Foundation Golf Tournament raises $98,000 for District Students
September 6, 2023
130 golfers teed off for a good cause Aug. 30 at the Langley School District Foundation’s 16th annual fundraising golf tournament at Newlands Golf and Country Club.
The event brought together people from the School District community, volunteers and members of the local business community, all in support of the Foundation’s effort to raise funds for two of its most important priorities: student mental wellness and in-school food programming.
“Those two priorities are our greatest needs,” said Alicia Rempel, executive director of the Langley School District Foundation. “Fundraisers like this are so important, as we try to raise enough funds to support students and provide them with everything they need, in addition to what they already receive from the District and Ministry of Education and Child Care.”
Wednesday’s event included lunch, a putting contest followed by a best-ball style golf tournament that featured sponsors and vendors at every tee box – offering everything from food and beverage samples to fun games and prizes.
“These kinds of events are a lot of fun, and really bring the community together,” Rempel said. “I love that our sponsors and all the people who come out know that their donations are directly helping Langley students. And to us, that’s really important.”
After the final golfers sunk their last putts Wednesday, the event moved indoors for dinner and a silent and live auction, which raised even more money for the cause.
Prior to tee off, the tournament had already reached its fundraising goal of $66,000, through sponsorships and entry fees, and Rempel said any additional funds raised during Wednesday’s event – through the auction and other on-site opportunities – would put the total amount raised at “above and beyond” anything they had hoped for.
“We are proud to say, we were able to raise $98,000, far exceeding our expectations,” Rempel said. “It’s a big number, and when you think about how many students that can help, it’s pretty incredible.”
Rempel said the tournament is one of two big fundraising events for the Foundation, which the other being a spring gala. After being postponed during the pandemic, the gala is set to return in May 2024, Rempel said.
The Langley School District Foundation has four strategic priorities, Rempel noted: food programming and student mental wellness, and also literacy and student opportunities (including scholarships). The Foundation expects student mental wellness to become an even bigger priority in the years ahead – perhaps even requiring double the current financial commitment.
“The Foundation covers the costs of private, one-on-one counselling sessions for students who are unable to afford the fees,” Rempel explained. “From the number of requests we get right now, from counsellors and students, we think it will become our top priority and greatest need, which makes events like this one even more important.
To learn more about the Langley School District Foundation and all that it does, click here.
To see photos from this year’s event, check out the slideshow below: