Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon Co-Chaired Woodcraft Rangers 90th Anniversary Dinner and Auction

LOS ANGELES - May 29, 2013 - PRLog -- Woodcraft Rangers (WR), the leader in after-school programs for Los Angeles at-risk youth, celebrated their 90th Anniversary with a dinner, silent auction and entertainment on Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at La Plaza de Cultura y Artes in downtown Los Angeles.  Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon served as Honorary Co-Chairs of the fundraiser.

“Woodcraft Rangers is literally shaping the lives of over 6,000 students every day,” said Sedgwick.  “This organization provides an outlet for otherwise at-risk youth to follow their passions, everything from technology to music and from dance to the arts.”

Academy Award nominee for Best Actress for her role in the 2009 movie Precious, Gabourey Sidibe, accepted the Woodcraft Rangers’ first “Teen Inspiration Award” from Kyra Sedgwick.  "I wish I could turn back time and go to school in Los Angeles and be a Woodcraft Rangers kid,” said Sidibe.  “When I was in school, my teachers told me I would need to lose weight to even get a job working in an office. To have an organization like this supporting the arts and providing mentorships to these kids, just think what they can grow up to be."

Musical artist and actor Christopher Reid from Kid ‘n Play presented an award to board member and former President Kimberly West Isaac.  Actor, producer and director Dennis Haysbert presented a clip from the film “Life Of A King” and presented Eugene Brown with an award. Scott Shriner of the band Weezer closed the show with a live performance of his hit "Beverly Hills" with 11 year old Woodcraft Ranchers student guitarist.

“Woodcraft Rangers gives youth the amazing chance to express themselves through music -- this is a priceless gift,” said Shriner. “I'm thrilled to be performing with one of the talented kids who has benefitted from this great program.  The 90th Anniversary celebration is a great way for people to get involved and have a blast.”

The sold out event also included the following celebrities and participants: actor Samm Levine; comedian, satirist, and writer Ben Gleib; and actors G.W. Bailey and Jonathan Del Arco of “The Closer.”

The real stars of the evening were Woodcraft Rangers Youth that included a cheerleading team, skateboarding club, mariachi club, drum line, elementary rap club, robotics, folklorico, art and more.

“We are very excited about our fundraising event this year,” said Woodcraft Rangers CEO Chris Johnson.  “We have so much enthusiasm, passion and commitment this year from a lot of people who believe in our mission.  All the funds raised at the dinner and auction will go to our Nvision program, which is one of the most successful after-school programs in Los Angeles.”

Since 1922, Woodcraft Rangers has provided innovative after-school programs to underserved youth in the greater Los Angeles area.  These programs operate on 60 public school campuses and reach over 15,000 students annually by helping children, across all grade levels, mature into healthy, productive adults through positive experiences and age-appropriate challenges.  Woodcraft Rangers serves at-risk youth in neighborhoods where access to positive, structured activities is limited and kids are left with little or no adult supervision during non-school hours.  Woodcraft Rangers offers a positive alternative to the boredom and negative peer pressures that can lead to juvenile delinquency.

The organization promotes self-discovery and supports academic achievement by involving youth in experiences that engage the imagination, stimulate thinking, uncover talents and reveal potential.  WR’s signature after-school program is Nvision.  Nvision consists of school-based afterschool clubs for youth designed to promote academic, social, and physical development with activities that include cooking, etiquette, jewelry making, drawing and painting, and computer skills.  

Within Nvision program is the youth in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education component that was singled out by Senator Barbara Boxer, the Afterschool Caucus Chair, in a speech on the Senate Floor recently, stating, “Woodcraft Rangers exposes middle school students to cutting-edge STEM activities, including robotics.  This highly engaging program allows students to configure high-tech robotics, enhancing their STEM skills, unlocking their imaginations, and exposing them to real-world problem- solving situations.”

Recognition events, to which parents, faculty, and other youth are invited to celebrate participants’ accomplishments, are held regularly.  These events may include an exhibit, team competition, performance or awards ceremony.  WR also provides field trips to educational, cultural and recreational venues.  For more information on Woodcraft Rangers, please visit http://www.woodcraftrangers.org.