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The league, which has raised $998,000 through its annual golf tournament and auction, will surpass the $1 million mark in raised and donated funds this year.

Kellie Skidmore, president of the Salina Charities League, said that with recent budget cuts and the down economy, people depend on the charities league and the money it raises.

"I think in today's economy, so many people need to utilize these services, and they need the funds just as badly as anyone else," Skidmore said. "It is important for us to raise money to give that back in order to help them out."

Bryan Anderson, administrator of Ashby House, appreciates the work the league does.

"The Salina Charities League is a vital part of our community, and often they are not well known, but they are humble and are good at serving the community," he said. "They do it because it is the right thing to do."

Skidmore, 41, of Salina, joined the Salina Charities League 10 years ago when she was looking for a way to help the Salina community.

"I was looking for a way to give back," Skidmore said.

Fore for forty years

The Salina Charities League was started in 1969 by three Salina area women. Mary Barbee, Marjorie Geisendorf and Dorothy Kennedy wanted to raise money for the St. Francis Boys Home and decided to have an Arabian horse show and an auction.

Skidmore said the three women raised $4,000 that year but wanted to increase the amount collected.

Katie Junk, 37, of Salina, invitations and publicity chairwoman for the league, said the group changed its fundraiser from a horse show to a men's invitational golf tournament.

The golf tournament began in 1971 and has been a popular event ever since.

Cathy Graves, the league's golf chairwoman, said entries have been pretty good for the past four years.

"We've got 104 players this year," said Graves, 41. "A lot of people come from out of town."

The golfers practiced Thursday before teeing off for three 9-hole rounds Friday at Salina Country Club. The tournament started up Friday with a shotgun start and breakfast. The final 9 holes of golf with championship pairing are scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. today.

Allocating the money

Nonprofit organizations go through an application process before they are able to receive funds. They must tell about the agency and how the money will be used.

Junk said a committee of nine members reviews all of the charities that apply.

"The committee visits the charities, writes up a report and then they choose how to distribute the money depending on the grant application and amount they are requesting," Junk said.

Who it benefits

The money benefits 25 to 30 organizations a year. Past recipients have included such organizations as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina, Sunflower Adult Day Services and Ashby House.

Anderson said Ashby House has diverse funding sources, but the money it receives from Salina Charities League helps with needs the agency normally wouldn't be able to afford.

"They have helped us purchase appliances and helped us with technology like computers," Anderson said. "One year they helped us buy a trailer that we use to move donated items, like furniture, around."

Anderson, 55, of Salina, has been administrator of Ashby House for 16 years and said it has received money every year he has been there.

Anderson said he thinks there's one thing the league does that makes it special.

"They come see us every year, and we can talk about what we are doing and how we are moving forward," Anderson said. "It also gives them a chance to learn more about us. It really is about relationship building."

Time to raise

The league has raised an average of $70,000 a year through the tournament for the past four years, Skidmore said.

Junk said some of the money comes from local businesses, which sponsor golf carts for $100 or holes for $500.

Tournament participants have a chance to win cash prizes.

An auction, social hour, dinner and dance were conducted Friday in addition to the golf tournament. Junk said the auction included art work by local artists, a five-night stay in a condo at Breckenridge, Colo., a Flint Hills golf package and Big 12 tournament tickets.

"Last year, we raised $64,000 between the auction and the cart and hole sponsorships," Junk said.

nReporter Abby Belden can be reached at 823-6464, ext. 149, or by email at abelden@salina.com.

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