The Cedar Hill Golf Club Ladies’ Division players are aces not only on the links. They’re champion community fundraisers.
Their annual Ladies’ Field Day charity golf event has raised more than $250,000 for Victoria Hospice since 1986. This year, they broke previous records to raise more than $27,700 through event registrations, a silent auction, and a range of inventive fundraising activities.
A fun event inclusive of developing players, the Ladies’ Field Day is a favourite among South Island golfers and garners a waitlist topped at 120 this year.
When room rental cost and a municipal grant shortfall presented a challenge, Peninsula Co-op stepped in with a matching $10K donation in addition to their generous sponsorship.
“Peninsula Co-op is honoured to have supported the Cedar Hill Ladies’ efforts for nearly a decade,” says Marketing and Community Relations Director Lindsay Gaudette. “We truly believe in supporting Victoria Hospice as they care for people in our community when they need it most.”
Field Day Coordinators Doreen Hall and Carol Thompson have been hitting the road to solicit donations for the event for more than 10 years. The positive response to the tournament and generous contributions shows how many people in the community have experienced and value hospice services, they say.
“Everyone knows someone who has been touched by hospice care,” says Carol, whose father died in hospice in Kelowna. “I don’t think there have been many times when Doreen and I have been turned down when asking for donations.” “It’s one of the most worthwhile things I do,” Doreen says.
The caring team and peaceful environment at hospice were greatly appreciated when Doreen’s husband came to hospice for the last 24 hours of his life, she says.
“After Dr Wilde, one of the doctors, came to speak to us, my daughter said, ‘That was an angel.’”
Driving forces behind the successful event include committee members and dozens of volunteers, who enjoy – as the ladies say – creating opportunities for people to support compassionate end-of-life care.
Tournament Chair Alison Farquhar says, “People are so generous, and everyone enjoys dedicating the day to the event, partly because it’s such a worthy cause.”
“The proof is in the pudding with the number of ladies who return each year,” Doreen says.