The Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation is holding the 42^nd Annual Chi Chi Charity Classic, on November 14 and 15, at the Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club.

The theme of the event is “Then|Now” to highlight the achievements of the Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation. The foundation started with serving 14 kids, in an after-school program, and currently helps more than 3,000 kids each year, with community programs.

Through the years, as the influence of the foundation grew the mission remained steadfast, “to educate students in a public-private partnership and improve their academic performance, self-esteem and character using the golf course as a living classroom.”

“I believe strongly in the lessons that we learn through golf. I know firsthand the values that it can instill in our young people,” says Chi Chi Rodriguez, co-founder of the organization. “I never forgot [those lessons] impact and contributions to my life.”

The most unique feature of the Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Programs is the 170-acre campus, which serves as a living classroom for kids, with a public golf course and driving range. It is there that kids learn core values, and life lessons, through the game of golf. Other activities for kids include monitoring native bird boxes, learning horticulture and participating in the shadow program with adults working in the Golf Club and Foundation.

Tom James, the “We utilize golf as the cornerstone of a program that builds self-esteem, instills a strong work ethic and stresses the importance of a good education in the lives of disadvantaged children. With the community’s support, we will go a long way in helping children who are at risk to drop out of school without the special assistance provided by our unique partnership with the public school system. Because of the leverage through this partnership, we can really make a difference at a low cost per student.”

This year, the attendees are invited for two days of golf at the Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club, followed by a dinner at the Chi Chi Rodriguez Driving Range. The evening will feature music by Nashville artist Carl Wockner and engaging games set up with Trackman by Dialed in Golf Solutions. After happy hour entertainment, guests will enjoy a dinner program hosted by Sarina Fazan, a four-time Emmy Award-winning television anchor and reporter, and Dick Crippen, former Tampa Bay Rays broadcaster and advisor. The dinner program will highlight how the Youth Foundation is benefiting students every day. It prepares kids who might have not had access to good education for success in the most important game — life.

During the week leading up to the Chi Chi Charity Classic, Qtego, an online platform, will be open for an auction for those wishing to support the charity. This year, the goal of the Charity Classic is to raise more than $150,000 which accounts for almost 20 percent of the Youth Foundation’s educational budget. The attendees who are looking forward to the event are excited about more than rounds of golf or an engaging dinner program. For them, the Chi Chi Charity Classic is about being able to contribute to making a child’s life better through the game of golf.