San Jose, Calif., May 6, 2009 -The second annual "Great Silicon Valley Caper" (www.greatsiliconvalleycaper.org), an exciting fundraiser of EMQ FamiliesFirst, took place Sunday, May 3. This year’s event raised almost $70,000. The event brings together local participants and businesses while raising money for essential children's services. The Santa Clara Marriott hosted the Start/Finish line and from there, participants visited six top-secret Sunnyvale and Santa Clara clue sites: Toll Brothers Home Builders (www.tollbrothers.com); Hobee's California Restaurant (www.hobees.com); Supreme Court 1 Athletic Club (www.sc1ac.com); Golfland (www.golfland.com); Sports Basement (www.sportsbasement.com) and Micro Center (www.microcenter.com).

More than 140 problem solvers worked in 19 teams of appropriately attired characters such as the "Beach Bums,'" "Team Luau" and "The Snoops." Zooming around town in limousines provided by El Paseo Limousine, the teams worked together at each site at a frenetic pace to solve clues and score points.

At the Toll Brothers site the teams searched for photo frames scattered throughout townhomes and then had to figure out what the photos all had in common. "Dance, Dance Revolution" and "Guitar Hero" challenged competitors at Micro Center.

"We've always been a big supporter of EMQ FamiliesFirst and jumped at the chance to host a clue site for the Great Silicon Valley Caper,” said Ed Fike, president of Hobee’s. “It was great fun for our staff and the participants loved their challenge: a blind tasting of eight different Hobee's coffeecakes. It doesn't get more Silicon Valley than that!" 

First place winners in the Scotland Yard division were "Snow Money and the 7 Bills" captained by board member Neal Dempsey. The "Spectators" with board member and team captain David Lerner were victorious in the Get Smart division, and the Inspector Gadget Division champs were the "Lidsville" team, led by team captain Josh Fagin. The trophy for Best Dressed team went to "Team Clueless" - each member was dressed as a character from the popular "Clue" game.

Site sponsors and major donors for the event included Roger & Dottie Barney; Check Point Software Technologies; Chipotle Mexican Grill; Ravenswood Winery; Palace Café; Party Helpers and Sysco Corporation.

Monies raised will be used to treat children who have been abused and severely neglected.

About EMQ FamiliesFirst
EMQ FamiliesFirst does whatever it takes to help children in crisis and their families.  The agency is recognized for innovative mental health treatment, foster care and social services that help families recover from trauma, abuse and addiction, and rebuild their lives.  The agency fights for sustainable change and advocates for improvements in the local, state and federal systems that serve children in need.  For more information, please visit http://www.emqff.org
EDITORS NOTE: Photos from the event can be viewed at www.greatsiliconvalleycaper.org.

Editorial Contacts:
Sandy Smith
EMQ FamiliesFirst
310.560.8372