United Way Tees Up Golf Event to Support Struggling Fairfield County Residents

Eager for fresh air and open spaces? Miss the game of golf—with all its glories and frustrations? Now you can enjoy an early-season round while helping your neighbors at the same time.

Join the first annual United We Golf Tournament, hosted by United Way of Coastal Fairfield County on May 17 at Tashua Knolls Golf Course in Trumbull.  

Proceeds will benefit United Way’s Rebuilding Stronger fund, which helps Fairfield County neighbors recover from the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic.  Currently, at least one out of 6 neighbors in every town is struggling to make ends meet.

Event co-chairs and United Way Board members Steve Vavrek and Christina Bodine-Aysseh explained, “This is ONE golf tournament you don’t want to miss.  There will be good food, good friends and good (socially–distanced) fun for a good cause.”

Foursomes will compete in a scramble for the United Cup, with scoring using handicaps. The entry fee of $200 covers 18-hole tournament play, cart, contests, prizes, swag, and awesome catered food. The Tashua Knolls course features 27 holes built on rolling, picturesque farmland sure to inspire both casual and accomplished golfers alike. 

To make the competition more interesting, teams can purchase challenges for their opponents, like requiring them to drive from the blue tee or to putt one hole while wearing oven mitts.  And teams can gain advantages for themselves, like buying their way forward within a hole’s tee box.  

According to United Way CEO Jeff Kimball, “The fun is all for a serious cause:  helping our neighbors who are struggling to make ends meet during this difficult time.” 

Last year, calls to United Way’s 2-1-1 helpline from Fairfield County increased by 70%. Requests for food tripled; calls for rental assistance nearly doubled.  Added Kimball, “People who never needed out help before need it now.”  

To help struggling neighbors during the pandemic, United Way has made investments in every one of the 12 towns it serves.  The non-profit provided grants for basics needs, freshly-made lunches to hungry neighbors, direct help to families via electronic gift cards, thousands of pieces of protective gear for frontline workers, and even virtual tutoring and camps for remote learners.

Funds raised by the United We Golf tournament will help continue the support for Fairfield County neighbors financially impacted by the Covid-19 fallout. 

Kimball reflected, “Throughout the pandemic, our United Way worked innovatively and tirelessly to ease the burden shouldered by our neighbors.  Together with our partners and generous donors, we will overcome this crisis and build more equitable and resilient communities — where all our neighbors have the opportunity to thrive.”

For more info on the tournament, or to learn how you can make a difference in the lives of struggling Fairfield County neighbors, contact CEO Jeff Kimball (jkimball@unitedwaycfc.org) or Development Director Faith Douglass (fdouglass@unitedwaycfc.org). 

To register for play, visit:  www.unitedwegolf/splashthat.com.  Or join as a sponsor for additional benefits.  The entry fee is 80% tax deductible.

UWCFC serves the towns of Bridgeport, Darien, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stratford, Trumbull, Weston, Westport, and Wilton. Find out more at: https://unitedwaycfc.org/

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Submitted by Norwalk, CT

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