The Arizona Daily Star Sportsmen's Fund raises money to send economically disadvantaged kids to summer camp for a week. We are sponsored by the morning newspaper, the business community, organizations like the Tucson Conquistadores and people just like you. Governed and run by an all-volunteer membership made up of community leaders, there is no paid staff, so almost 98% of the money raised goes to
send kids to camp.
We're proud of our history.
Since 1947, we've sent nearly 32,000 kids to camp. Another 20,000 boys and girls have received a gift at the Sportsmen's Fund annual Christmas party. It all started when a foursome of local golf pros played an exhibition at El Rio to earn the Sportsmen's Fund it's first dollars. The local group consisted of Dell Urich, Leo Diegel, Jimmy Hines and Ricki Rarick, who originated the idea to help Tucson kids. That first event raised enough money to pay for a Christmas party for 3,000 children at the Fox Theatre Downtown. They were treated to cartoons and goodies, and each was given a piece of athletic equipment.
In all, we've raised more than $2 million and spent almost 98% if it directly on the children of Southern Arizona.
