Alden Pines golfers to host holiday benefit
For many, the holidays represent a time of peace on earth, sharing time with family and friends and celebrating with the exchange of gifts and sharing a meal. For others however, the holidays represent yet another financial burden.
One of several organizations on the island who help to ease that burden is FISH, but this year, the non-profit organization has also fallen on hard times. Addressing this situation is a group of avid golfers who plan to help their community by helping FISH through this holiday season. Turning their passion into profit, the golfers at Alden Pines will host the Help FISH, Our Island Charity 9-hole Golf Scramble.
“Throughout the year, FISH, the Pine Island charity that cares for island people in need, is always there to provide a variety of free services. Their helping hand will be extended even more frequently during the coming holiday season when the need is always greatest,” said scramble organizer Phyllis Dowd. “With this in mind, the Golfers at Alden Pines will once again sponsor a golf outing to raise funds for FISH, to help brighten the holidays for those in need. We hope to see a lot of people there to help us achieve this goal which is to bring Christmas to Pine Island residents in need.”
The 9-hole scramble will be held at Alden Pines in Bokeelia on Friday, Dec. 3, beginning at 2:30 p.m. Participants can register as singles, partners or as a team of four. The fee for this charitable is event is $35 per person which includes all greens fees, use of a golf cart and a buffet supper following golf. According to Dowd, $25 of the entry fee will be donated directly to FISH. Those who would like to partake in the buffet may purchase tickets for $15 each.
In addition to the opportunity to play at Alden Pines, scramble organizers have also amassed a wide variety of items to be given away in numerous drawings.
“The merchants of Pine Island, Cape Coral and Fort Myers have generously donated a wonderful variety of gifts for the drawing at the Club House after we have dinner,” Dowd said. “Whether you are planning to golf or not, drawing tickets can be purchase at the event and for each non-perishable food item donated on that day, the contributor will receive one free door prize ticket.”
Drawing gifts include numerous gift certificates to area restaurants, art items, plants, a large wine and cheese basket and more. All proceeds from the drawing tickets also will benefit FISH.
According to Mary Jo Roane, treasurer of FISH, this year has been particularly difficult financially for a growing number of island families and individuals which has resulted in a strain on the FISH budget.
“It seemed that this year the money was going out faster than it was coming in. For example, 10 years ago when we began the Clothes for Kids back to school drive, we had 30 children, this year the number was well over 170 and things seem to still be tough for a lot of islanders,” Roane said. “While it has been difficult this year to cover our expenses and have people asking for help who we have never heard from before, thanks to the generosity of our island organizations and contributors we have been able to stay afloat. We can’t thank the Alden Pines golfers enough for sponsoring this event and it will sure help us, to help all of those who need it this holiday season.”
Golfers are asked to register in advance for the FISH Golf Scramble by calling 283-7864 or 283-8216. Those who would like to make a contribution or become a hole sponsor can mail a check payable to FISH c/o Golf Tournament, PO Box 234 Pineland, Fl 33945.