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MEDIA RELEASE

Community welcome to Hamakua Youth Center fundraiser Saturday, June 5th

HONOKA’A—The entire Big Island community is invited to “Invest in our Youth: A Day of Golf & Celebration,” Saturday, June 5, 2010 at the Hamakua Country Club. Hosted by the Hamakua Youth Foundation, the festivities benefit Hamakua Youth Center (HYC), North Hawaii’s only free, drop-in after school center for 7-12th grade kids.

The “Day” begins with a golf tournament at Hamakua Country Club at 7:30 a.m. Slots are still available at $50 per player including prizes and lunch. But, everyone is invited to join the fun after the tourney at 1:00 p.m., when the free “Celebration” kicks off, with special presentations by HYC youth, live music, great food and silent auction.

“We have some wonderful auction items, thanks to our generous supporters,” said Foundation President Joel Cohen of Waimea, a 5-year HYC volunteer. “This is a great opportunity to have some fun, jump in the game and bid on something special for you or a friend. We are going to auction off Sunday Brunch at The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, getaways to Waianuhea or Waipi’o Wayside B & B, dinner at Merriman’s, Kahilu Theatre tickets, massages and more things coming in all the time. It’s fun to bid, it’s for a really worthwhile cause, and who knows—you might win a real ‘steal.’”

The Hamakua Youth Foundation is a grassroots, non-profit organization which oversees HYC, committed to providing a safe and engaging place for youth. HYC offers a warm welcome, communal kitchen, study space, computers, a pool table and other games, as well as a comfortable social environment and a community garden. All HYC activities are free for kids, including Hawaiian cultural programs, piano and ‘ukulele lessons, and an exciting new multi-media studio to nurture young talent and develop skills in video and CD production The HYC also provides referrals to other services and assists in many unseen ways, the needs of youth and their families.

The Foundation receives financial support for HYC from the Hawaii Island United Way, Hawaii County and private foundations, and food from the Hawaii Island Food Bank, island ranchers and farmers. However, their good work depends heavily on community support in order to maintain the operating costs for its full scope of services and programs.

Local businesses are encouraged to field a team for golf, or donate an item or gift certificate to the Silent Auction. 100% of all proceeds go directly to funding Hamakua Youth Center programs. Golf signups and donations for silent auction gratefully accepted at Barbara Franklin’s Office: 45-3488 Mamane Street (by the red wood bridge), or fax entry forms to 775-1040. To sign up or for more information, call HYC, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., at 775-0976.