Organizers were over the moon at the amount raised at this year’s Jeff Johnson’s Road to Hope Golf Classic.
In total, the event brought in $47,301 – more than $11,000 above what was raised last year.
“This is phenomenal, considering just two years ago we raised only around $8,000,” said a rather ecstatic Monique Mosich, an employee with Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc. who assists the Road to Hope charity in putting on the fundraiser.
“The tournament was full this year, that’s 144 golfers. And what this shows is the tremendous growth of this event, especially the support from the corporate community locally and around the province.”
That support begins with Alberta-Pacific, who continues to be the event’s major sponsor and provides organizational support.
“This (event) is our signature program. We started it, but now have handed it off and run it with them,” said Alberta-Pacific human resources vice-president Derek Getty.
“We are very proud to be a part of this and make it our one big charity. Sure, it’s corporate responsibility, but for us it is way more than that.”
Access Pipeline is another large corporate entity whose presence is more than simply another donation.
“This is not about us simply being here to say we’ve been here, but putting our money where our mouth is,” said CEO Gord Kyle. “We don’t have any pipelines in the area, but this all about building relationships.”
Mosich added the tireless work of MLA Jeff Johnson is another large reason for the success of the event.
This year, Johnson was able to attract former premier Ed Stelmach and Health Minister Fred Horne along with a few other cabinet ministers.
Horne was especially intrigued with the operational model of Road to Hope and how unique it is.
“A lot of charities raise money for buildings and equipment and don’t always take into account the human factor. And if you don’t live there, you don’t see the full benefit or value,” said Horne.
“Access to transportation is the last thing a person going through treatment should have to worry about.
“I am going to be talking more to (Road to Hope) and seeing if we can grow this concept for different treatments, not just cancer. And, I also see a role for this in not just rural areas, but in the cities as well.”
