For the past 16 seasons, Waterfall Resort has had the privilege of participating as the fundraising venue for the Waterfall Foundation Fishing Tournament. Nancy Murkowski, Chairwoman for the Waterfall Foundation, enjoys this annual event where guests can contribute to a worthwhile cause and have fun fishing at the same time!

“Somewhat” retired U.S. Senator/Governor of Alaska Frank Murkowski and his wife, Nancy, are long-time organizers of the event and always bring their warm welcoming Alaskan spirit to share with the camp. In addition, each year there is a U.S. Senator from Alaska in attendance.

The charitable Fishing Tournament benefits the Breast Cancer Detection Center of Alaska, (BCDC) [501(c)(3)] in Fairbanks, as well as other related medical charities such as the Ketchikan General Hospital and the Wrangell Medical Center Foundation and numerous other statewide women’s health organizations.

The Waterfall Foundation has raised $4.5 million with this Tournament and has hosted senators, representatives, and even a Speaker of the U.S. House three years running.

Each year, those attending this event have their own internal tournament for the largest King, Silver, Ling Cod, and Halibut closest to 100 lbs. Judge Henry Keen from Ketchikan caught the largest King for the 2009 Tournament. His winning King weighed in at 49.9 lbs!

This season, the Foundation raised over $300,000 at Waterfall Resort with the majority of the funding for the BCDC. A mobile highway van and 2 mobile units that fit into small bush planes have saved the lives of many women by providing medical services to the outlying areas of Alaska including the Aleutians and the Arctic.

According to Executive Director, Eileen Van Wyhe, over 80 people attended this season’s event. The charity’s 2009 live auction raised nearly $120,000. U.S. Senator from Missouri, Kit Bond, was the auctioneer for several valuable items including a traditional Alaskan mask, and walrus and ivory cribbage boards. Senator Bond fully engaged the audience in bidding up the ante, which resulted in a very lively auction with generous bidders.
This year’s sponsors included Alaska Airlines, Conoco Phillips, British Petroleum, Exxon, Southern Company, and various energy companies. Main sponsors include Brian Vanderbloemen of Duke Energy, Bob Brandt and Robbie Aiken of Pinnacle West, and Sam Kito of Kito, Inc.

Waterfall shares in the festivities and supports the cause that invites these guests to our Resort. Plus, a rousing roomful of friends shouting and clapping in appreciation for each other’s catch of the day makes for a fun and exciting Award Ceremony every evening!

Waterfall Resort is honored to be part of the Breast Cancer Detection Center of Alaska’s annual fundraising event and looks forward to their return to Waterfall August 7-10, 2010.

For more information on the Breast Cancer Detection Center, click on:
http://bcdcofalaska.org

For more information about the Waterfall Foundation, or if you are interested in participating in the 2010 Fishing Tournament and would like to receive an invitation, please contact Eileen Van Wyhe at: waterfall_eileen@yahoo.com.

For details about how a Fishing Tournament at Waterfall Resort could benefit your own charity, please call 800-350-3474.

Auctioneer Senator Kit Bond, MO and Organizer Assistant Kimberly Van Wyhe

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