Power To Golf for Kids Charity Challenge a huge success

In our most successful fundraiser to date, we raised $145,000, surpassing the goal of $110, 000 for the annual Power To Golf for Kids Charity Challenge fundraiser, held Sept. 15, 2011, at Olympic View Golf Course.

In the spirit of partnership, business communities from Victoria and the Lower Mainland joined forces in to raise funds for the 400 youth we will serve this year. With the continued success of Power To Golf for Kids Charity Challenge, Power To Be has raised over $300,000 since the golf fundraiser’s inception four years ago. Exceeding its targeted goal, development and sustainability plans for future programs are already underway.

“This is a very important fundraiser for us, and it’s been simply amazing to see what a group of committed businesses and individuals can do to improve the quality of life and health of youth and families in our community,” said Tim Cormode, Power To Be Executive Director. ” The financial generosity of these supporters will directly provide inclusive based programming that enriches and empowers individuals who face significant challenges in their daily lives”

Money raised from Power To Golf will support both Power To Be’s program streams, Adaptive Recreation – a positive response to the community need for inclusive, nature based recreation for people living with a barrier or disability, and the Wilderness School- a five-year program for youth that fosters positive social development and life skills though outdoor adventure activities, which encourage leadership and connect youth to wilderness.

On the course golfers had the chance to experience what living with a barrier or disability felt like through challenges designed to emulate what some of Power To Be’s participants face daily. Teeing off from a wheelchair and driving balls one-handed proved difficult for most, but it created a great sense of connection to the Power To Be cause and its participants.

The evening reception wrapped up with a live auction hosted by The Zone 91.3’s Jeremy Baker. Bidders had the opportunity to claim some incredible items ranging from Thai luxury resort stays, hockey packages, spectacular helicopter wilderness trips and even pace car rides with legendary drivers. In what proved an exceptional event, Power To Be is already busy planning – and improving – for next year.