Michael Van Every, the president of Republic Urban Properties, emphasized the importance of the fundraiser, stating: "This money we raised will affect and save many lives, and we did it with a smile." His experience as a burn victim informed his passionate commitment to improving care at the burn unit.
The event's innovative format was praised as it diverged from typical fundraisers. Van Every noted, "He came up with the idea of having a fun fundraiser that wasn't the usual banquet dinner or auction," which aimed to engage participants in a different way.
During the trivia competition, former Mayor Tom McEnery added to the atmosphere, saying: "The audience of nearly 200 people definitely let the contestants know about it when they answered incorrectly," showcasing the lively interaction between contestants and spectators.
In a competitive final question about the city’s history, Klem's victory was celebrated, as she correctly identified San Jose's first sister city. Van Every proudly stated, "The big winner was the burn unit at Valley Medical Center, which will be able to use those funds to help out more patients."
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