Kiss-n-Squeal is BACK!

Kiss-n-Squeal began in 1991 as a way to put the FUN back in fundraising. With just $2,708 raised in 1991, this quirky event generated almost $193,000 in its last iteration and raised more than $1.3 million over 20 years. In honor of YouthZone’s 50th Anniversary, we’re bringing it back bigger and better than ever!

The campaign will launch on Friday, March 27^th, 2026. Candidates will campaign for votes during the six-week fundraising period. Each dollar raised is equal to one vote. How candidates choose to earn their dollars and votes is entirely up to them! The candidate with the most votes earns the honor of kissing a real pig at the Gala. Information about this year's candidates can be found at YouthZone's 50th Anniversary Kiss-n-Squeal donation page, and you can learn more about the history of the event in our Post Independent article.

Dusty Harris & Matt Speicher: IMA Financial Group & Aflac
Larry MacDonald & Alta Otto: Hotel Colorado
Jay & Chelsea McGlade: Edward Jones
Becky Westphal & Amy Gosnell: Luminate Bank
Jon Harman: Coldwell Banker
Dave Portman: First Bank
Ashley Martinez & Stephanie Cisneros: Luma Medical Team
Ray Alexander: Avalanche Snow Removal
Derron Cloud & Erin Zalinski: State Farm Insurance
Alex Mondragon and Larry Stewart: Alpine Bank

 

 

Meet Our Auctioneer, Blake Menezes with KLM Auctions

Blake Menezes began working at auctions when he was 15 years old, and has since participated in over 1,000 auctions. He balances his exciting and energetic auctioneering style with a fast-rising global marketing career at a major design software company in San Francisco.  He holds a BS in Business Administration from CSU Sacramento and an MBA from The University of San Francisco, and is working toward his Benefit Auction Specialist (BAS) designation from the National Auctioneers Association.

Blake has been doing auctions and Fund-a-Needs since he was a teenager, and for the past 11 years has been performing benefit auctions exclusively for KLM Auctions.  Clients have been raving about him and Fund-a-Needs are his favorite. Blake is empathetic and smart, extremely friendly and approachable, and his warm and inclusive auctioneering style shows a level of caring and empathy that really shines through at his events.

 

 

Celebrate with Live Music by The Confluents

The Confluents are the Roaring Fork Valley's premiere funk band! This six-piece group is guaranteed to get everyone up and moving with their high-energy performances. The Confluents play a wide range of funk, soul and reggae music, including tunes by The Meters, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Al Green, Vulfpeck, Bob Marley, and Toots & the Maytals. Bring yer dancing shoes!