COEUR d’ALENE — Growing up with six siblings, the Boys and Girls Club was a necessity for Eric Carpenter and his brothers and sisters.

It's where they learned to build positive relationships, and important lessons of kindness.

"That's why we chose to put our boy there," Carpenter said. "I went there growing up. It was awesome. It's very comforting, it's like home."

His son, Holden, 8, is now sharing his dad's experiences as a club kid.

"He loves it," said Holden's mom, Valerie Carpenter. "Little field trips, he has his buddies. He loves going there."

Eric and Valerie, of Coeur d'Alene, expressed their family's love of the club just as they stepped off the red carpet Friday during the Night in Black and White at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

"We love the fact that we can trust it and we have a safe place to bring him in the summer,” Valerie said. "It's nice to have a nice place to bring him and know he's going to be taken care of while we’re at work."

Not just that — he's also picking up new skills.

"He’s been finger-knitting all summer," Valerie said with a smile. "Lots of neighbors’ kids have finger-knitted items."

More than 500 honored guests attended the 13th annual Boys and Girls Club's Night in Black and White auction and dinner, the club's yearly major fundraiser. Last year's event brought in more than $500,000 for the club, which gives kids and teens a safe place to be during non-school hours.

"It’s nice to see the whole community here rallying around the kids," said Vanessa Moos of Children's Village, who attended the function for the first time. "It's comfortable and it's nice to meet everyone. It’s nice to see all the community members contributing for the silent auction."

Boys and Girls Club development director Nicole Hammons said those who attend the Night in Black and White and support the club realize that the work that happens in the club impacts youths over the course of their lives, in turn having positive effects on society.

"It’s exciting to see the community supports the kids so much and are willing to come out and spend the night with us and give back," she said. "This raises over half our operating budget. We wouldn’t be able to do any of what we do without this event and the people who come to support us."