Sheriff’s Santa’s golf tourney to benefit needy children

Who’s got a beard that’s long and white? Who comes around on a special night? It must be Santa or Sheriff’s Santa’s.

The third annual Sheriff’s Santa’s program kicks off Monday, Sept. 15, at the Royal Dunes Golf Club, 48456 West Hwy 238, with a golf tournament.

Sheriff’s Santa’s is a program created by Maricopa UPS storeowner Taylor Werner, who borrowed the idea from his days as a Tennessee golf pro working on a similar benefit to raise funds for children in need through donations and a series of events.

The Pinal County Sheriff’s Department selects needy children and takes them shopping. “These are kids who don’t have the bare essentials,” Werner said.

Each child goes with a sheriff’s deputy to the Wal-Mart Super Center in Casa Grande and is allowed to spend $750.

“One year we had a kid buy just clothes for his family, another year a kid bought a TV, but I have never seen one of these kids go out and just spend the money on toys for themselves,” Werner said.

In the first year of existence the program helped 20 kids; in the second year it helped 32 kids have a happy holiday, but due to the economic slowdown, Werner predicts he will only be able to help 20 kids this year. “Sponsors are not able to put forth as much money as they once did,” Werner said.

The Sept. 15 event is the program’s largest fundraiser, and sponsorship packages are still available. These packages range in price from $150 to $3,500.

As part of the golf tournament, there will also be a golf ball drop raffle. Participants purchase raffle tickets with the number displayed on a golf ball. A helicopter flies these balls above the course and drops them near a hole. The ball that lands closest to the hole is the winner.

To participate in the event or for information on donating to the program, visit www.sheriffssantas.com.

File photo