Orange County Community Invited to An Autumn Affair Supporting The Boys & Girls Club Program in Lake Forest
The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach has one main goal, to help young people thrive. To support its mission, Joe Ziomek has invested $100,000 as challenge gift for social impact promoting inclusion, diversity, equity and access—the Ziomek I.D.E.A. Initiative. Ziomek, a Club Alumnus, who recently retired from a busy financial advisor role, has contemplated how the Club’s programs and leadership shaped his life perspective, enhanced his self-esteem, and provided inspiration which led to his business success.
Joe Ziomek’s legacy investment is for the future of young people who face systemic obstacles beyond their control. In alignment with Laguna Beach’s quest for unity and diversity, leaders like Ziomek, have partnered with other local entities to support local students.
On Saturday, October 23rd, Ziomek is being honored at An Autumn Affair, Lake Forest Gala. The event begins with a cocktail hour in the open-air atrium of the new Lake Forest Community Center. Next is dinner in the ballroom, followed by live music and dancing. Tickets and sponsorships may be purchased at https://bgclagunabeach.org/fall-gala/ or guests may email Development Director, Abby Ryan Abbyr@bgclaguna.org.
According to Ziomek: “I not only want to share with those that are less fortunate but inspire others to do the same. What better way to do that, than to give to the youth organization that had the biggest impact on my life and have them carry on my life’s work.”
Joe’s gift will be dedicated to expanding and supporting programming in the Saddleback Valley to reach thousands more children and youth in need of socio-emotional and academic support. Although it is a timely subject of 2021, the Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach has stood for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access since its inception in 1952. According to CEO Pam Estes: “Every child who walks through our doors is welcomed and treated the same love and respect, regardless of ethnicity, gender choice, or socio-economic status. Every child feels supported to be their best”.
Joe Ziomek was raised on the East Coast where he attended the Boys & Girls Club of Passaic in New Jersey. There, he was awarded Boy of the Year in 1958. After 16 years as a Club member, Joe chose to work there where he continued to learn life lessons and values that would stay with him as he moved into the business world. According to Joe: “I do not know where I would be without the Club. I grew up in a blue-collar manufacturing town. As kids, we hung out in empty warehouses with no supervision. In the Club, I found an extended family who cared for me.” After moving West, he was so impressed with the work of the Club in Laguna Beach, that he chose to serve on its Board of Directors.
It is Ziomek’s hope that his gift will inspire others to invest in future generations through the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach, whose programming helps even the playing field for underserved youth. He and his wife Gwen feel nothing matters more than helping others and are dedicated to promote safety, health, dignity, and equity so every child may develop the resiliency required to be their best and thrive. To learn more, email Michelle Highberg at Michelleh@bgclaguna.org or text/call: (949) 813-7681.
