Another sold-out event, the fifth annual BBQ fundraiser for special needs children brought in the highest amount of donations ever received.

Over $187,000 was raised at an Evening with Jack’s Helping Hand (JHH), which was held at the Santa Margarita Ranch on July 9. 

“The funds that we raise at this wonderful annual event continue to support 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, Little Swimmers, and our Adaptive Toy Lending Libraries,” said Mary Illingworth, charitable administrator. 

Tickets sold out over a month before the event with close to 650 guests in attendance. The event included a traditional barbecue buffet, live music from a mariachi band and the Bangin’ 58’s, a live auction with seasoned auctioneer Jim Settle and the good company of others who share the passion for assisting special needs children in San Luis Obispo County. 

Many local individuals and businesses generously donated high value items from Mid State Fair concert packages, to wine and art, and to European vacation give-aways making the live auction an enormous success. More than $150,000 was raised from the live auction alone.  

In addition to all the great programs they currently offer, JHH continues to work tirelessly toward the dream of building the all access Jack Ready Imagination Park in Nipomo. “We are getting closer and closer as we now can apply for our building permits and we continue to apply for grants to cover the cost of constructing the park,” said Illingworth.  If all goes as planned the park will be completed sometime in 2012.

Jack's Helping Hand, Inc., a local nonprofit organization dedicated to helping the families of children with special needs, has established and provided community programs that enable and empower families, professionals and the broader community to meet the unique unmet physical, mental and medical needs of special children and young adults under 21.

For more information on Jack’s Helping Hand’s programs and services, visit www.jackshelpinghand.org or call (805) 547-1914.