‘Birdies for Babies’ raises more than $23,000
Golfers from throughout Central Oregon scored hundreds of birdies to help raise over $23,000 for MountainStar Family Relief Nursery’s Birdies 4 Babies TM program, an annual grassroots golfing fundraiser.
Completing its eighth season, Birdies 4 Babies TM is truly a community-inspired event carried out by local golfers, which has generated more than $143,000 since its inception. All proceeds support MountainStar’s child abuse and neglect prevention programs that serve at-risk families with babies and toddlers throughout Deschutes County.
This year’s participants are proud to have exceeded the 2012 season campaign goal. The Birdies 4 Babies TM season-long program welcomed golfers of all abilities – from beginners to professionals, to collect money for birdies (one under PAR) and for other great golf shots made during the golf season.
Members at several local golf clubs participated – including Crosswater Club, Widgi Creek, Bend Golf and Country Club, Broken Top Club, and Juniper Golf Club – and some went all out with new, creative ideas to help raise money for MountainStar.
Among the major birdie makers this year were golfers and pros from Crosswater Club and Widgi Creek.
At Crosswater, members contributed money for scoring birdies, accepted donations throughout the golfing season, and braved cold weather for a fantastic end-of-season tournament, BBQ and raffle.
Widgi Creek members added a fantastic wine raffle to their campaign, in addition to chipping in money for birdies, selling golf balls, and contributing generously.
To help Widgi Creek in its success, Melinda Bailey, a founder of the Birdies 4 Babies TM program and a past classroom volunteer for MountainStar, collected thousands of abandoned golf balls at Widgi Creek Golf Club and sold them for cash donations for MountainStar.
Campaign proceeds also included a very generous sponsorship of $2,500 from the Bank of the Cascades, as well as contributions of raffle and auction items from the following Sunriver businesses: Village Bar and Grill, Caf Sintra, Blondie’s Pizza, Dunn Up Salon, Flowers @ Sunriver Village, Sage Spring Club & Spa, Nails by Vanessa, West Coast Event Productions, and Drake Painting.
Awbrey Glenn, Bend Country Club and Broken Top Clubs also contributed wonderful auction items.
“We are overwhelmed by the generosity and outpouring of support for this fun annual campaign. It truly reflects the generous and caring spirit of Central Oregon residents,” says Tim Rusk, Executive Director of MountainStar.
“2012 has been a tough year for fund raising and Birdies 4 Babies TM has not only helped to bring in critical dollars to support our program, but has created much needed public awareness about the issues facing babies, toddlers and their families who desperately need the crisis and therapeutic services we provide,” added Tim.
To learn more about B4B, contact MountainStar at 541-322-6820 or visit B4B on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/MountainStar-Birdies-4-Babies-Golfing-Fundraiser/82956695686
