LAURIE WEIR
It’s tee time!
The inaugural Golf for Change charity golf tournament in support of Lanark County Interval House and Community Support will take place May 31 at the Mississippi Golf Club. It will be the first charity tournament of the season in Lanark County. Registration begins at 11 a.m. so why not dust off the clubs and check out the action at this beautiful championship course along the Mississippi.
The cost is $160 per person, which includes 18 holes of golf, a cart, barbecue lunch (burgers, salads, dessert, drink) and a swag bag.
There is room for 30 teams of four players, but you better book your tee time soon, because spots are filling up.
Cathie McOrmond is the resource development specialist at LCIHCS. She said she’s hoping this will be the start of a fundraising adventure they can host annually. She has her sights set on raising $10,000 to $15,000 which will support programming.
“We’re pretty excited about it,” she said. “We have had an excellent response so far.”
McOrmond said this is their first fundraising golf tournament.
“Running a fundraiser is so important to our organization,” she said. “There are so many programs that are essential to women who are fleeing a life of violence and abuse. We need funding to help support those programs and this is what (the fundraiser) is all about.”
Proceeds from this tournament will be injected into programs that are most in need of funds, McOrmond said.
Programs include:
- Shelter Program: emergency shelter for women and children who are threatened by abuse and gender-based violence. The seven-bedroom shelter can house 15 women and children.
- Women’s Program: Counselling and group support to those not in the shelter.
- Child and Youth Program: Designed for children and youth ages four to 18 who have been exposed to domestic violence.
- Sexual Assault Support Program: Short and long-term counselling for individuals, and support groups for trauma related to sexual assault and/or childhood sexual abuse.
- Second Stage Program: These fully furnished and secure units for women who have experienced domestic violence and are now in need of safe and affordable housing.
- Family Court Support Program: There is a family court support worker available to those in Lanark County who need one.
- Perseverance Pantry: Provides access to healthy and affordable food and hygiene essentials that are of value to them and their family.
- Public Education Program: Increased the awareness of a community on the topic of domestic violence creates a safer community. LCIHCS offers free training and workshops for schools, service providers, and community groups as a way to break down barriers and create culture change.
McOrmond said like everywhere, “Funds are tight and trauma is still high. Our shelter is at capacity most days, and sometimes, it’s over capacity.”
It’s challenging she said, in terms of fundraising.
“There are a lot of people here and the cost of living is very high,” she said. “So, we’re paying quite a bit of money for food to support the women and get them back on their feet.”
She said she’s looking forward to see this golf tournament take off, and if it’s anything like their signature event, Violet Femmes in the fall, it will be a big hit.
“That was very successful,” she said of Violet Femmes. “We sold out within one week. People were scrambling trying to get tickets.”
To register, visit www.canadahelps.org and sign up for an account if you don’t already have one. Online registration is now available: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/lanark-county-interval-house/events/golf-for-change-golf-tournament-fundraiser-for-lanark-county-interval-house/edit/
