My Melanie Jacob
Journal Staff Writer
[email protected]
For the second year in a row, the Support Our Troops golf event was once again held at the Humboldt Golf Course.
"It's a fun golf town and it's a chance for people to come out and support our military and their families," said Sherry Hogemann, one of the organizers of the event. "Years ago, there weren't any family resource centers on bases."
Every year, Hogemann and her husband host a golf event to help raise funds for the Central Saskatchewan Military Family Resource Centre Inc. (CSMFRC). When they first began, they were holding it at the LeRoy Leisure Land golf course, but soon moved to Humboldt.
"The number of people have varied from year to year," said Hogemann. "This year we had 63, but we would've had 75 if it wasn't for the weather. One year we had 80 people come out."
While many of the people who come are military, the Hogemanns also welcomed one other special guest this year.
"We were very pleased to have Member of Parliament Kelly Block attend this year's event," she said.
This charity golf was first started in 2010 when the Hogemann's son was deployed to Afghanistan as a tank driver. Worrying for him and the support he would need, they decided to get involved by putting on this golf event to raise money for the CSMFRC.
The first event was held on Red Friday, but they found that Friday wasn't viable due to people's work schedules and thus moved it to Saturday. After that, the event became an annual experience.
"The money helps develop programs for families and helps reunite troops with their families," said Hogemann.
Of the money raised at the event on June 21, approximately $8,900 is going to the resource centre. Another $2,500 is going to The Royal Canadian Legion, which assisted with the event for the first time.
"This year we decided we wanted to also invite the Legion," said Hogemann. "We asked if there was any place where they gave stuff for veterans and they said yes."
Hogemann was then encouraged to contact WestJet as they are often donating to different charities for the troops. Thus, part of the proceeds came from raffling airplane tickets donated by WestJet.
All of the money raised from this annual golf event stays in the province, including the money for the resource centre.
