The Leelanau County Sheriff's Youth League last week allocated $5,000 to eight programs focused on promoting positive behavior among the county's youth.

Sheriff Mike Oltersdorf also noted that the major fundraising event for the Youth League this year will be held at the King’s Challenge Golf Course on June 14. Proceeds from the 11th Annual “Golfing for Kids “ event will be used to support a variety of youth programs.

The Youth League Board last week announced the allocation of funds this year to:

• Suttons Bay Boy Scout Troop 131, $500 for camping equipment;

• St. Mary School Business Professionals of America program, $500 to cover a trip to the state finals;

• Suttons Bay Inland Seas Education Association, $1,000 for a canoe project;

• Leelanau County high school seniors’ all night parties, $700 for disposable cameras;

• Leelanau Children’s Choir & Youth Ensemble, $300 for music materials;

• Cedar Rod & Gun Club, $1,000 for youth equipment

• Leelanau County DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program, $500 for classroom materials;

• Lake Leelanau Property Owners Association, $500 to fund a fishing derby at Veronica Valley.

Oltersdorf said the Leelanau County Sheriff’s Youth League was established 11 years ago when he became sheriff after his move from the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department, where a similar youth league program was in place. He said the Youth League board is able to raise between $7,000 and $8,000 annually, mostly through donations from the Leelanau County business community.

“We have never funded positions in any of these programs for adults,” Oltersdorf explained. “The money we raise is applied to benefit kids directly. The programs benefit law enforcement and the entire community because most of them are designed to keep kids on the right track and involved in healthy activities,” he said.

Any businesses or individuals interested in supporting the Youth League by sponsoring its fundraising event should call 256-8601 for more information. The cost for individuals to participate in the June 14 “Golfing for Kids” event is $75, which includes the greens fee, golf cart, lunch and dinner banquet. Golfers may register by calling 256-8601.