MERIDIAN, Idaho — 2010 Winter Olympic Silver medalist Jeret “Speedy” Peterson will trade in his snow skis for golf clubs as he highlights the seventh annual Regence Caring Foundation for Children charity golf event August 5 at SpurWing Country Club
By hosting the tournament, the Caring Foundation is continuing its mission of assisting uninsured Idaho children. All net proceeds of the tournament go toward providing critical dental care services for those less fortunate.
And while participants are helping children, they also have a chance to win a Lexus automobile in the tournament’s hole-in-one contest.
The event begins with registration at 7 a.m. at the club. A golf clinic follows at 8 a.m., and the shotgun start of the tournament is at 9 a.m. Registration for the event, which is limited to the first 144 players, is available by calling (208) 395-7741.
“Poor oral health among children is a serious health problem which is why we’re continuing to increase our efforts in education and outreach,” said Kathy Ellis, Idaho director of the Foundation, which provides free, comprehensive oral health care to uninsured children. “We’re partnering with dentists, schools, health departments and other community members to treat children and educate them about oral health problems early before they lead to more serious health problems.”
Ellis cited weight loss, school absenteeism, speech impediments and costly emergency room visits as some of the issues that can arise if oral health problems are left untreated.
The Foundation has conducted oral health clinics in elementary schools reaching thousands of children throughout Idaho. At those clinics, children receive exams, sealants, fluoride treatments and educational materials about proper oral health care.
“The work of the Foundation helps fill some of the needs of the uninsured and underinsured members of our communities, and that is why our partnerships are so valuable,” Ellis said. “It’s important that children have a chance to smile so all net proceeds from this event will help us continue to provide oral health care services to underprivileged Idaho children.”
According to the U.S. Surgeon General, poor oral health has reached epidemic proportions among low-income children nationwide, and research indicates Idaho children are no exception. The Foundation’s program helps children achieve complete oral health (up to a maximum of $1,000 per child per calendar year) through a full array of benefits, including preventive and restorative care.
Individuals can register for the tournament and clinic for $250, and teams of four can enter for $1,000. Aside from the clinic prior to the tournament, registration includes green fees, use of a cart, a catered lunch, beverages and prizes. Prizes will be awarded to winning teams and also for men’s and women’s longest drive and men’s and women’s closest to the pin.
About Jeret “Speedy” Peterson
Jeret “Speedy” Peterson has established himself as one of the most accomplished aerialists in the world. Peterson is a three-time Olympian, three-time US National Champion, seven-time World Cup winner, 2005 World Cup Overall Champion and has two World Records. Entering the 2010 Winter Olympic finals in fifth place, he successfully landed his signature “Hurricane” maneuver (five twists, three flips) to win the silver medal. An international fan favorite in freestyle skiing, Peterson began skiing at age seven at Bogus Basin Ski Resort. At age 11, he attended a summer aerials camp in Lake Placid, N.Y., where coaches noticed his oversized helmet and checkered life jacket and he earned the nickname “Speedy,” resembling the fabled “Speed Racer” character. Today, Peterson volunteers for the Special Olympics, speaks for various children’s organizations and donates his free time to ski for charities benefiting youth.
About the Regence Caring Foundation for Children
The Regence Caring Foundation for Children is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization sponsored and administered by Regence BlueShield of Idaho. Regence continues its proud tradition of donating all of the Regence Caring Foundation for Children’s general administrative expenses, allowing 100 percent of profits from fundraising events and other donations to provide free dental care services to children. The Foundation provides services to low-income children in Idaho whose families cannot afford private coverage and receive no government assistance. The dental care provided helps children avoid problems stemming from untreated oral disease, including school absenteeism, needless weight loss, unnecessary and costly emergency room visits and life-threatening infections. For further information, please contact Kathy Ellis, Idaho director, at (208) 395-7741. You may also visit our Web site at: www.caringfoundationforchildren.org.