Local Shrine Club’s virtual fundraising golf tournament ‘an overwhelming success’
Reeti Meenakshi Rohilla - Staff Writer
The Sioux Lookout Shrine Club’s third Global Charity Golf Tournament, which ran from August 11 to 21, was open to participants internationally, successfully raising over $2000 to support Shriners Hospitals for Children Canada.
The event was conducted by the Sioux Lookout Shrine Ladies Golf Tournament committee. Co-chair of the committee, Tara Drew, shared that the event “was an overwhelming success, given the state of opening that we are in due to COVID-19. The global tournament format allowed for golfers to play anywhere in support of the Shriners Hospital for Children Canada.” She added, “We had an excellent response for the tournament with over 70 golfers/donors registering $2150 for the purchase of iPads for the patients with AMC - arthrogryposis multiplex congenita - a condition that causes joints to be locked bent or straight.”
Participants had a little over 10 days during mid-August to partake and share a photo of their scorecards. Drew shared, “We were excited to have the number of participants we had signed up. We had golfers out in Calgary and down in Niagara Falls as well as in between.” She added, “Our Sioux Lookout golfers were a great support along with some Shriners that were able to attend in Sioux Lookout on Saturday. Through the wind and the rain, all enjoyed the day.”
Drew shared that the participants further attended a silent auction and blind darts at Sioux Lookout’s Royal Canadian Legion Branch 78, to help contribute to the fundraising. “The funds are still being gathered, but we are happy to announce that between the tournament, events, and the Sioux Lookout Shrine Club, a minimum two iPads will be purchased. So far, we have raised $3000 and it is growing,” she added. The online auction on the Sioux Lookout Shrine Club Facebook Page was still being tallied at the time this article went to print.
The event registration fees are dedicated to the purchase of the iPads, while other funds raised will go towards the Khartum Shrine Transportation Fund, shared Drew. She explained that the Transportation Fund provides funding for patients and their parents to attend medical appointments at Shrine Hospitals or Clinics.
“As you can imagine, when your child has health issues, there is a financial and emotional toll on the family. The Shrine is there to support financially the burden of travel and provide hospital care that is world class making the patient the centre of care. When you support our BBQs, golf tournaments, and auctions, you support children and families. Every contribution helps and eases the challenges a family is facing, if only a little,” Drew added.
The club plans to continue the global format for next year as well, along with a final tournament day in Sioux Lookout as a finale, COVID permitting. In addition to that, Drew shared, “We hope to have a live steak fry at the Legion with a games/auction night for the community to attend. Sioux Lookout is always generous with fundraising and on behalf of the Ladies Golf Tournament Committee; I would like to express our sincere thanks to our sponsors, donors, golfers, and volunteers. Without all of you, these events do not work. With your support, we are so pleased to have had a successful event that continues to grow children and their families.”