Spokane, WA (August 24, 2010)- The addition of a new event and an additional golf tournament helped make the 11th annual Zak!Charity Open one of the most successful in tournament history. The three-day event that wrapped up on July 26, raised more than $400,000 to benefit the Rypien Foundation and Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County.

2010 Sponsor Brochure Now Available!

Zak! Charity Open Adds Poker Tournament to Event

One of the Inland Northwest's premier charity events just got more exciting. Organizers have announced that starting in 2010, the Zak!Charity Open will have more ways for people to get involved thanks to the additional of its newest event - the "Beat the Pros" Poker Tournament presented by the Kalispel Tribe of Indians and Northern Quest Resort & Casino.

Brothers from Different Mothers to Entertain Patrons at 2010 Summer Celebration

Each year, the Zak!Charity Open lines up some of the best acts to entertain and inspire you at the Summer Celebration. This year will be no exception as the internationally recognized comedic duo, Brothers from Different Mothers takes the stage at Northern Quest on July 25th.

Zak!Charity Open Welcomes Boys & Girls Club

The Zak!Charity Open was established as a way for people across the Inland Northwest to come together and help raise money and awareness for charities that help improve the lives of local children.

Flying the Flags of Hope

Sometimes the best medicine for a child stuck in the hospital is just a breath of fresh air. Thanks to the Rypien Foundation, the Zak!Charity Open, and several other individuals and organizations, vision for the Open Air Terrace on the 3rd floor pediatric oncology unit has now become a reality.

New Sacred Heart Cinema Opens

This February, cancer patients at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital got the red carpet treatment without ever having to leave the hospital.

Zak!Charity Open – Spreading Seeds of Hope

Spokane, WA (August 24, 2010) – The addition of a new event and an additional golf tournament helped make the 11th annual Zak!Charity Open one of the most successful in tournament history. The three-day event that wrapped up on July 26, raised more than $400,000 to benefit the Rypien Foundation and Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County.

Since it was started, the Zak!Charity Open has become one of the premier charity events in the Inland Northwest. But apparently, that hasn’t stopped organizers from wanting more.

“We’re continually trying to raise the bar as far as what we can do, and how much money we can raise,” said Irv Zakheim, founder of the Zak!Charity Open. “I don’t know how anyone can look into the faces of these children we’re trying to help and not want to do more.”

As a way to do more and raise more, the Zak!Charity Open added a Beat the Pros poker tournament to its already impressive event roster this year.

“The poker tournament was a huge success,” Zakheim said. “It was so well received that I can see that becoming one of the highlights of the event in years to come.”

Organizers also added an additional golf tournament at Manito Golf & Country Club to accommodate the growing number of players who wanted to participate in the event. These two new additions complemented the Dinner and Auction at Northern Quest Casino and Resort and the original golf tournament at Spokane Country Club to create a significantly expanded charity tournament.

“Our hope was that by providing more opportunities, we could get more people engaged,” Zakheim said. “And, once again, the people in this community didn’t disappoint us.”

Among the projects that the proceeds from the Zak!Charity Open will help fund is the salary for a special music therapist for the Chemotherapy floor at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital as well as a much needed van to help transport the children who participate in the Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County.

“Those are the tangible things we work for, but they are only a small part of the impact that this tournament has on children in this area,” Zakheim said. “The real power comes from the hope that these things provide. Hope that can be in very short supply when you’re a child battling cancer or trapped in unfortunate circumstances beyond your control. These kids can sometimes feel forgotten and alone. But when they hear about so many people coming together to help them…that’s what gives them the hope they need to overcome the challenges they’re facing. That’s what gives them the hope they need to win.”