FOR the past four years, the heads of the North Shore's three municipalities have loaned their support to a unique fundraising golf tournament that benefits us all.
This year's North Shore Mayors' Golf Tournament is aimed at providing $50,000 in funding for the Complementary Health and Wellness Centre project of the North Shore Women's Centre.
Money raised will be used to fund the program's two year start-up period for a centre that will be the first of its kind on the North Shore.
The Complementary Health and Wellness centre will be an integrative health centre providing a broad range of complementary care services such as acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, naturopathy, homeopathy, chiropractic, massage therapy and reflexology.
The focus will be on education and prevention for women living in poverty. The objective will be to assist women in need of a health care plan and help guide them through difficult transition periods.
It couldn't happen without community support.
"The support we get from over 60 corporate sponsors is amazing and we can't thank them enough," said Norm Smith, a member of the organizing committee.
"These sponsors provide cash and donated goods and services. While there are different levels of support, all sponsors contribute to putting on a successful event. Our three mayors have also been very supportive in lending the name of their respective offices to the event. We really appreciate their encouragement and enthusiasm for the event."
With a noon shotgun start, the day's events include team and individual competition, on course challenges and contests as well as food and beverage sampling.
There is also a post-game meal and live auction to boost fund raising efforts.
Over the course of the past four years, this North Shore focused tournament has raised $479,000 and benefitted Hollyburn Family Services, the Lookout Emergency Shelter, North Shore Community Resources, the Go Bus and Seniors' Shuttle.
Run almost entirely by volunteers, all the money raised from The North Shore Mayors' Golf Tournament goes to the designated charities, the North Shore Community Foundation and the West Vancouver Foundation.
Last year there were 33 volunteers split between morning and afternoon activities. The organizing committee - consisting of seven people, all volunteers-work for over six months raising money and organizing the program for the day.
It's a great event and all of the benefit stays on the North Shore.
To find out how you can volunteer, sponsor, play or help, check it out online at www.mayorsgolf.ca or call Norm Smith at 6049851761.
It's always a lot of fun.
