Riverhouse golf tourney benefits ‘Every Kid Fund’

The Riverhouse presented a $3,220 check to The Every Kid Fund, raised from the 29th Annual Riverhouse Invitational golf tournament, held at River’s Edge Golf Course.

Corporate sponsors partnered with The Riverhouse, including Combined Communications, Sysco Food Services of Portland, Eberhard’s Dairy, Cascade Lakes Brewing Company, Boyd’s Coffee Co, and Robberson Ford.

The Every Kid Fund provides much needed scholarships to school aged children in need so they can participate in after-school activities. Wayne Purcell, Owner and Operations Manager of The Riverhouse, said, “The Every Kid Fund is a life saver for many kids. Parent’s budgets are extremely tight in this economy and not all kids can afford to participate in school sports and other extra-curricular activities that are so important to their overall development. We feel every kid should have the opportunity to participate in activities, regardless of their financial situation.”

“The Riverhouse has been graciously donating the proceeds from this golf tournament for many years,” said Kim McNamer, the Executive Director of the Deschutes Children’s Foundation that manages The Every Kid Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation. “The Riverhouse Golf Tournament is the main fundraising event for the Every Kid Fund each year, and is the reason why this account is able to grow annually.”

With local charities in financial strain because of the current economy, Every Kid Fund donations like these can really make a difference to a small organization. “Donations and earnings have been down in the past few years, so this annual donation from the Riverhouse Invitational is a big help in keeping this fund growing,” McNamer added.

The Every Kid Fund designates scholarship monies to various social service agencies throughout Central Oregon so the individual agencies can decide how to maximize the number of kids served and the dollars provided for scholarships. Because The Every Kid Fund is an endowment, they are able to use only the earnings from the fund, so every additional donation helps increase the funds they are able to provide for scholarships.

As a volunteer high school football coach, Purcell knows the importance of allowing kids access to after school sports and activities. “All after-school activities are important to the health and well-being of not only the children and families who participate, but also the community at large,” stated Purcell.

Each year, about $15,000 in scholarship money is awarded through The Every Kid Fund, benefitting over 200 kids in need each year. This is the 12 th year that proceeds from The Riverhouse Golf Tournament have benefitted this worthwhile cause. Since its inception, The Riverhouse has contributed nearly $53,000 to The Every Kid Fund.