Ghost Tree Invitational raises $200,000 for area charities

Combined Communications Inc. reported Thursday that the 2013 Ghost Tree Invitational was a tremendous success. The event, held August 23 and 24 at Sunriver Resort, raised $202,000, with net proceeds benefiting two Central Oregon charities, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Oregon and The Assistance League of Bend.

“The Ghost Tree Invitational is entirely put on by volunteers with a passion for supporting the local community in a direct, meaningful way,” says Christine Limburg, event director.

Ghost Tree Invitational is a 501(c)3 public non-profit organization and was assisted this year by 150 volunteers. “Our mission is to invest in organizations serving children and families in Central Oregon. Our goal is to raise funds and then donate those funds to local charities with the infrastructure in place to aid Central Oregonians in need.”

192 golfers and 1600 dinner guests attended the 8 th annual Ghost Tree Invitational. The golfers participated in a double shotgun golf tournament on Friday. Dinner guests flooded the Meadows Driving Range for Dinner on the Range Saturday night, where they enjoyed food and beverages from 17 restaurants: Bonta Gelato, 10below, Rio, Old Mill Brew Werks, Barney Prine’s Steak House, Hideaway Tavern, Zydeco, Deschutes Roadhouse, Pine Tavern, Level 2, Deschutes Brewery, 10 Barrel Brewing, Lodge at Black Butte Ranch, Hola!, Meadows at Sunriver Resort, and

La Maggie. Two bands, Precious Byrd and Big Night Out, provided entertainment.

“The event was a tremendous success and Combined Communications, Inc., is proud to have been able to present this event to the community and to donate funds to two very worthy organizations,” says Limburg.

Combined Communications is locally owned and operated, presenting five radio stations, News Talk 1110 KBND, Clear 101.7fm, Classic Rock 98.3 The Twins, Country 99.7 The Mountain and Wild 107.7; Central Oregon’s premier lifestyle magazine, Central Oregon Magazine; and the annual non-profit fundraiser Ghost Tree Invitational.Combined Communications has been operating in Central Oregon since 1990, and currently employs 37 full and part-time employees.

“Across the board, Combined Communications continues to focus on developing innovative and dynamic campaigns for advertisers utilizing our multi-media platforms,” says Limburg.

Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central Oregon is working to better the lives of children and their families whether they live or travel through our communities, by creating, finding and supporting programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children. The Bend Ronald McDonald House® is a haven that shelters families and sees them through a period of unthinkable stress.

The Assistance League of Bend is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization consisting of a dedicated group of women with a passion for supporting the local community in a direct, meaningful way. Their primary focus is on the root causes of poverty through a variety of philanthropic programs and projects. Through Operation School Bell, Assistance League of Bend has, for almost eighteen years, been providing school clothing for vulnerable children in Deschutes County.

2014 will be the 9 th annual Ghost Tree Invitational. Stay tuned for event dates and information.