It was a mild day, typical for the end of summer, at the United Way of La Porte County's10th Annual Golf Outing. This sold out event is one of the larger fundraisers for the United Way and it is always a good time for all involved.
They day started with a great lunch provided by the very talented kitchen staff of the Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa. Players loaded up on summer staples like: fried chicken, hamburgers, fresh fruit, cole slaw, potato salad, a litany of desserts, and cold beverages. 144 golfers sat and fueled up for the impending scramble game and other fun things that awaited them.
"We have all sorts of things going on," Jack Elia, Assistant General Manager at the Blue Chip Casino, said. "We sold out this event six weeks ago and it's all about raising money for the United Way. The United Way is the charitable organization of choice for Boyd Gaming. Sam Boyd, many years ago, made the decision that he wanted to be involved with the United Way and his son, Bill Boyd, who has now taken over the company, is carrying on that decision. Throughout our 22 properties, the United Way is the one that we all donate to."
The United Way is dedicated to improving the lives of people in La Porte County by harnessing the caring and giving natures of the communities. They are exclusively organized for educational and charitable services, and golf outings and other fundraising events help to ensure the longevity of the United Way's mission.
"This is my third golf outing and I'm excited to be here," Kris Pate, Executive Director for the United Way of La Porte County said. "The money that we raise support our partner agencies in La Porte County in a wide variety of social services. When you sponsor the United Way you get a chance to reach out and help our other agencies so that means the Red Cross, the Boys and Girls Club of Michigan City, Dunebrook, Harmony House, and so many more of our great partners."
After the meal was finished, everyone made their way outside to their designated golf carts. One of the notable teams (sponsored by Budweiser) for the scramble was four military veterans, one representing each branch.
There were prizes available for: go for the eagle, fire drill, longest drive (men's and Women's), closest to the pin (men's and women's), drive closest to the line, use the pro's drive, and ball on green - $10 prize. There were also 50/50 raffles and silent auction items. There was no way that any of the golfers would go home without some sort of prize.
Tonn and Blank Construction LLC, the Title Sponsor for the golf outing, is a general contracting business owned by Franciscan Alliance. Located in Michigan City, they make sure to get involved with lots of different charitable organizations whether it's a building project or a generous donation.
"We believe that this golf outing is a great thing to sponsor because the United Way contributes and helps so many and it's a wonderful organization," Joe Coar, Vice President Of Operations with Tonn and Blank Construction LLC, said.
Another of the many sponsors was Sauers Ford-Lincoln. Kim Sauers, Owner of Sauers Automotive (which includes Sauers Ford-Lincoln in Michigan City as well as Sauers Buick GMC in La Porte) is very active in his communities and believes wholeheartedly in the mission of the United Way.
"The United Way has always been supportive of all of the nonprofits in our communities so that they don't have to spend all of their resources and so we wanted to support them," Sauers said.
Click here to view more photos from the golf outing!
Sponsors for the event: Sauers Ford Lincoln, Tonn and Blank Construction, Indiana Beverage, Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa, Sullair, Indiana Wholesale Wine & Liquors, Inc., Southern Wine &Spirits of America, Inc., Dillon Transport, Inc., NIPSCO, Al's Supermarket, National Wine & Spirits, Inc., US. Foods, IU Health La Porte Hospital, Budweiser, Bit of Swiss, Horizon Bank, Pepsi, Stanz, Fiberbond, Midwest Foods, Beaver Street Fisheries, Inc., Servpro, GLEDC, Gurley Leep, Franciscan St. Anthony Health Michigan City, Lewis Bakery, Cintas, Top Dog, Dwyer