Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Maria Valley raises over $40,000 today for local kids

Hundreds of people were out in Orcutt today to raise tens of thousands of dollars for local kids at the 8th Annual Tour & Taste of The Valley.

Curt Hentshke is an avid cyclist.

“Traveled from Gilroy, California..south of San Jose..the garlic capital,” cyclist Curt Hentshke said.

He was there in Orcutt with his wife.

“She’s eating and I’m riding,” Hentshke joked.

Hundreds converged in Old Town Orcutt Saturday morning.

“That was a big draw too, when the money goes to, right here – The Boys and Girls Club,” Hentshke said.

Some people were there for the 100k bike ride and 10k run, some for the food and drinks – but everyone was there because their admission dollars were benefiting local kids.

“I teach so I see a lot of kids who need a lot of things and so it was a no-brainer for me,” Hentshke said.

But it wasn’t all cycling and running.

Afterwards these 800 athletes and event goers were treated to 50 wine, beer and food tasting booths – all part of their ride and run tickets.

Not to mention a live band that got some people off their feet.

“It’s been a fantastic outpouring of support from the community,” Jeremy Deming with the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Maria Valley said.

The Boys and Girls Club estimates this event will raise $43,000 – all of those proceeds benefiting kids 6-18 years old in the Santa Maria Valley.

“I’ve been doing this for 16 years and this is truly is a labor of love, a passion on behalf of the children that we serve,” Deming said.

Jeremy Deming is the Executive Director of Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Maria Valley. He says these dollars will benefit 8,300 local kids, particularly in after school programs.

“They might not appreciate it, but we know how important it is to them,” Deming said.

“I hope they keep doing this because it’s good stuff, it’s good for the community too,” Hentshke said.