Gray skies were threatening over the Brassie Golf Course, but the spirits of those who had showed up, golf clubs in hand, could not be dampened at the 2nd Annual Chesterton-Duneland Kiwanis & Duneland Family YMCA Golf Outing.
Twelve foursomes – 96 players in total – gathered for a day of fun and fellowship, playing the links and watching as the clouds rolled by and the grass waved in the wind.
Kathryn Harris, Chesterton-Duneland Kiwanis Club chamber member tells Ideas In Motion Media that this is a cooperative fundraiser between the Duneland YMCA and the Kiwanis club.
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“For years, we did these as separate events, and we found that we were often competing against one another, so we decided last year to pool our resources, pool our efforts and bring our two organizations together for this fundraiser,” said Harris.
“We take all the funds raised and then split them, the monies going directly to the assistance of members of our community,” Harris told IIMM. “We’re just humbled by the turnout here today.”
Harris thanked event sponsors, including 1st Source Bank, Strack & Van Til, Professional Appraisal Services, Easton Park and others, and credits this cooperative effort with helping both groups to better help the community, providing scholarship money, and a community fund to serve children 5 years and under.
“It’s all about community,” said Jim Metros, municipal manager for Republic Services and former mayor of Crown Point. “Republic tries to be a good public citizen – we like to give back to the community whenever possible and that’s why we’re out here today.”
Jim Anton, vice president of Anton Insurance was also on hand to offer a few words.
“The goal here is to raise money to benefit children, that’s the whole reason for this. We’re having fun. The golf may not be our strong suit, but having fun is,” said Anton, who believes that the Duneland YMCA is at a turning point.
“Bob Capehart (retiring YMCA board president) has done a good job leading the board, and Rich Gardner takes over next year. We see good things happening over the next few years. We’re excited… we have a lot of really good things going on, you’ll just have to see.”
The outing saw the friendly foursomes taking to the greens for a high-spirited round of golf, followed immediately by lunch for participants, as well as a silent auction.
Dave Kasarda, Executive Director of Duneland YMCA was especially glad that the weather held off, with the raindrops beginning to fall just as the golfers were finishing up the round.
“It was a great day,” said Kasarda. “We had over 90 golfers and 40 hole sponsors. All the money raised will go to help the YMCA and the Kiwanis, and will help our organizations to continue to serve the community. This is a testament to the strength of our community, for all these people to come out here and show their support. These people aren’t singular in who they help – they help the whole community, and that’s what northwest Indiana is really all about.”