Food bank fundraising golf tournament scheduled for May 7

F.O.R. Maricopa’s 3rd annual Golf Tournament is coming May 7 to the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes golf course.

The tournament is a charity event to raise money for the organization that helps community members struggling through tough economic times. F.O.R., which stands for food, opportunities and resources, has been helping the Maricopa community since 2006.

This year’s goal is to help raise money for a bigger food bank.

“We want to better serve the continually growing needs of those in the Maricopa area. Some of the funds will also go toward helping the food bank make it through the summer months when the needs are often high, but, unfortunately, that’s also when donations tend to drop off.” said Wendy Webb, F.O.R. executive director.

F.O.R. operates with about 30-40 regular volunteers, and 100 that come and go. The organization is also involved in donating school supplies to MUSD, support to the New Life Pregnancy Center, assistance to the Eloy, First Baptist and Casa Grande food banks , and ,for the holidays, they help families with food boxes that include turkeys or hams. They also have a Christmas Carnival where they distribute gifts to over 1,000 children from all over the Pinal county area.

“My wife and I have always supported F.O.R. Maricopa since the beginning and have already registered for this year’s golf tournament” said Mayor Anthony Smith. “Wendy Webb is a very dedicated director, and, with her volunteers, they do an incredible job for the community. It’s very important what they are doing.”

For the golf event, Tickets are a $100 dollars each and went on sale, April 4, but there are incentives this year to sign up early and get other players involved. For those that get 10 others to join in on the event, a free ticket will be available. Registrants will also receive a raffle ticket for a one-week  time share stay. First responders, like firemen and police officers or sheriff’s deputies will be given a 10 percent discount.

Last year there were 24 teams with four members each, who raised over $20,000. Each ticket holder automatically gets entered into the raffle. 

“There are always prizes awarded,” said Webb. “Trips to Las Vegas, golf clubs and other great prizes have highlighted past events, but this year may top them all. California Pools is donating a trip to Hawaii while Freeway Chevrolet is the sponsor for this year’s hole-in-one car.”

Brian Banks, a manager for Freeway Chevrolet commented on their participation, “For us, it was a no brainer. This is our first time partnering up with F.O.R. Maricopa, and we liked what we saw from the organization.  They do a lot of good work. A lot of people from the area come to Freeway Chevrolet, and we really wanted to give back and give our support to the city of Maricopa as much as we can. We’re excited to be a part of it, and look forward to the event.”

To donate, volunteer, sponsors or enter the tournament go to www.formaricopa.org.

Submitted photo