Golf classic to benefit Oak Park schools

By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

SWINGS FOR CHARITY-Oak Park Unified School District Superintendent of Schools Tony Knight, left, and Friends of Oak Park Chairman Michael Reilly, right, along with students from Brookside Elementary School, get into the mood for a golf fundraiser on March 21 at Lake Lindero Golf Course.

The chance to win a $30,000 Mini Cooper car, a golf vacation in Scotland, or a Bahamas cruise are good incentives to participate in the Friends of Oak Park Schools second annual Oak Park Golf Challenge at North Ranch Country Club on March 21.

The nonprofit education foundation was created last year to help pass Measure D4, the parcel tax initiative designed to supplement district funds during California’s fiscal crisis. The first annual golf classic funded the D4 campaign, which voters overwhelmingly passed last year.

There will be an awards banquet dinner after the golf tournament, followed by a silent and live auction and door prizes.

"What better excuse is there to play golf on a Monday and dine in a wonderful setting with your friends than to support Oak Park school," said Michael Reilly, chairman of the foundation. "We hope all Oak Park parents and teachers will come to the awards dinner even if you are not a golfer," he said.

The shotgun tournament will start at 11 a.m. The entry fee is $250. per person, and includes dinner. For dinner alone, the cost is $65.

Several corporate sponsors contributed to the event, including John Gardella of Countrywide Home Loans. Gardella donated $10,000 to the event.

"The financial support provided by Friends of Oak Park Schools is critical to maintaining the outstanding quality of education that we have in Oak Park," said Tony Knight, superintendent of Oak Park Unified School District.

"Hundreds of communities across California have formed foundations like this to help bridge the funding gap faced by their school districts as a result of increasingly limited public education funding from the state and changing enrollment patterns. These are very real threats facing Oak Park schools."

To sign up for the golf tournament or dinner and auctions, visit www.friendsofoakparkschools.org, or call Jeff Lee at (818) 991-5099.