West Valley Magazine, February 2011, Shaker, Bridget Binsbacher
Posted on 25. Feb, 2011 by trish in West Valley 24
As executive director of the Peoria Diamond Club, Bridget Binsbacher manages a non-profit that has raised and contributed over a million dollars to youth charities and organizations in the Northwest Valley since its inception in 1993. Binsbacher has been a member of the organization for six years and became executive director in 2008.
With nearly 500 volunteers, the Peoria Diamond Club partners with the Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, and City of Peoria to provide staff for many game day operations at the Peoria Sports Complex during spring training. Through sponsorships and an allocation of profits, funds are raised and re-distributed to local youth-oriented organizations in the form of grants. At the conclusion of the 2009 season, the non-profit awarded nearly $140,000 to over 40 organizations, although the effects of the weak economy cut into funding last year. When Binsbacher assumed the role of executive director she sought to modernize the non-profit’s operations. “My challenge was to bring this organization into the 21st century while keeping the working relationships, the family feel for our volunteers, and grant funding to our youth programs intact,” she said. “With a talented, close knit staff, great things have happened.” Her banking career brought Binsbacher and her family to the West Valley when she accepted a position in business development at a new branch. She later left the banking industry to start her own business Custom Creation & Décor. While her leadership role with the Diamond Club now demands more of her focus, she still operates her business on a part-time basis.
During spring training, the whole Binsbacher family gets involved with the baseball games and Peoria Diamond Club. “My husband volunteers and has worked just about every job. (My teenage sons) Kyle and Ryan and some of their friends work the parking lot and tickets sales. The little ones look forward to night games on the berm as if it were a Disneyland attraction. It truly is a family affair!” According to board member Darcy Phillips, “Bridget is a visionary with tenacity, a leader with determination and a human being with compassion…. The great success of Peoria Diamond Club is attributed to her dedication, creativity, willingness to work long hard hours, and staying focused on the mission of the organization, which is to enrich the lives of our children.”
Binsbacher lives in Peoria with her husband Jon and four children.
Years in the West Valley? 25
Family? Husband Jon, sons Kyle(19), Ryan (17), Clay (4), and daughter Kady (7)
Favorite quote: “That remains to be seen” – Angel Flores (grandfather)
Who in history would you most like to have dinner with? It would be a dinner party. Nancy Reagan, Colin Powell, Jackie Onassis, Tom Brokaw, Alan Greenspan and Oprah Winfrey would be on the guest list for starters. I enjoy a good dinner party.
What’s your favorite book? “Who Moved My Cheese.” It’s a self help book with a profound message through easy reading. At the point in time in my life when I read this book, the impact was tremendous.
What you miss most? I miss being able to confidently speak Spanish. I rarely speak it and need to take the time to sharpen the skill.
What would your super power be? Healing
What do you know about life that you wish you had known 10 or 20 years ago? Forgiveness
What is your favorite place/feature in the West Valley? My backyard with my husband and all four children there with me.
What is your favorite cause? Ending hunger
Describe yourself as a child: Very mischievous and strong willed
What’s your favorite food? My husband’s salmon and asparagus
What is your biggest pet peeve? When people don’t do what they say they are going to do
What would you choose to do, career wise, if you weren’t in your current career? Something creative in design or event planning. My work will always involve serving my community.
Greatest Extravagance: In this economy, affording our home and a good life for our four children
Tell us something about you that perhaps the average person wouldn’t know? I am absolutely horrified of birds or anything with feathers.
What are some of the leadership positions directly you have taken on in the West Valley and what did you accomplish? A pioneer, officer and member of the Baseball and Football Booster Clubs at Liberty High School. I began those programs with a handful of parents during the final construction phases of the school. Liberty opened for its first class of freshman in 2006. Today those organizations are thriving in so many ways. They are official non-profits, with professional financial statements, websites, team shops and concessions. They maintain a steady stream of sponsorships and community support.
What drives you? I’m driven by making a child’s life better and opportunities for them possible. Whether it’s my own or one I have never met, I feel a responsibility. They didn’t ask to be here, they all deserve to be loved and cared for. I wish they could all have the opportunities that my children have had.
