Rent-to-own News - KLQ Education Foundation gears up for golfing fundraiser

Around 156 golfers will head to the scenic Hawks Prairie Golf Course in Lacey, Washington August 21 for the 4th annual Dan Quinn and James Webber Memorial Golf Tournament -- the key fundraiser for a highly successful state scholarship program.

Todd Castary, store manager for the Bremerton Quality Rentals, presents recent scholarship  award to Peter Duane.

The proceeds of the golf outing and auction -- which draws rent-to-own dealers, vendors and friends from across the country -- will go to benefit the non-profit KLQ Education Foundation which awards four-year scholarships to deserving students in Washington.

To date, the foundation has awarded $70,000 to 28 students -- seven new students were awarded earlier this month -- all of whom must maintain approved GPA scores and meet other criteria to receive the award for the additional three years.

The scholarships can be applied to either university or vocational/technical school tuition.

The increased interest means the foundation is making an impact and reaching even a broader spectrum of deserving students, according to Bryan Huff, KLQ Education Foundation chairman.

"We're thrilled to watch the number of applications increase," Huff says. "It seems to double every year. What we look for is the kid that may fall through the cracks, that kid whose parents can't afford to send him to college. That's the kid we want to help."

And the golf tournament and auction are the key fundraisers that allow the foundation to hand out scholarships year after year. The events typically raise around $40,000 per year, according to Angela Quinn, KLQ Education Foundation President.

At the auction, hunting and fishing trips will be on the block as well as a variety of sports memorabilia including a signed Joe Montana football jersey.

The KLQ Foundation was the late Dan Quinn's brainchild and after his untimely death six years ago, Kevin and his wife, Angela, of Quality Rentals, helped turn his dream into reality.

However, the foundation's mission -- to provide secondary educational opportunities to deserving students across Washington -- would not be possible without the success of the annual Dan Quinn/James Weber Memorial Golf Outing and Auction.

The tournament, which also bears the name of James Weber, a long-time Quality Rentals employee and friend, who died of colon cancer -- remains the sole source of support for the KLQ Education Foundation.

"It's an awesome feeling to know that you are helping someone to further their education," said Angela Quinn. "I know we are doing some good and that my brother-in-law (Dan Quinn) would be extremely happy if he were here to see how far we've come."

mevans@rtohq.org