It's almost time for the 2000 Beacon Schools of the V.I. Celebrity Golf Tournament at Mahogany Run, and according to organizer Valerie George, "This year's tournament is looking better than ever."
The celebrity line-up is impressive and growing, with football Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson, boxing's Sugar Shane Mosely, and Reggie Williams of basketball confirmed. Dickerson also attended last year, before his Hall of Fame honors.
Highlighting the TV/Movies stars are Alan Thicke, Kenya Moore and Flex Shanloe. Cuba Gooding and Halle Berry are among stars contacted, but no confirmation as yet.
The festivities start Friday August 11, with a sponsors' reception and dinner at the Renaissance Grand Beach Resort, where the golf teams meet their celebrity counterparts.
Saturday is practice golf rounds topped off with a cocktail part and the Silent Auction, also at the Renaissance.
Sunday is the Big Day, the tournament, after which the Awards Banquet will be held at the Mahogany Run Banquet Room.
The Beacon School program in the territory started out in 1997 with 634 members. The non-profit program now has more than 4,000 members, and is still growing, said George. Beacons provide free after school community learning center opportunities for middle, low and very low income children and families on St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix.
Beacon schools are located in public schools strategically located to provide accessible after-school learning opportunities. They are staffed by volunteers from the community. This year 60 mentors from law enforcement agencies, businesses, schools, and a public and private citizen base provided a one-on-one juvenile mentoring program called Jump for at risk junior high school males at the Julius Sprauve, Addelita Cancryn and Elena Christian Beacons.
The scope of the program is almost overwhelming – everything from sports to performing arts, parenting programs, beach clean ups and quadrille dancing lessons, and that's to name only a few possibilities to explore.
Right now George is looking for sponsors at any level, "We're not picky," she said. Also needed are contributors to the Silent Auction, for which two complimentary tickets to the event are provided.
The Silent Auction is abundant with unusually creative prizes. There's a $5,500 private pilot course from Ace Flight Center. "It doesn't matter how long it takes," said George, "Until you can solo." Or, if you prefer the water, a full-day charter for 10 from V.I. Power Yachts, or a really unique dining experience — Tavern on the Waterfront is offering a dinner for six with a cooking class thrown in. Then, of course, there are the more mundane things such as expensive jewelry.
Platinum sponsors, a $10,000 contribution, are American Airlines, Mahogany Run Golf Course, Prosser Innovative Communications Corp., Renaissance Grand Beach Resort, Seslia Securities and Chase Manhattan Bank.
There are other sponsor categories ranging from Gold at $5,000 to a supporter sponsorship for contributions of $100 to $300.
The entry fee per team, three members plus a celebrity, is $2,000. It includes the celebrity, three tickets to the sponsors reception and dinner, the Calcutta cocktail reception and the awards banquet. For tournament information, call Nevin Phillips (340) 777-6006, ext. 5.
For sponsorship information, call Valerie George at (340) 777-9300. Persons not in the tournament who wish to attend the Silent Auction, may purchase a ticket for $30.
