HOPE's 13th Annual Charity Golf Classic Is Set to Take Place on April 5th, 2021, with Health Precautions as Priority
Old Ranch Country Club in the morning before the start of HOPE's 12th Annual Charity Golf Classic. (HOPE)
by Ian Nevarez
The fall season came and went, and much like many other events in 2020, HOPE's 13th Annual Charity Golf Classic was postponed until the spring of 2021. We are excited to announce that planning for our now Monday, April 5, 2021 event is in high gear, with health precautions as a primary focus of our planning. Since its launch in 2008, this event has raised more than $1.6 million. Since 2009 HOPE has used this funding in part to purchase 75 housing locations that are now home to an additional 288 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
This year's Charity Golf Classic will once again take place at Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach. Additionally, HOPE has brought on board the esteemed event coordination firm, Your Great Event, to help us manage this premier fundraising tournament and dinner. Together, our teams prepared to adjust and pivot event logistics based on future public health guidelines.
HOPE's Charity Golf Classic is vital to raising the needed funds to support our mission to create stable, affordable homes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. However, we are fully committed to putting the public’s health first. HOPE will be following all public health guidelines established for golf tournament dinner events come April 5. For example, we are preparing to facilitate a remote registration and online auction bidding process. Participants will be using single or plexiglass divided golf carts, and will enjoy an outdoor or virtual dinner program as needed. We will ensure that guests can practice social-distancing and stay safe during the event.
Although this event may be slightly different from previous years, the objective remains the same: empower HOPE's worthy cause. Our tournament theme of "Creating Independence" has been changed this year to the more appropriate "Health Through Housing." At HOPE, we recognize that having a safe and healthy home is a "social determinant" of our residents' health & well-being. That is why, during this global pandemic, HOPE's mission has become even more essential. Access to housing is necessary for our residents to follow "Safer at Home" public health guidelines, and housing – in general – contributes to positive physical, mental, and social health. Financial contributions to this year's Charity Golf Classic will secure our current and future homes to be safe, healthy, and accessible for those we serve.
On April 5th, local sponsors and participants will support HOPE to raise more than $200k as our goal. We thank our Title Level Sponsor, Aacres, LLC for getting us out the gate with an exciting $20K sponsorship to start this year's fundraising efforts.
HOPE volunteer with Master of Ceremonies, Rob Fukuzaki. (HOPE)
Once again, we invited ABC7 Sports Anchor Rob Fukuzaki to serve as Master of Ceremonies for the golf tournament and dinner. Each year the competition begins in the morning to thenculminate into a tournament dinner where guests learn about HOPE's recent accomplishments. Last year we heard from HOPE resident Brandon Osbourn. He shared that "Because I have this stable, affordable housing, I can prepare for work, keep up with my training, and exercise. I honestly believe, though, that without my affordable HOPE apartment, I would lose this independence."
The event will continue to offer our players and dinner guests fun on-course competition, first-rate food, drink, and refreshments, and virtual raffles, opportunity drawings, and silent auctions. Visit our event page for more information at www.hope-homes.org/golf.
We thank our many supporters for their patience and flexibility as we come together to support our mission during this extraordinary time.
HOPE is currently soliciting sponsorships for this event. If you are interested in joining us as a sponsor, please visit www.hope-homes.org/golf