ORANGE, Calif., Aug. 25, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canyon Acres Children and Family Services, a Southern California charity organization committed to providing homes, care, treatment and supportive services for abused, neglected and emotionally troubled children and their families, today announced the 25th Annual Par Fore Kids Golf Classic and its accompanying online auction netted over $50,000. The event took place August 16th at the Yorba Linda Country Club. All proceeds will benefit signature Canyon Acres programs such as Wraparound and Creating Family Connections (CFC).
Actors Sean Astin (Rudy, The Goonies, The Lord of the Rings) and Galen Gering (Passions, Days of Our Lives), together with PGA sensation Esteban Toledo, the Laker Girls and the Angel Strike Force Girls, were among more than 120 guests at the event. Toledo hosted a very popular golf clinic on the morning of the tournament and played one hole with each foursome.
Top auction items included luxury travel packages, private jet travel, tickets to the 2010 Primetime Emmy Awards and a private polo lesson with polo star and Ralph Lauren model Nacho Figueras. In partnership with Charitybuzz, the event also marked the first time Canyon Acres used an online storefront to boost overall auction performance. Bidding began on August 3 and, for certain items, will continue until August 25 at www.charitybuzz.com/auctions/helpabusedchildren. The Charitybuzz partnership extends Canyon Acres fundraising reach to global audiences and has already contributed a significant portion of total funds raised.
In addition to 18 champion-caliber holes of golf and the live auction, tournament highlights included a barbecue lunch, a cocktail reception, fun contest holes, a 50/50 cash prize drawing, a Bloody Mary bar donated by Yard House and a chance to win a BMW convertible from Crevier BMW. Major event sponsors included The Kent A. Landsberg Co., Trilogy Capital Corp., KOCE and Yard House. Canyon Acres board members Barbara D'Amato and Tom Sarnecki co-chaired the event.
"Canyon Acres profoundly thanks guests, sponsors, volunteers, committee members and especially the tournament co-chairs for making this year's 25th anniversary Classic such a memorable occasion," said Tim Bauer, Vice President-Development of Canyon Acres. "Especially as the agency celebrates its 30-year anniversary, the success of this event will serve to greatly enrich the programs we are known for."
Canyon Acres' reputation is largely based on breakthrough programs such as Wraparound and Creating Family Connections (CFC). Wraparound literally helps struggling and at-risk families become "wrapped" by a team of professionals and supportive services, ensuring all children are provided the opportunity to live in safe, stable and healthy homes. CFC searches for and engages long-lost family members of children who otherwise have none, offering a connection that gives children a sense of belonging and hope. CFC finds an average of 12 new family members per child and, since its inception, has helped more than 250 children make over 1600 family connections.
For more information, please visit www.canyonacres.org or call (714) 383-9335.
ABOUT CANYON ACRES
Canyon Acres Children and Family Services is committed to providing homes, care, treatment and supportive services for abused, neglected and emotionally troubled children and their families. Since 1980, Canyon Acres has been serving children throughout Southern California, providing the highest level of care and therapeutic treatment to children who suffer from a variety of emotional and psychological disorders. Canyon Acres gives children the nurturing, treatment and opportunities they need to grow up in safe, loving, and stable families. For more information about Canyon Acres Children and Family Services, contact Bock Communications at + 1-714-540-1030 or canyonacres@bockpr.com or visit the Canyon Acres Children and Family Services web site at www.canyonacres.org.