Minnetonka Resident Plans Charity Event to Benefit College Success Nonprofit

The 2012 GEN Children’s Charity Open on June 11 at the Minneapolis Golf Club raised more than $45,000 for Twin Cities nonprofit College Possible, the most in the event’s 12-year history.

GEN Children’s Charity is a nonprofit organization that holds a golf tournament every two years with the goal of raising funds on behalf of a Twin Cities organization focused on helping children. College Possible was selected as the partner for this year’s tournament.

“We’re incredibly grateful to have been selected as the partner and recipient of the proceeds from the 2012 GEN Children’s Charity Open,” said Sara Dziuk, College Possible Twin Cities Executive Director. “The committee members worked hard to make this a wonderful introduction to College Possible for the golfers.”

More than 100 golfers enjoyed lunch, 18 holes of golf, a social and dinner. There were also hole contests with prizes and a live auction.

“We thought College Possible would be a really good fit,” said Minnetonka resident Pete Silbaugh, who served on the committee that planned the tournament.

Silbaugh, a private wealth advisor at Ameriprise Financial, sponsored the event, and previous GEN Children’s Charity events, which raised funds for Bolder Options and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“What impressed me about College Possible was their use of AmeriCorps members and their commitment to students through college completion,” said Eric Moleski, President and founder of GEN Children’s Charity. “I am passionate about improving the lives of children in our own area. Despite the relative wealth of the Twin Cities area, the need is as great here as in any other city. I see it as an investment that will produce returns for our entire society for decades to come.”

ABOUT COLLEGE POSSIBLE TWIN CITIES
College Possible™ Twin Cities, formerly Admission Possible, is making college admission and success possible for low-income students through an intensive curriculum of coaching and support. Launched in 2000, College Possible Twin Cities serves 7,600 low-income high school and college age students through its college access and completion programs. Nationwide, College Possible’s innovative and award-winning model serves 8,700 Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin students in 2011-12 with plans to reach 20,000 students annually in 10 locations across the country as early as 2015. According to a recent Harvard study, the program doubles a student’s chances of enrolling in college. More information at www.CollegePossible.org.