Over 110 golfers, 25 volunteers, and over 60 sponsors and vendors participate in the North Suburban YMCA’s fourth annual Community Strong Golf Fundraiser at Chevy Chase Country Club in Wheeling on July 18.
According to a news release, the golf fundraiser raises over $58,000 which helps close the gap in the over $500,000 needed every year to support their financial assistance program for families that come to the Y for little to no cost.
The golf event and fundraiser is the second phase of the Y’s Community Strong Fundraising events of 2024, the release said. The Y’s Community Strong Dinner and Casino night held in April at Loft 21 was the first phase of their efforts.
All funds raised at these two events go directly to the financial assistance scholarships and support its operations and community programs. The Community Strong effort raises about half of the funds needed to support the charitable work of the North Suburban YMCA every year, the release said.
“We are thrilled with the results of this year’s golf fundraiser,” Kathy Fielding, CEO of the North Suburban YMCA, said in the release. “Having so many people support this event is humbling and it shows us that they not only want to support our efforts but truly love our golf outing, an event that seems to get better and better every year, making us very proud’”
Following a day out on the course, a closing reception and patio party were held to celebrate the outcome of the fundraising event and recognize the tournament winners, according to the release. This year, the top trophy and prizes went to two golf foursomes who tied at the end of the 18-hole tournament. Team Silverman; Jamie Silverman, David Rogers, Andy Laughlin, and Miguel Dania, and Team
Schultz; Howard Schultz, Kevin Braude, Chase Noonan, and Shawn Gordan shared the covenant trophy.
The release said a favorite of the competitions is the best-dressed team where Team Silverman won for the second year in a row. The best-dressed foursome winners were Jamie Silverman, David Rogers, Andy Laughlin, and Miguel Dania who came to the event dressed in matching bright yellow pants, plaid shirts, and bright yellow sunglasses. The Best Dressed Single golfer went to Gary Rubin, a Northbrook resident and member of the YMCA.
New this year was Best Decorated Golf Cart where the winners went all out in pink Barbie-themed attire with carts decorated in pink cardboard and signage, the release said. Winners were Northbrook residents Jenna Dickson, Abbie Lyman, Andrea Denes, Molly Brown, and Julie Hochschild. Many golfers participated in the fun with honorable mentions going to Team Rush dressed as “The Masters Caddies” and Team Chabebe from Rover’s Place dressed in personalized golf shirts with pictures of their pet dogs.
“The energy this year was fantastic and everyone really got into the spirit that day,” said Kim Nyren, Director of Community Investments and Events. “The outpouring of support exceeded last year with over 60 sponsors,” continued Nyren. “Events like this are not possible without the support of local businesses and we are very lucky to be in a community that cares about what we do for families and the underserved.”