With the swing of a golf club, realtors at Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty are raising money for local women’s shelters.
As part of the 11th annual Royal LePage Shelter Foundation Golf Party, golf enthusiasts of all levels can compete in the Texas scramble-style play at the charity event at the Cedar Hill Golf Course in Saanich on Sept. 1.
New this year will be a putting tournament and two chances to win a $10,000 prize if participants sink a hole-in-one on two different holes.
Following the golf tournament, there will also be a silent auction, dinner and live auction.
All proceeds from the auction goes toward four local women’s shelters that provide a safe transitional home for women and children escaping domestic violence, including the Cridge Transition House for Women, Victoria Women’s Transition House Society, Margaret Laurence House and the Sooke Transition House Society.
“A lot of us take shelter and safety for granted and what we’d really like to do is help get the message out that not everyone feels safe or has shelter or feels safe in their shelter,” said Sarah West, golf party organizer.
“A very small donation or participating in an event might not seem like a lot for people that do it, but it makes an incredible impact on the lives of women and children in [Greater] Victoria.”
Marlene Goley, manager of the women’s and family centre at the Cridge Centre, said the donation will be used to keep vehicles on the road to transport women to appointments and support women with no immigration status, among “dozens of other things.”
“We just couldn’t do what we do without their help. It not only is absolutely crucial to what we do of being able to provide the supports that women need so they can use our services, but it also sends a critically important message to women who are leaving violent relationships that there is a community out there that supports their decisions,” Goley said.
So far, there are roughly 60 people registered for the tournament and this year’s goal is to surpass last year’s $20,000 fundraising total.
“We are looking for people who want to golf or donate prizes to help,” said West, noting local businesses have already supplied gift certificates, artwork, and flights to Vancouver.
The cost is $125 for golf, power cart and dinner or just $50 for dinner.
For more information, please go online to Rlpgolf4shelter.com, email sarah@propertiesinvictoria.com or call 250-920-7000.
Sooke Transition House Society
The Sooke Transition House Society provides emergency shelter for women and their children who are in crisis resulting from family violence.
The society provides additional services and programming, in partnership with other organizations to care for the emotional needs of women and children who experience or bear witness to abuse, or are at risk of abuse, threats, or violence.
For more information, please call 250-642-2544.