ST. THOMAS - Celebrities were greeted with smiling faces of excited elementary school students when they stopped by to visit the Beacon School at E. Benjamin Oliver Elementary School on Thursday afternoon.

A group of five celebrities visiting the island for the 13th annual Beacon Schools Celebrity Golf Classic stopped by the school to see what the fundraising tournament supports.

Golfer John Daly, former New York Jets player Walter Briggs, Olympian Arthur Culbreath, actress Paula Trickey and American Idol finalist Chris Richardson - as well as a film crew from the Golf Channel - visited children as the Beacon School was dismissing children for the day.

"We really appreciate you all," said Beacon Schools Executive Director Diana Parker to the famous visitors. "Without your fundraising we wouldn't have an after-school."

Beacon Schools is an after-school community-based program that provides a safe haven for students and also provides adult classes. Among programs offered are homework help, computer skills and English as a second language.

The tournament is a way to raise money and awareness for the Beacon Schools program. Celebrities met Thursday with the students that their philanthropy will benefit, as they high-fived children and answered questions about their careers.

"Who was your favorite American Idol," Richardson asked a group of about 15 students.

"You!" they responded in unison, giggling to one another.

The Celebrity Golf Classic brings entertainers, artists and athletes together to compete with local golfers. Last year, the event raised more than $250,000 for Beacon Schools.

The Celebrity Golf Challenge and sponsor practice round begins at 8 a.m. Saturday at Mahogany Run Golf Course. The Celebrity Golf tournament kicks off at 8 a.m. Sunday.

There are seven schools hosting Beacon Schools programs in the Virgin Islands. They are at Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, E. Benjamin Oliver Elementary School, and Addelita Cancryn Junior High School on St. Thomas. On St. Croix the programs are at Claude O. Markoe Elementary, Juanita Gardine Elementary and Elena Christian Junior Hihg School. Julius Sprauve School hosts the program on St. John.

The event raises money by allowing sponsors to play with celebrities in the tournament.

Intrepid Investments donated $50,000 to the schools, making it the lone Presidential sponsor for this year's tournament.

This year's event will be featured on two Golf Channel programs. One will air the Celebrity Challenge at a later date. Segments for Daly's reality show that is scheduled to air in 2010 will also be filmed on island.