[KHTS] – The Canyon Country Optimist Club will hold its fourth annual Quarter Auction next month to benefit Santa Clarita youth activities and programs.

The auction, which has sold out of tickets, features dinner and dessert by El Taco Llama and Lady Di for attendees, as well as the opportunity to win one of 100 decorated baskets and other live, silent and ticket auction prizes, according to the news release.

Each year, the auction raises thousands of dollars for a variety of causes, including the Michael Hoefflin Foundation for Children’s Cancer, scholarship funds for graduating high school seniors from all six major Santa Clarita high schools, funding children without the financial means to participate in City of Santa Clarita Parks, Recreation and Community Services summer programs, and the Food Pantry, said Tim Davis, executive director for Bridge to Home, who will also be the auction co-chair.

“All the funds stay here in Santa Clarita,” said Davis, who also runs the Santa Clarita Valley’s only homeless shelter. “Our first year, we raised about $10,000, our second year about $20,000, and last year about $30,000. We’re expecting something similar this year.”

Among this year’s prizes are bicycles, Los Angeles Dodgers game tickets, Dodgers and other sports memorabilia, a condo stay in Maui, golf packages, Disneyland tickets and Santa Clarita restaurant gift cards, according to the news release.

Canyon Country Optimist Club has also announced the participation of several notable guests. Assemblyman Scott Wilk, Gillian Stone, executive director of the Michael Hoefflin Foundation for Children’s Cancer, Robert Challinor, superintendent at William S. Hart High School District and Bill Russell, former Dodgers shortstop are scheduled to participate.

Canyon Country Optimist Club is a group of Santa Clarita resident volunteers dedicated to helping Santa Clarita youth and their families.

The auction is scheduled for March 8 at 5 p.m. at the Santa Clarita Sports Complex’s Activities Center.

For more information about Canyon Country Optimist Club, click [here].

– Melissa Lampert