Clearwater for Youth is a non-profit organization dedicated to removing financial barriers which might prevent children from playing sports because they cannot afford to participate. Clearwater for Youth encourages sports in the community by offering scholarship opportunities, grants and matching funds to youth programs and participants in need.

During the Celebrity Banquet, legendary boxing coach Angelo Dundee was honored with the Frederick E. Fisher Humanitarian Award. Throughout his fascinating career, Dundee has coached some of the top names in boxing, including Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, and George Foreman.

Jamie Moyer and his wife Karen received the J. Warren Hughes Champion for Youth Award. Not only is Moyer an All-Star Major League Baseball pitcher (currently pitching for the Phillies), but he has given back to the community through the Moyer Foundation, which he co-founded with his wife. The Moyer Foundation's mission is “to offer encouragement, comfort and support to children enduring a time of profound emotional, physical or financial distress.”

In the past year, Clearwater for Youth raised $1.2 million, which makes 2009 the biggest fundraising year for Clearwater for Youth to date. The year was started out on the right foot with a generous donation of $700,000 from Richard O. “Dick” Jacobson made at last year's Celebrity Banquet. In this year’s banquet over $50,000 has been raised.

Donations are used to provide hundreds of scholarships, travel grants and equipment for children who would not normally be able to afford it. Because of Clearwater for Youth, thousands of children throughout the Clearwater region have been able to participate in activities such as football, cheerleading, track & field, basketball and swimming.

Clearwater for Youth began in 1967 as a Kiwanis project and was developed into a non-profit in 1972. Clearwater for Youth is dedicated to helping the “community youth reach their fullest potential through enriching and productive activities.” Clearwater for Youth builds the skills that are taught through sports, such as character building, sportsmanship and teamwork, living up to their philosophy, “Building Character Through Sports.”

Sports provide more than just fun and fitness for children. The skills and positive behavior developed at an early age from participating in a sports program can last a lifetime. Children are taught teamwork, perseverance and sportsmanship, while forming friendships and improving their self-esteem.

For more information on Clearwater for Youth, visit http://www.clearwaterforyouth.org/.