Edgewood gives local volunteer groups over $55,000

South Shore students are the beneficiaries of funds raised during the American Century Championship (ACC) in Lake Tahoe this July. Edgewood Tahoe partnered with three local non-profits who operated concessions during the tournament in exchange for donations to be used for education.

Lake Tahoe Community College Foundation, Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation, and Tahoe-Douglas Rotary Club each volunteered at least 400 hours at the food tents, and in exchange for their efforts they split $55,230, giving each group $18,410.

"We truly enjoyed the partnership we had during the ACC this year," said Edgewood Tahoe General Manager Corinna Osborne. "We want to be good stewards and this money is distributed to our community in a special way.

This year's ACC drew a record attendance of 57,097, with increased spending seen not only at the tournament, but also in the community.

“We wanted to see an immediate impact from this opportunity and we wanted it to focus on education initiatives,” added Osborne. "All three partners are doing incredible work that benefits our students.”

Tahoe Douglas Rotary will be using their check towards education related purposes, but exactly what project they haven't decided, according to President Mike Johnson. In the past they've provided college and vocational scholarships for South Shore students as well as support for youth leadership programs and international student exchanges.

Lake Tahoe Community College Foundation will use its portion to help expand the college’s newest scholarship, the Lake Tahoe College Promise. This year first-time, full-time California residents can attend college for free no matter what their family income is, and in 2019 that expands to Nevada residents around Lake Tahoe. The South Shore will be the first bi-state area in the country to connect to their neighboring state in such a way.

"We're one lake, one community," said LTCC President/Superintendent Jeff DeFranco.

Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to providing enrichment programs and support to kindergarten through 12th grade students in the Lake Tahoe Unified School District.

“We would like to thank Edgewood Tahoe for this opportunity and for focusing their philanthropy in 2018 on making a difference for our local students,” said Virginia Berry, Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation interim co-president. “This contribution will go directly back to students in the Lake Tahoe Unified School District for a wide range of programs and enrichment opportunities. We are deeply grateful for the support.”

The funds will be used right away with their grant cycle opening up in September.

Among community contributions in 2018, Edgewood Tahoe has donated 316 rounds of golf for high school fundraising tournaments and will donate the course for the Boys & Girls Club tournament in October which regularly raises approximately $45,000 to $55,000 for the club.