FFY receives $140k grant from Circle K golf tourney

Note: This story has been updated

A Circle K sponsored golf championship tournament going on at Otter Creek donated $140,000 to the Foundation for Youth this week.

According to organizers, the American Junior Golf Association Circle K Junior Championship brings together young players from around the country to compete. The tournament is in its 12th year at Otter Creek.

Each year, the title sponsor, Circle K, hosts an invitational event for its supplier companies with part of the proceeds going to support Foundation For Youth programming. On Sunday at an event at The Commons, Kevin Merritt, with Circle K and the tournament co-chairman presented the donation check, saying that “Circle K looks for ways to uplift people and we appreciate how Foundation for Youth uses their resources to brighten lives every day.”

Chuck Kime, executive director at FFY, called the donation exceptional, saying that the organization appreciates the local, national and international support that made the gift possible. He said the donation will enable the club to reach more children that need help the most. FFY includes the local Boys & Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Columbus Youth Camp, Athletics, Aquatics and other programs.

John Fairbanks, this year’s tournament chairman, said that FFY will maximize the contribution to “make a real difference in the lives of area youth.”

Photo courtesy of Foundation For Youth. Rachel Kerschner, Chuck Kime and Melissa Fairbanks, with FFY, at Sunday’s event at The Commons.