Residents of the Santa Clarita Valley got the opportunity to listen to live music and eat dinner outside in a warm summer night, all while promoting a good cause on Saturday.
The 23rd annual Evening Under the Stars event was put on at Mann Biomedical Park in Valencia by the Michael Hoefflin Foundation which dedicates itself to providing assistance to children and their families that are suffering from cancer.
“It’s always heartbreaking but it’s uplifting,” said Chris Hoefflin, the founder of the foundation. “Hope is what we try to inspire.”
Hoefflin founded the organization after his son, Michael Hoefflin, was diagnosed with cancer and passed away as a result. Michael was only able to attend two Evening Under the Stars events before he passed away.
Hoefflin hopes to raise $500,000 at the event, which was attended by 535 guests.
The Kelly Rae Band performed at the event, being brought back by popular demand for the second year in a row.
Denise Covert attended the event for the 15th time with her husband, Joe, who has been to the event four times.
“What they do for children and their families suffering from cancer is phenomenal,” said Covert.
She was interested in buying tickets to the Magic Castle for her family during the silent auction.
The silent auction had at least 200 donated items while the live auction had 30 donated items according to Holly Cordova, the co-chair of the board of directors. Live auction items included a Picasso print as well as an autographed warm-up jersey from Kobe Bryant.
Cordova says the event started in a backyard and now is attended by hundreds of people.
“I’m so impressed with how it’s grown so much over the years,” she says.
