Celeb Classic hits the links this weekend
Eastwood, Nealon among long list helping YMCA
By GREGORY FOLEY
Express Staff Writer
World-renowned actors and performers are set to converge on Sun Valley this weekend, Aug. 14 and 15, to participate in the Wood River Community YMCA?s Celebrity Classic fundraising event.
Founded by Hollywood television producer Bud Yorkin, the annual Celebrity Classic includes a golf tournament on the Sun Valley Golf Course, as well as a dinner, auction and ?Night of Laughs? program.
The event this year will feature a long list of stars, including actor-turned-politician Clint Eastwood, Grammy Award-winning musician Peter Cetera and former ?Saturday Night Live? comedian Kevin Nealon.
The Celebrity Classic attracts about 400 guests and participants each year.
The auction is particularly popular, featuring memorabilia, gifts, trips and other merchandise donated by individuals and businesses. Auction items this year include a walk-on role on the HBO hit series ?The Sopranos,? a golf trip for four to Ireland and a one-day whitewater raft trip for up to 18 people on the Payette River.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the proposed Wood River Community YMCA.
The facility is designed to feature an ice rink, event center, two swimming pools, climbing facility, fitness center, full-court gymnasium, aerobic-dance room, a learning center and a community meeting room. As planned, the YMCA?which would be located in central Ketchum?would offer sports, recreation and education programs for residents and visitors of all ages.
YMCA managers are in the midst of an ambitious capital campaign aimed at starting construction of the project by spring 2005. To date, they have raised approximately $5.5 million of the $16 million needed.
Those interested in attending the event, or contributing to the fundraising campaign, should call the Wood River Community YMCA at 726-6260.
