Fired up for self sufficiency

Local philanthropists benefactors teed off Monday at the Great Balls of Fire Golf Tournament to support Project Self Sufficiency, a city-run organization that teaches motivated, low-income single parents how to become economically independent from government financial assistance programs.

The event, put on by the Huntington Beach Firefighters’ Assn. at the Seacliff Country Club, raised thousands. Huntington Beach’s Project Self Sufficiency got its start in 1985 as part of a national federal program. As funds went away, the majority of the programs around the country shuttered, but the local program managed to stay in operation.

“We’re the only one in California,” said Chris Bennett, an alumna of the nonprofit who now serves on its foundation. “You guys make such a difference.”

Bennett spoke to the golfers at their evening banquet.

“Five years ago, I came into the program as a single parent,” she said. “I was financially crippled; emotionally crippled; cognitively. It was a hard road for me.”

Bennett had suffered a stroke at the age of 29 that affected her ability to function.

“I didn’t have much belief in myself,” she said.

But after joining the program, Bennett said she and her children were adopted by different community members for every holiday, and made to realize their worth.

“I wasn’t alone out there,” she said. “I have such a huge network now.”

For tournament chairman and fire paramedic Clint King’s family, the tournament intertwined several facets of their lives.

The fire department used to hold a joint event with the police department, but when it grew to be too large to accommodate both, they amicably agreed to separate into two different tournaments.

This year’s tournament was the second since the division. Along with the tournament, silent and live auctions added to the amount raised.

Although many of the golfers attended just to have fun and raise money, golfer Greg Weiler managed to score a 185-yard hole-in-one on a par-3 hole.

The Huntington Beach Firefighters’ Assn. selects a different local nonprofit each year to benefit.

“We always try to help a charity within the city of Huntington Beach’s boundaries,” Assn. President Don Boland said.

This year Project Self Sufficiency was a natural choice, organizers said.

“We know that the project is successful,” Boland said. “We also know that there is a definite need. We’re pretty excited that we’re able to support this organization — and with the economic downturn, they’re really going to need our support this year.”

“I like it because it’s a city-run thing,” King said. “I’ve met several of the graduates. Anything involving kids is a heart-tugger.”

Bennett told of a couple she met when her daughter was in third grade. They invited her entire family to go swimming at their house, and that began a long, close friendship, she said.

She danced for the first time after her stroke at a King family wedding, she said. King’s parents, who had developed the relationship with Bennett, received hugs from her after her speech.

Along with his parents and wife, King’s son Sean sat at the family table. Sean, 12, is a football player who was voted Student of the Year and wants to be a firefighter just like his father, who recently was awarded Firefighter of the Year.

“I’m proud of my dad,” Sean said. “He’s doing a great job.”

Major tournament sponsors were awarded fire helmets emblazoned with the association’s logo and a 9/11 reminder label.

The organization also uses its giant red barbecue trailer to provide meals at an American Cancer Society Relay for Life.

The experience was especially poignant for his family; King’s father, a longtime Compton firefighter, learned he had lung cancer just days after volunteering at the Relay for Life.

The Firefighters’ Assn. also works with the Assistance League and the Muscular Dystrophy Assn., and serves a variety of other charities.

“That’s what the fire service is all about,” King said.

HOW TO HELP

For more information on Project Self Sufficiency, call (714) 536-5439.

CANDICE BAKER may be reached at (714) 966-4631 or at [email protected].