Birds chirping, sun shining, the smell of freshly cut grass… Nothing beats spending a summer morning on the golf course. Unless of course, that time golfing is also spent with friends and co-workers for an outstanding cause, such as the annual TDS Open Charity Golf Event.
This year, 133 TDS employees and company vendors competed in a 34-team, four-person scramble tournament at University Ridge Golf Course. Through participation in the tournament, on-course contests, and a raffle with amazing prizes like a 75-inch LG UHD 4k television and a $500 Sundara Spa gift card, the event generated $54,000 for the Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center.
Safe Harbor supports children who have been victims of abuse. They offer forensic interviews in a comfortable environment to allow professionals including child welfare workers and law-enforcement detectives, to listen to the victims and help create a plan to move past the issue. These interviews also allow children to have a voice in the court system. Another key resource the center offers is trauma treatment, which provides the children the chance to be kids, have fun, and begin the recovery process.
Brandon L., associate manager of Product Management, has been playing in the Open for the past eight years while also serving on the planning committee for the past seven. As fun as the event is every year, the cause itself is what matters most to Brandon.
“My favorite part [of the annual outing] is hearing from the charity on the amazing things they do, and awarding them the check,” said Brandon. “While I joined the committee because I love golf, I’ve stayed on it because I get to help pick out the charity. I know that the work we’re doing really helps people in our community.”
Since the TDS Open became a charity event, it has been a model example of the company’s long-held commitment to the community. Over the past nine years, the event has raised almost $350,000 to support various local charities.
Guest Blogger: Garrett Seymour
Pingback:External Stories – Garrett Seymour