West Plains' Zak Designs raises $440,000 for kids through open

People from around the Inland Northwest came together this summer to help open doors of hope for area children.

Zak Designs annual Zak!Charity Open golf tournament, dinner and auction raised more than $440,000 July 29-30, money that will benefit two local children's charities. Proceeds will help the Rypien Foundation and its mission to provide hope to families in the Inland Northwest with children who suffer from cancer as well as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County in fulfilling their pledge to provide the hope and opportunities to help local children succeed in life.

This is the 13th year for the Open, which has now raised over $3.5 million for local children's charities. Besides two separate golf tournaments July 30 at Spokane Country Club and Manito Golf and Country Club, a dinner and auction at Northern Quest Resort and Casino also raised funds.

“I'm always so proud of how much we raise to help these at-risk children,” Zak Designs owner Irv Zakheim said in a news release. “But it also reminds me how much more we need to do. There are still so many doors left to open.”