Members from organizations across the community were out in full force at the 2017 Ducharme Motors Charity Golf Tournament and Dinner.
The tournament was held in partnership with the Bonnyville Child and Adolescent Mental Health Collaborative on Friday, Sept. 15, at the Bonnyville Golf and Country Club. Proceeds from the event went to supporting local mental health programs.
“This year was a huge success. We had a really high turnout. There were a lot of golfers and people spent money on the silent auction items,” detailed Shon Gamache, sales and marketing manager for Ducharme Motors.
While a total is yet to be tallied, organizers were confident they exceeded their fundraising goals.
Participants varied from members of community-based businesses, local dignitaries, and residents wanting to support youth in the community.
“It just shows the spirit of Bonnyville. We've always been known as a place that really shows up when there's a charity in need,” Gamache noted.
During the tournament, 82 golfers completed 18-holes under sunny skies.
While players were out to have fun, they also understood the severity of the issue the event was benefitting.
“I signed up for the tournament because I believe in mental health for adolescents. They need our help through community programs, and I'm here to support that,” said Bonnyville resident Sherry Lucas.
The need Lucas mentioned was a big reason for Ducharme partnering with the mental health collaboration in the first place.
Noticing an increase in mental health related issues effecting local youth, the dealership went to the Bonnyville Healthcare Centre looking for a way to get involved.
“As a business, we want to give back to the community that supports us. We try to pick charities that are really in need. It was brought to our attention that mental health among adolescents, and even teenagers, was a real issue in Bonnyville. We decided to approach the hospital and put something together,” explained Gamache.
With the money raised from the tournament, youth involved in local mental health programs will become the direct benefactors of that partnership.
Gamache took the time to extend thanks to participants for the their generosity, after exceeding fundraising expectations.
“We made a lot of money for local programming with this event. We really want to thank each and every business and individual that came out. They made it a huge success.”
