Annual Steak & Burger dinner raises money for clubs

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP | Homer Drew felt honored to be the guest speaker at the 10th annual Boys & Girls Club Steak & Burger dinner Thursday evening at the Porter County Expo Center.

The annual event brings adult members of the community together for dinner with members of the Porter County clubs in Valparaiso, Portage, South Haven and Chesterton and the children who are in KidStop.

The children were treated to steaks while the adults ate burgers.

The head basketball coach at Valparaiso University, Drew brought with him the three captains of the team: power forward Cory Johnson, point guard Brandon McPherson and shooting guard Howard Little.

Before the dinner, Drew talked with all the club members and introduced the three players to the youth. The kids asked questions and wanted to know about favorite memories of the players, how long they played basketball and how often they practice. The players stressed to the importance of practice at what you want to do.

Drew talked to the crowd about making choices, setting goals and thanking God for the talents they have.

"I am not only very honored to be here, but I am appreciative of the adults who work with the young kids here," Drew said.

South Haven club members Nick Lewis and Dakota Beckett enjoyed their dinner and listened to Drew.

"I like the club," Beckett said. "I have the most fun in the art room. I want to be a cartoonist when I grow up, so I practice a lot."

Nick Lewis, a Portage High School junior, likes hanging out at the South Haven club.

The annual event is a fundraiser for the clubs and proceeds helps the clubs.