CIRI Golf Classic Enters Third Decade of Golf and Charitable Giving

The CIRI Golf Classic began its third decade supporting youth and education through its CIRI Golf Classic this summer. From its beginnings in 1984 as a modest tournament for associates and employees of Peak Oilfield Service Company, the CIRI Golf Classic has raised close to $1.3 million for worthy charities and programs and become one of the premier golf tournaments in Alaska.

"CIRI's leadership in supporting educational opportunities for the youth in our communities has given a strong message to families. The partnership that has grown from this event sends the message, 'We want our students to have choices and opportunities for their future. We will work together to provide those opportunities for our students and know that they will succeed as they pursue their dreams,'" said Heather Pancratz, executive director of Project GRAD-Kenai Peninsula, one of this year’s recipient organizations.

The proceeds of the first 18 tournaments went to helping The CIRI Foundation achieve its endowment goal. The CIRI Foundation, which promotes self-sufficiency and individual development among Alaska Natives by providing educational scholarships and grants for original CIRI shareholders and their descendants. Beginning in 2002, proceeds from the Golf Classic have gone to a variety of organizations that benefit youth and education and support the theme of the Classic, “Building a Strong Foundation for Alaska’s Youth.” Proceeds from generous sponsorship donations, player fees, and raffle ticket sales will go to the following organizations this year:

The Project GRAD-Kenai Peninsula program in Tyonek and Ninilchik is based on a national model created in 1988, and serves more than 130,000 children in 198 schools in 10 communities. It is a combined effort involving teachers, administrators, parents, students, community leaders and businesses to improve education and thereby build economic development in these struggling communities. Project GRAD-Kenai Peninsula is the first to pilot the Project GRAD model for school reform in rural sites. Tyonek has failed to meet federal requirements for annual yearly progress for three years. More than 50 percent of the students in Tyonek are considered in poverty. Close to 50 percent of students in Ninilchik qualify, according to federal standards.

The mission of Southcentral Foundation’s Early Head Start program is to promote healthy prenatal outcomes for pregnant women, enhance the development of very young children, and promote healthy family functioning. Early Head Start was created by the U.S. Congress in the reauthorization of the Head Start Act in 1994. Since its inception, Early Head Start has grown to a nationwide effort of  708 community-based programs serving 61,500 children. Southcentral Foundation’s Early Head Start program serves Alaska Native and American Indian children six weeks old to five years of age and their families. The program provides comprehensive, culturally appropriate education, special needs assessment, health, nutrition services, family services, and family involvement. The Early Head Start program serves about 40 infants and toddlers.
 
The Alaska Native Heritage Center School Program collaborates with the Anchorage School District to provide age-appropriate school visits. This outreach program brings Alaska Native cultural experiences that meet teachers’ curriculum need and fulfill state education standards in area schools. This core program has reached more than 30,000 students and adults in the Anchorage area. The Heritage Center also provides bus service and transportation costs for area schools in an effort to bridge socioeconomic disparity among schools. The Heritage Center’s Outreach to Schools Program brings Native performance theatre, storytelling, dance and games into community schools to provide assembly-type presentations about Alaska’s indigenous cultures in the classroom. Now in its third year, this program has reached 34,485 students. 

Helping children become enthusiastic, lifelong learners is the most important goal of Chugiak Children’s Services. Chugiak Children’s Services offers different programs aimed at child and family development in the Chugiak, Eagle River, Meadow Lakes, Palmer, and Wasilla communities. The organization also operates a Child and Family Development Center at Alaska Job Corps, in Palmer. These programs, available for children ages six weeks to 12 years and their families, include Head Start, preschool, infant and toddler development, Before and After School, and creative summer programs. These programs offer children, ages six weeks to 12 years, and their families school preparation, parenting classes, assistance with homework, community service activities, and other diverse educational experiences. Additional programs include the Family Learning Project, which offers families adult education, parent and child learning activities, and family support, and Denali KidCare, a state program that provides health insurance to children, teens, and pregnant women.