Ring in the New Year: Gala Benefits Ralph Wilson Youth Club

By RACHEL STRICKLAND | Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR, JANE GIBSON and courtesy of the RALPH WILSON YOUTH CLUB

The Ralph Wilson Youth Club in Temple has become an integral part of many kids’ lives since its early inception as the Temple Boys Club in 1965. Today, RWYC offers awesome after-school programming for Temple, Belton and Academy ISDs during the school year, with full-day programs in the summer months. Not only do they pick kids up from school and transport them to the youth club, but they also provide a safe environment with tons of activities meant to enrich the children’s lives.

While the RWYC receives its funding from many places, a large portion comes down to donations, including those acquired from their annual Last Night Gala. The gala will be hosting its 10th anniversary event on New Year’s Eve in the McLane Group Aviation Hangar at the Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport.

According to Brett Williams, executive director of the RWYC and current president of the Killeen Independent School District board, the RWYC primarily offers kids a place to go every day after school and all day during the summer. They provide more than 50 field trips during the summer at an affordable rate. They also offer two volleyball leagues for girls and a basketball program for boys and girls, which attracts around 1,300 kids.

During the summer, a big part of what RWYC does is partner with Temple ISD’s food nutrition program, which means every kid who attends the youth club receives free breakfast and lunch.

“Pretty much 12 months out the year, we’re trying to impact the lives of kids in a structured environment,” Williams said.

Bill DiGaetano, a community member on the RWYC board, says back in 2015, he had the idea to start a gala to help support the youth club.

He presented it to the board and then went to see Drayton McLane Jr. about having the event at the Temple airport in the McLane aviation hangar. DiGaetano’s wife, Michelle, is the gala’s co-chair alongside him, and they have a small committee of board members who assist with the event. Prior to his work on the RWYC board, DiGaetano was an executive at Wilson Art International for 33 years. Wilson Art was founded by Ralph Wilson Sr., who also founded RWYC.

“As a board, we continue to think about new methodologies to raise funds,” DiGaetano said. “We (also) have club champions, who donate annually to the club.”

In addition to being a United Way funded organization, the RWYC has partnered with Baylor Scott & White for some grant programs. But Williams says the reason why fundraisers are so important is because 63% of what they collect is from the consumer, which allows them to offer a program that is very robust without placing a huge financial burden on the parents.

“RWYC has always been an affordable opportunity for everybody in our community,” Williams added. “One of the things we take a lot of pride in is that we bring kids from various backgrounds together so they can all learn from one another. And we’re able to do that because we’re affordable. But that’s why the fundraisers are so important.”

He said donations represent 21% of their overall operating budget, and without that, their costs would increase significantly.

The Last Night Gala is held annually in the McLane hangar on New Year’s Eve. It’s a fun, fancy event with tiered options. Premium tables are treated to round-trip transportation provided by off-duty Belton police officers, valet parking, premium beverages, an elegant dinner provided by Austin Catering, live music provided by the Blind Date Band, dancing, fireworks at midnight, and complimentary childcare at the RWYC. DiGaetano said that there are no live or silent auctions at the gala as its overall purpose is to be a celebration of the passing year with friends and family.

DiGaetano said the McLane family has been extremely gracious in hosting the gala every year.

“After year one, Drayton McLane Jr. committed to partnering with the RWYC for 10 years,” DiGaetano said. “He remains a significant champion for the club and the gala, and we will continue to host the gala at the hangar into the future.”

The Last Night Gala pulls in approximately 300 people. For the 10th anniversary this year, they’re going to theme the party like a child’s birthday party.

While he said he can’t release exactly what the party will look like, DiGaetano said it will be a lot of fun. At midnight, he said the two hangar doors slide open to reveal the night sky overlooking state representative Hugh Shine’s ranch where a fireworks show commences.

“It’s a really cool event to be at,” he added. “And we’ve been fortunate. We’ve probably netted close to $750,000 the past nine years that went straight to the club.”