The 30th annual Hoedown at Sundown benefits thousands of local children

Coachella Valley cowboys and cowgirls kicked up their boots for the 30th Annual Family YMCA Hoedown at Sundown Saturday night.

Guests were invited to don their favorite Western attire for a night of two-stepping, enjoying games like calf-roping and live and silent auctions at the Agua Caliente Casino and Resort in Rancho Mirage.

The event was emceed CBS Local 2’s Patrick Evans.

“This is our major fundraiser for the year. A lot of people don’t know, but we serve 4,000 kids every day. We’re in 42 different sites throughout the entire Coachella Valley,” Evans said. “Every school district. Kids come to us both before and after school. We also do flag football and youth in government and summer camps, but the big push tonight is just raise money to help these kids who really don’t have any place to go before or after school while their parents are at work. We give them a safe place to do homework and spend time with their friends.”

Evans said the goal was to raise more than $150,000.

“The funds go toward eduction and providing services to our children. Everything stays right here in the Valley,” said Family YMCA of the Desert board president Sally Simonds.

The organization is celebrating its 35th year serving the Valley.