2019 CHUMASH CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC TO BENEFIT CAMPAIGN TO REBUILD RANCHO ALEGRE, OUTDOOR SCHOOL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Veronica Sandoval
vsandoval@sychumashfoundation.org
SANTA YNEZ, CA – June 24, 2019 – In 2017, the Whittier Fire ripped through the Santa Ynez Mountains near Highway 154, scorching more than 18,000 acres and destroying 16 homes. The blaze also decimated 47 of the 50 structures at Camp Rancho Alegre, which has been a camping destination used by the Boy Scouts of America and schoolchildren at The Outdoor School for more than 50 years.
Los Padres Council, Boy Scouts of America has established a capital campaign to rebuild and reframe Rancho Alegre, and, as a way of contributing to the worthy cause, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has announced that the Council will be the main beneficiary of its annual Chumash Charity Golf Classic.
“One of the amazing traits of this community is our instinct to pull together, pitch in and provide help when tragedy strikes,” said Kenneth Kahn, Tribal Chairman of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. “During the Whittier Fire, many brave citizens had an opportunity to rise to the occasion and shine in an emergency situation. When the tribe was asked if we could provide transportation for 80 children and staff who needed to evacuate Circle V Ranch, we sent buses to help our brave first responders complete a dramatic rescue. We were ready to help in the moment, and we’re pleased to help Los Padres Council, Boy Scouts of America in the aftermath as it strives to rebuild a facility that has meant so much to young campers throughout the years.”
The two-day Chumash Charity Golf Classic, which will be held August 21-22 at the Alisal River Course in Solvang, will raise money for Los Padres Council, Boys Scouts of America and help fund the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians’ Technology in Schools Program, which is aimed at fulfilling high-tech needs in Santa Barbara County classrooms.
It will require an estimated $15.5 million to rebuild, modernize and improve Camp Rancho Alegre. While insurance claims are anticipated to cover $9 million of the total cost, Los Padres Council has launched a $6.5 million capital campaign to complete the project. With the camp closed, young scouts are currently forced to attend scout camps farther away, and The Outdoor School has been relocated to the smaller Camp Whittier.
“We are honored and thankful that the Phoenix Campaign to rebuild Rancho Alegre is the beneficiary of the Chumash Charity Golf Classic for 2019,” says Carlos Cortez, Scout Executive & CEO of Los Padres Council, Boy Scouts of America. “Rancho Alegre’s 215 acres provided a unique outdoor education experience to over 4,000 fifth- and sixth-graders annually through The Outdoor School plus hundreds of Scouting adventures. Thank you Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians for supporting our efforts to not only rise from the ashes of the fire but to build a unique community resource available to all families.”
The mission of Los Padres Council, Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people in all of our communities to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
Since its inaugural event in 2005, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians’ annual golf tournament has raised more than $1.4 million for local charities and nonprofits. Past beneficiaries include the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation, Dream Foundation, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Santa Barbara County, Lompoc Family YMCA, Unity Shoppe, and local schools and museums, among others.
The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has donated more than $25 million to hundreds of groups, organizations and schools in the community and across the nation as part of the tribe’s long-standing tradition of giving. To find out more about the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation and its giving programs, visit www.santaynezchumash.org.