Clearwater for Youth Raises 1.2 Million in Down Economy

For over 35 years, Clearwater for Youth (CFY) has been supported and endorsed by many community leaders and sports celebrities.  Names like Joe DiMaggio, Mike Alstott, Tom Lasorda and Jimmy Rollins to name just a few.  Each year, Dick Crippen emcees their Celebrity Banquet that raises funds to continue the youth sports programs CFY supports.  Even in the down economy, CFY raised 1.2 million dollars in 2009.

Richard O. “Dick” Jacobson gifted a $700,000 endowment to CFY at last February’s Celebrity Banquet.  The founder of Jacobson Companies, one of the largest privately owned warehouse companies in the nation, has contributed more than $40 million to others through his Foundation over the last 3 decades.  That endowment was met with another $150,000 gift from Warren and Nancy Hughes and by the year’s end CFY had raised nearly 1.2 million dollars to help their cause.

The needed donations helps CFY continue to annually provide hundreds of scholarships, travel grants and equipment funding to boys and girls in football, cheerleading, track & field, basketball, swimming and volleyball in the Clearwater region.

CFY’s 37^th Annual Celebrity Banquet will be held at the Sheraton Sand Key on Saturday, February 27, 2010.  One guest of honor will be Angelo Dundee, another Jamie Moyer.  Tickets at $200 apiece and tables at $1500 are still available.

“If you ask those that have helped CFY, you’ll find a common thread,” says Brian Aungst, Chairman of CFY’s Board of Trustees and former Mayor of Clearwater.  That common thread as Aungst says is to help kids through the vehicle of sports; teaching confidence, teamwork and a sense of responsibility.

For more information about Clearwater for Youth, visit http://www.clearwaterforyouth.org/ or call 727-793-2696.

About Clearwater for Youth:

Clearwater for Youth (CFY) was incorporated as a not-for-profit, tax-deductible organization, in 1972, to help its community youth reach their fullest potential through enriching and productive activities.  Thousands of children and dedicated volunteers have participated in a variety of CFY sports activities throughout the years.  The focus of CFY has always been supporting programs that encourage character building, sportsmanship and teamwork.  At one time, CFY was in charge of a myriad of programs that boys and girls participated in such as football, cheerleading, baseball, softball, soccer, basketball, karate, golf and more.  Today, to help ensure that no child is turned away due to financial concerns, CFY encourages youth sports in the community by offering scholarship opportunities, grants and matching funds to youth programs and participants in need.  CFY’s mission has never wavered nor has their philosophy, “building character through sports.”  CFY believes today as it did over 35 years ago that there is no better investment than an investment in our youth, the leaders of tomorrow.  CFY’s Annual Sports Celebrity Banquet has been graced by many well-known local and national celebrities, including Joe DiMaggio, Mike Alstott and Tom Lasorda.  To find out more or to help, visit http://www.clearwaterforyouth.org/

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