Sonoma Valley's Boys and Girls clubs name this year's Sweethearts of the Year

Marchelle Carleton and Larry Krieger will be honored at the annual Sweetheart Gala & Auction, Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Maxwell Park Clubhouse.|

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley have named Marchelle Carleton and Larry Krieger as its Sweethearts of the Year.

The pair will be honored at the annual Sweetheart Gala & Auction, Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Maxwell Park Clubhouse.

Friends for more than 15 years, the two joined the club’s board of directors in 2005.

They were inspired by the enthusiasm and vision of then, board chair and Krieger’s predecessor, Deborah Emery, to bring teen programming to Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley.

The club had primarily focused on serving elementary age children, until the three set the wheels in motion to create a college-bound program that would specifically target teens needing college and career development.

After a gift from Bruce Cohn and Nelson Family of Companies, Krieger and Carleton were able to bring this curriculum to more than 20 youth. The program grew so quickly, that it caught the attention of Impact100 and because of its seed money, “Future Focus” was created. Future Focus proves more successful year after year and now serves many Sonoma Valley teens by providing college and career programs.

For the 12 years they were on the board, both chaired and were members of several committees. Krieger served on committees from facilities to finance, strategic planning to board governance. Additionally, he was the only member of the board who has served two terms as president.

Carleton has served on every committee except programs, served as Sweetheart committee chair three times, board president and was a driving force behind Fashion in the Vineyards, one of the club’s past fundraisers.

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