHS Sports Booster Club Annual Dinner, Dance and Auction at the F.E.S. Hall in Oakdale.
This year’s theme of “Mustang Pride” is expected to provide some stunning visual examples of prolific Oakdale High success from current Mustang students who continue to thrive at one of the top athletic schools in the state across any division.
“The event committee is putting together a unique atmosphere, decoration and feel of an event to reflect the success of existing student athletes at Oakdale High,” club president Kevin Brunk said. “You will come into the F.E.S. Hall knowing that you are at an athletic function.”
Brunk said he hopes the event will build upon the tremendous success of last year’s Dinner, Dance and Auction, which celebrated the club’s 35th year of existence and raised around $15,000 for Mustang athletics.
But much like the Oakdale High teams they support, the Booster Club is striving for even greater success with each year. Brunk said the program is shooting for a lofty goal of $25,000 raised at the 2011 event.
The expectations rally around the big steps already taken by board members and event co-chairs Judy Alvey and Lisa MacDonald. The pair has organized available table sponsorships to reserve seating for eight people and sponsor recognition at the table and in the event program.
Individual tickets are also currently on sale for $50 each, and like last year, the club is still searching for more terrific prizes to be auctioned off.
The event kicks off with a 6 p.m. social hour and 7 p.m. dinner, followed by silent and live auctions, live music from the popular band Remedy and of course, dancing.
Alvey will serve as the go-to contact for sponsorships, auction items, volunteer opportunities or ticket sales. She can be reached at 209-614-3941 or judyalvey@gmail.com.
