Guest speakers included the club's Executive Director Nicole Forsyth who enlightened the crowd about programs and services and the value of community to the youth served by the SVBGC. Courtesy photo/SVBGC

NASHUA – The Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley marked a major milestone on Nov. 22 as more than 200 supporters filled a banquet room at the Nashua Country Club to share in the organization’s 25th Annual Gala & Auction, a Silver Jubilee celebration drawing patrons mostly garbed in glitzy evening apparel.

“Today, more than 700 youth from Milford and 17 other towns rely on the SVBGC for academic support, athletics, a vibrant arts program and a top-notch theater community,” said Nicole Forsyth, executive director of the club at 56 Mont Vernon Street in Milford.

“Our Teen Center projects, STEAM learning programs and a safe, welcoming environment foster a confidence and connection among all of us,” she added.

Guests radiated the night’ s celebratory and meaningful energy upon being reminded by Forsyth that the club’s mission is to enable all young people, especially those most in need, to reach their full potential as caring, responsible citizens.

The evening’s elegant fare of scallops wrapped in bacon, tender beef or chicken, plus veggies and desserts of rich chocolate brownies crowned with vanilla ice cream was prepared by Executive Chef Joe Allison and his team of culinary professionals.

A magnificent ice sculpture, a frozen work of art saluting the recent Silver Jubilee Gala and Auction benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley, provides a sparkling centerpiece for party goers, from left, DJ Garcia of Wilton; Dmitri and Irene Bobilev of Lyndeborough; Ben and Jessica Forleo of Merrimack; Amy Garcia of Wilton; Brad Freeman of Lyndeborough, Duane and Karen Forleo of Lyndeborough; Christine Doherty of Lyndeborough; Jason Hacker of Milford and Colin and Stacie Murdough of Lyndeborough. The sculpture was donated by Duane and Karen Forlio and crafted by Dennis Hickey and Dave Soha of Icebreakers in Manchester.  Courtesy photo/SVBGC

A live auction generated bidding battles gladly surrendered to the most generous.

Attendees vied for elite travel experiences, local resort getaways, fine dining packages, one-of-a-kind artwork, jewelry and deluxe home decor accessories, all won with the auctioneer’s final yelp of the words, “Sold!”

Holly Bly, director of development, noted that the Silver Jubilee for the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley underscored the values which make the Souhegan Valley community remarkable — supporters coming together to create opportunities for kids to dream big, discover their strengths and build bright futures.

“The Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley extends heartfelt gratitude to every sponsor, donor, volunteer and guest who made this year’s gala such a shining success,” Bly added.

Funds raised through the SVBGC Silver Jubilee support accessible programming, improvements to the club, 56 Mont Vernon St., in Milford, and the routine stewardship that creates a home away from home for area youth.

Steve Desmarais of Amherst is presented with a custom painting of himself doing some spirited auctioneering, a work of art gifted to him in appreciation of his extraordinary talents as an auctioneer and his 25 years of dedication to making the SVBGC annual auctions truly special. Courtesy photo/SVBGC

More information on the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley, serving for 25 years the young citizens of Amherst, Brookline, Hollis, Lyndeborough, Mason, Milford, Mont Vernon and Wilton is available online at svbgc.org.