Rideau Bridge to Canada is partnering with Brockville Freedom Connection and Open Arms Brockville to host an exciting fundraising event that offers something for everyone while helping all three refugee sponsorship groups bring new families to our communities.

The picturesque Brockville Country Club will be the setting for the Rideau Bridge Golf Tournament on Friday, September 9, 2022. For $140, golfers of all skill levels will enjoy 18 holes on one of the best courses in Eastern Ontario, plus golf cart and dinner. The tournament will get underway at 10:30 a.m. with a putting contest followed by a shotgun start at noon. Register today to secure your spot: www.merrickville-bridge.ca/golf.

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 An extra perk: all those registered for the tournament by August 8, 2022 will automatically be entered into a draw to win tickets for the Canadian Women’s Open Golf Tournament (a chance to see Brooke Henderson in action!), courtesy of Golf Canada.  

After the golf, the live and silent auctions will offer something for everyone. Non-golfers are more than welcome to simply come for the dinner and the auction excitement (register as above for meal only).

Organizers are looking for sponsors, as well as donations for prizes and auction items. The event’s Platinum sponsor will receive a free promotional video made by Ottawa-based videographer Vincent Sabourin that will be made at the tournament. Volunteers are also being sought for the day’s activities.

Proceeds from the Golf Tournament will be split equally between Rideau Bridge and the two Brockville sponsorship groups (Brockville Freedom Connection and Open Arms Brockville) combined.

“All three sponsorship  groups would like to express their thanks in advance to  our communities for  your support of the Golf Tournament,” said Rev. Marianne Emig Carr of Open Arms Brockville . “This work is vitally important now as there are more than 80 million displaced persons and refugees in the world – more than after World War II. Please know that every little bit helps.”

Rideau Bridge to Canada notes that a new refugee family from Afghanistan has just arrived in Merrickville: the group welcomed Khatera, her mother, her sister, and her two children (aged 14 and 11) to the village on July 14, 2022 –  the third refugee family sponsored by the group.

Graeme Bonham-Carter of the Rideau Bridge to Canada executive explains: “Khatera worked as a human rights specialist and journalist in Afghanistan prior to the resurgence of the Taliban. Her job was to broadcast news and information that would help empower women. Because of her work in human rights and her connections to Canada and to the international community, she was immediately under threat with the resurgence of the Taliban. She managed to flee with her family to Greece, and they have now arrived in Canada with our sponsorship.”

Rideau Bridge needs to raise at least another $10,000 to support Khatera and her family during their first year in Canada. The Rideau Bridge Golf Tournament will play an important role in that. Open Arms Brockville is raising $30,000 to support the recent arrival of a young Syrian, plus a young Egyptian family coming from Malaysia. Brockville Freedom Connection has a $35,000 fundraising target as it seeks to reunite a young Somali refugee with her husband and daughter (currently in Uganda) and to bring a vulnerable single Ugandan mother and her children to Canada.

To speak with one of the organizers about sponsorship opportunities or to donate prizes or auction items, please contact Tracey Howarth at traceylhowarth@gmail.com or 343-575-2323.

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