Clark CARES Hosts Charity Golf Tournament to Benefit San Diego Charities

SAN DIEGO—Last week, Clark Builders Group, Clark Realty Capital, and Clark Construction hosted the ninth annual Clark CARES charity golf tournament at Maderas Golf Club. With 240 golfers in attendance, the two-day event raised over $248,000 to benefit several charitable organizations that proudly serve the San Diego community.

In celebration of Veteran's Day, Clark CARES presented a donation to The 31 Heroes Project. Established to honor the 31 Americans killed in action in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011, the charity provides support to families of all fallen military heroes.

"The 31 Heroes Project feels truly honored to be a recipient of the 2013 Clark CARES Open," said Mackenzie Tobin, co-founder of The 31 Heroes Project. "Clark and its industry partners showed how much they value our military heroes and their families through this incredibly generous donation. It is organizations like Clark that ensure our heroes are never forgotten."

Another tournament beneficiary was San Pasqual Academy, the first and only residential education campus in the nation designed specifically for foster teens. Victims of child abuse and neglect, the adolescent youth who live and learn at San Pasqual Academy are given a stable, caring home; a quality, individualized education; and the skills needed for independent living.

"The foster teens of San Pasqual Academy are so thankful to Clark CARES for all their support," said Debby Syverson, development liaison for San Pasqual Academy. "The funds donated from the golf tournament will enable us to provide them with scholarships, job interview clothes, athletic uniforms, and so much more. It was doubly gratifying that participants in the tournament also donated their raffle winnings to the kids, including a 60" TV and foosball table."

Also among these groups was repeat beneficiary Chelsea's Light Foundation (CLF). Chelsea King was a stand-out scholar and athlete whose life was cut short by a heinous act in the midst of a training run in February 2010. CLF was established by her parents Kelly and Brent King to unite people who are passionate about protecting children and instilling positive change. The charity's Sunflower Scholarship Fund, named after Chelsea's favorite flower, awards academic scholarships to college-bound San Diego high school seniors who embrace Chelsea's service-over-self ethic.

"The Clark Cares Foundation has touched our hearts and provided tremendous hope, support, and compassion to our family and to the vision of Chelsea's Light Foundation," said Brent King, Chelsea's father and co-founder of the Chelsea's Light Foundation. "We are forever grateful for their commitment to helping communities, individuals, and organizations like ours reach their full potential in making dreams come true and lives more meaningful."

Through the amazing generosity of industry partners, Clark CARES has donated more than $1.4 million to over 70 charitable organizations in just San Diego alone. Proceeds from this year's event were made possible by 75 corporate sponsors, many of whom return year after year.

On both evenings of the event, the tournament included a dinner and awards reception at the Del Lago Ballroom of Maderas Golf Club. Reception highlights included a raffle, the announcement of tournament winners, and a formal donation presentation to the charitable recipients.

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