Pictured (left to right): Dave Lieskovsky, KidSport Penticton Chair, Jeannie Anderson, Jocko Bidlake, and Jim Chernoff
Once again, business owners in Penticton along with a sell-out roster of 150 golfers stepped up to help local kids by donating to the annual KidSport and Friends Golf Tournament, held May 30 at the Penticton Golf and Country Club. The best-ball tournament, sponsored by Greyback Construction, resulted in funds to support the KidSport Penticton charity, which provides funds to kids who cannot afford to access sport.
As it has with the past 21 tournaments, the event saw a large number of businesses provide prizes and funds. Dave Lieskovsky, who chairs the KidSport Penticton committee expressed his gratitude by reporting “this amazing tournament really demonstrates how much locals appreciate the importance of sport is in the development of kids. KidSport Penticton is extremely grateful for this event each year, as this has become our primary source of revenue. We can’t thank the committee enough for what they’ve done for us. In particular, we want to thank Dick Ante, who initiated the event back in 1999, and has continued to work hard each year to make it the success it is.
This year, the golf event made $40,000 for KidSport Penticton, all of which goes to the kids in Penticton.
Lieskovsky adds that “many families struggle financially to keep kids involved in organized sport. And, nowadays, it seems that we need kids to be participating in sports more than ever. Not only does participation in sports activities provide so many personal benefits to their growth, it also instills positive socialization and leadership skills in kids, both of which are so important in later in life.”