A sold-out event, this year’s barbecue fundraiser for special needs children brought in generous donations from attendees.

More than $130,000 was raised at an Evening with Jack’s Helping Hand (JHH), which was held at the Santa Margarita Ranch on Saturday, July 10th.

This year’s turnout was the largest the event has seen with more than 650 guests.

Guests were treated to a delicious barbecue buffet, live music from a mariachi band and the Bangin’ 58s, a lively auction with the talented auctioneer, Jim Settle and the good company of others who share the passion for assisting special needs children in San Luis Obispo County.

From wine and art to vacation give-aways, a long list of local individuals and businesses generously donated high value items to make the live auction a success. $91,000 was raised from the live auction alone.

"The money that we raised will support all of our programs that help meet the unmet physical, mental and medical needs of special children and their families in our community including our Assistance Program, Teen Yoga, Parent Support Group, Little Swimmers, and our Adaptive Toy Lending Libraries,” said Mary Illingworth, Charitable Administrator.

“JHH just opened a second Toy Lending Library, Katie’s Korner in Paso Robles. There is a continued need for programs to be closer to North and South County families, we look forward to expanding more of our programs in the future," Illingworth added.

In addition to all the great programs they currently offer, JHH continues to work tirelessly towards the dream of building the Jack Ready Imagination Park in Nipomo.

“We are getting closer as we continue to work toward meeting County requirements and anxiously wait to hear back from a state grant that we have applied for which will cover the cost of building the park,” Illingworth said. If all goes as planned the park will be completed by sometime in 2011.

Since 2004, Jack’s Helping Hand has been providing help in the way of specialized equipment, transportation to out-of-town specialists, innovative treatments and therapies, plus toys and other devices that help children with all manner of injury and illness to live happier, healthier, fuller lives.

For more information on Jack’s Helping Hand’s current programs and services or to donate, call 547-1914 or log onto www.jackshelpinghand.org.