Black Tie & Burgers Gala to Support Fire-Affected Youth in Pasadena

One hundred children who lost their homes in the Eaton Fire will be the focus of an unlikely pairing: black tie and burgers.

The Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena’s 17th annual gala on Saturday, Oct. 4 will raise funds for Club members impacted by the Eaton Fire while celebrating the resilience of the communities in Pasadena and Altadena.

Under the theme “(Re)Building Great Futures,” the event at a private South Pasadena home spotlights the Club’s mission to support academic success, healthy lifestyles and leadership development for more than 1,500 youth annually. The evening promises gourmet burgers alongside fine wines, with curated auctions, live music, dancing, and the return of the popular “Wine Wagon” raffle featuring two cases of premium international wines.

“This will be an unforgettable evening celebrating Pasadena/Altadena kids,” said Melina Montoya, who chairs both the Boys & Girls Club board and the event. “We hope to bring joy to our guests while raising much-needed funds for fire-affected youth.”

The Black Tie & Burgers gala represents the Club’s largest annual fundraising effort, with early bird tickets available through Sept. 5 at https://blacktie25.givesmart.com. Sponsors include Lisa and Michael Burke, the Clayton Family, First Citizens Bank, Debra and Brian Spaulding, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Capital Group, UCLA Health, and others.

Founded in 1937, the Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena operates four locations—Slavik Branch, Mackenzie-Scott Branch, Dena Teen Center and Odyssey Charter School North. The organization provides year-round programming in safe, supportive environments, filling the gap between school and home with mentorship and enrichment for youth ages five to 18.