KLQ golf, auction raise 58 K for local scholarship program
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| Nancy Quinn and daughter Shana Quinn-Watkins celebrate a key shot at the KLQ Golf Tournament in Tacoma Thursday. |
Around 150 golfers representing a broad range of the rent to own spectrum braved drizzling weather Thursday to participate in the 6th annual Dan Quinn and James Webber Memorial Golf Tournament and Auction — the primary fundraiser for the KLQ Education Foundation’s home grown scholarship program — at the Hawk’s Prairie Golf Club in Tacoma, Washington.
This year, organizers estimate the event raised around $50,000 from sponsorships and golf tournament registrations. Approximately $8,000 was raised from the live and silent auctions which featured a broad range of original artwork, collectibles, specialty furnishings and memorabilia, were not available by press time.
Fundraising for the events comes primarily from rent to own industry affiliates, friends and colleagues of foundation co-founders Kevin and Angela Quinn who own local rent to own company, Quality Rentals.
"This is so much fun because of the camaraderie," said Larry Sutton, president of Rent-n-Roll Custom Wheels and Tires and multiple year participant in the KLQ tournament. "Most of us have been together in the rent to own industry for 30 years and we get to tell our old stories and have fun while all the time raising money for kids to go to college. You can’t beat that."
This year the foundation was able to award eight scholarships. Read more.
Shana Quinn-Watkins, daughter of Dan Quinn — Kevin’s brother who did not see his idea for the scholarship program realized before his untimely death – said the golf tournament was a befitting legacy for her father.
"This far exceeds anything he ever envisioned," Watkins said. "It’s so touching year after year to see the donations from people who give because they cared about my father. He was such a caring person and he loved golf. This is the perfect fundraiser."
The auction began after a post-golf dinner.
Each year the foundation provides seven $1,000 scholarships to deserving Washington state students. The scholarships are renewable for up to four years provided students continue to meet all qualifying criteria. Over the past five years, 35 scholarships have been awarded and the foundation has raised more than $320,000 at the golf tournament and auction.
The KLQ Foundation was the brainchild of Dan Quinn, Kevin Quinn’s brother. After his untimely death six years ago, Kevin and Angie Quinn created the foundation and turned Dan’s dream into reality.
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