Above Photo: Event volunteers with Gold Medallist and Olympian Jason Scorchia
For a first venture into the world of charity golf fundraisers, Volunteer MBC lucked out last Thursday afternoon at the Caledon Woods Golf Club. Nearly 60 golfers teed off under almost cloudless skies with stiff warm breezes that made more than a few holes unexpected challenges, even for Club members who joined in.
Proceeds are destined for Volunteer MBC’s 2 major youth programs, which have presence in Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon. Youth LEaD is a learning program designed to develop leadership skills in youth with emphasis on project management, volunteer engagement, and community service excellence. The not-for-profit also will use funds raised to bolster and expand its already successful StepUp Youth initiative, targeted for secondary school students interested in volunteering leadership.
At the Tournament dinner, Town of Caledon Mayor Allan Thompson in brief remarks emphasized how important Volunteer MBC continues to be in making sure that Caledon carries on a community spirit in its youth and youth engagement through their Youth LEaD and StepUp programs.
L to R: Past Board President and Event Emcee Jake Dheer, Anne Thompson, Mayor Allan Thompson, Volunteer MBC Executive Director Carine Strong, Presenting Sponsor Michael Aversa from Total Lubricants and TRP.
In addition to those programs winning overall, there were many other winners on the day as the result of 18 hole ‘best ball’, hole contests, draws, silent auctions, and other friendly fundraisers. Caledon’s Special Olympics Golf Gold Medalist Jason Scorchia was challenged on a Par 3 closest-to-the-hole by nearly every golfer, most of whom could not beat his ‘pin-high’ consistency after cheerfully contributing 5 dollars each.
That friendly contest was typical of this charity golf tournament’s atmosphere. A lot of fun while contributing to a very worthwhile cause. Tournament Events Manager Jane Scognamillo, clearly relieved that Volunteer MBC’s first outing went so well, noted that, “Many participants told me that our effort was the most fun and well-organized golfing event that they’ve experienced to date.” Volunteer MBC Executive Director Carine Strong was quick to repeat golfer Steve Jackson’s comment: “I want to commend the hard work of the volunteers and the staff. The entire experience was refreshing and exhilarating. I am happy that I won the putting contest, but what makes me happier is the fact that my contribution will be used for a greater good. I can’t wait to come and support this event in 2019.”
Strong added, “The event couldn’t happen without our presenting sponsors TRP Bolton, Total Lubricants, and event partners Scotiabank, Flato Developments, Ledson Properties, and a host of other sponsors, donors, and supporters, and the latter includes staff and volunteers out on the course.” Chuckling, she added, “For many involved, including myself, golf is new, so once again, with enthusiasm almost anything and everything is possible!”
She also offered special thanks to Mayor Allan Thompson who has been wholly supportive from the onset of the charity golf project.
About Volunteer MBC
Volunteer MBC is the volunteer centre serving the cities of Mississauga and Brampton, and the Town of Caledon. The centre strives to be a strong voice to support and promote volunteerism. The core services by the centre are offered in four key areas of connecting and collaborating, active participation, recognition, and education and learning within the Peel region. The centre is a one stop shop that offers a referral and matching service connecting anyone who wants to volunteer with a volunteer opportunity and serves the corporate community with – programming services that engage individual and team volunteering. Our Learning Centre provides a wide range of education and learning opportunities for community service organizations, volunteers and board directors. For more information about Volunteer MBC, and to find more details on the Centre’s four convenient locations in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon, visit www.volunteermbc.org
