Although an official tally for the inaugural Play 4 Kidz golf charity had not been calculated when an organizer spoke with the Round Up last week, the event was estimated to have raised about $14,000.
"That will go towards the children who are in need in our community," said organizer Chris Vardas, a family man, local business owner as well as a Town of Sundre councillor, whose expectations were exceeded.
All of the Coyote Creek Golf and RV Resort's 18 holes were sponsored, a total of 25, four-player teams signed on, and plenty of draw prizes were donated, he said, telling the Round Up that the fundraiser received an "unbelievable amount of support. The turnout was fantastic, I was overwhelmed."
Of all the participants he spoke with, Vardas said everyone committed to coming back for the second annual event in support of a good cause, and that others who were unaware the fundraiser was happening planned to put a team in next year.
"Some people from the city even came to put teams in ó they were really happy with it," he said.
"We're already getting requests for next year."
The idea to establish a charity event to raise funds to help ensure families that are enduring financial hardship still have an opportunity to register their children in sports and activities had been floating around his mind for a number of years.
Several months ago, that dream started to become a reality following a conversation with Dr. Rob Warren, another local family man and business owner, who decided to partner with Vardas to get the event off the ground.
However, although he and Warren spearheaded the effort and got the ball rolling, Vardas expressed his gratitude for all of the volunteers who sat on the committee and "did most of the work."
Come the big day of the event ó Saturday, July 29 ó the sun was shining, the skies were clear and blue and the weather was warm.
"It couldn't have gone better," he said.
"It was phenomenal how well this community came together."
The funds raised will remain in Sundre to help make sure local children are not left behind, he said, encouraging anyone who cannot afford to register their kids in a sport, program or activity to contact a committee that will soon be put together to consider requests. Until then, Vardas said that either he, Warren or other organizers and volunteers involved with the event could be approached.
Additionally, the Greenwood Neighbourhood Place Society will also be able to provide people with referrals, he said.
Marita Stermann, GNP director, said the new committee will provide another option in the society's list of potential referrals for people in need of support.
"I'm always impressed with how Sundre is looking after their own and looking for new ideas ó it's a great community," she told the Round Up.
Whereas certain programs have restrictions based on financial situations from the previous year, the new resource is local and based on the needs of a family at the given time, she said.
"They've done an excellent job creating this new support. We'll definitely refer anybody to it if they come asking through our office," she said.
"As soon as they have formal application forms and processes in place, we'll know about it and make sure it's available to the community."
The GNP office is located between the local schools and can be reached at 403-638-1011.
Although the bar was set fairly high with this year's successful event, Vardas said he hopes to build on and further improve the fundraiser next summer.
"I hope to see everyone out again next year!" said Vardas.
