Despite the daunting challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, West Coast Golf Group (Hazelmere Golf & Tennis Club in South Surrey, Swaneset Bay Resort in Pitt Meadows and Belmont Golf Club in Langley) has repeatedly stepped up to support community through making generous contributions to the Sources Foundation.
Sources Foundation works with community to raise funds to support the essential social services delivered by Sources Community Resources Society (SOURCES), a community-based non-profit organization whose 40+ programs serve individuals and families of all ages and abilities throughout the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and Northern British Columbia. The Foundation’s largest event – the Annual Fundraising Gala – was set to take place at Hazelmere in late April but was postponed due to the pandemic. Hazelmere has been the venue for the Sources Gala for the better part of the last two decades and is also a $15,000 sponsor for the 2020 event.
“The Gala raises a major source of funds needed to deliver many of our vital programs for the most vulnerable members of community. The $390,000 raised through last year’s event allowed us to prevent homelessness for people at risk, stock our Food Banks with nutritious food, offer free counselling to young people and those in crisis, and much more,” said Bruce Hayne, President of Sources Foundation. “Not being able to hold the Gala on time has affected our operations.”
Then, in May, Sources Foundation was selected as one of six B.C. charities to participate in a first-ever online live auction – Fighting COVID Together – organized and executed by Howard Blank, Able Auctions and others. Each charity was tasked with sourcing live auction packages and would keep 100 per cent of winnings. West Cost Golf Group was one of the first to support Sources Foundation’s bid.
“When we began reaching out to our supporters about this opportunity, West Coast Golf Group sent out a communication to their 14,000 golfer list to spread awareness of this unprecedented event, and in addition, donated a “Social Distancing Golf” package worth $8,750 to our live auction,” Hayne said.
“The West Coast Golf Group has been fortunate enough to safely adapt its golf operations and work procedures to allow us to remain open during these challenging times. The demand for golf has been high and that has allowed us to keep many of our employees working while providing an outlet for individuals to get some much-needed physical activity in a safe and physical-distanced environment. It has also enabled us to not only continue, but increase our support, for an organization that we are very passionate about: SOURCES,” said Frank Fourchalk, General Manager of West Coast Golf Group.
This year would have also marked the 15th Anniversary of West Coast Golf Group’s annual Pro-Am Golf Tournament, an event that signals the official start of the golf season at Hazelmere.
“It has been an opportunity to support local golf professionals while hosting our closest business suppliers and service providers for a day of golf and hospitality. When it became apparent that we would not be able to host this year’s tournament due to the pandemic, we called upon our sponsors to join us in support of SOURCES,” Fourchalk said.
“Our major suppliers and business partners including Sysco, Pepsico, Sleeman Breweries, Terralink Horticulture, Farmtek Services, Reliance/Intact Insurance and BBSPro answered the call, raising $12,500 for the Sources Foundation,” Fourchalk said. “We are proud to announce, especially in these incredibly difficult times, that our recent fundraising efforts for SOURCES now totals $36,250.”
SOURCES CEO David Young accepted the $12,500 cheque from Fourchalk at Hazelmere Golf & Tennis Club on June 2 – from a safe distance.
“West Coast Golf Group has been a great friend to SOURCES and to our community for many years,” said David Young. “From their sponsorship of our Annual Fundraising Gala, to their contributions to the Charity Live Auction, followed up with this donation – this cheque is truly an unexpected and welcome surprise. It will help ensure our essential social services continue to be available during this crisis; and will allow us to respond to new needs as they arise. Our sincere thanks to everyone at West Coast Golf Group for your continued generous support.”