(Guelph and Ottawa, ON – September 8, 2023) The results are in from the two golf tournaments and silent auction held in May and June 2023 by the 4-H Ontario Foundation to raise funds for the ongoing support of 4-H Ontario.
“We are pleased to announce that through our two golf tournaments and silent auction, the Foundation has raised $84,595.37,” says Naomi Lutes, 4-H Foundation Board Chair. These funds have been invested into the 4-H Ontario Foundation endowment fund. The 4-H Foundation manages this endowment fund and other investment funds to ensure long-term growth and are used to support the ongoing success of 4-H Ontario and its youth programs.
Under sunny skies at the Victoria Park East Golf Course in Guelph on May 25, 158 golfers enjoyed lunch, bid on silent auction items and then followed that with an enjoyable afternoon of golf.
Although the Ottawa event was somewhat threatened by smoke from the Quebec wildfires and a few showers, the event carried on as usual in early June, with 112 of golfers enjoying the day under the watchful eyes of 4-H staff, who monitored the air quality situation and the well-being of the golfers throughout the day.
Naomi continues: “On behalf of the entire Board of Trustees of the Foundation, I am thrilled with the success of our 2023 golf tournaments. Our annual golf tournaments are a highlight of our year – we are able to raise money in support of the long-term sustainability of the 4-H program while at the same time sharing a day of fun and friendship with 4-H volunteers, alumni, and supporters.”
“This year we were particularly pleased to welcome the Hon. Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs for Ontario, to our Guelph tournament for a special announcement. Alongside her federal colleague Rechie Valdez, Mississauga—Streetsville MP, Minister Thompson (herself a past Chair of the Foundation) announced an investment of $2.3 million in 4-H Ontario, noted Naomi. “We are already planning for our 2024 tournaments and look forward to seeing familiar faces next year.”
Laurie Farquharson, 4-H Ontario Council Board president, says, “We are grateful for the funds raised through the golf tournament and silent auction by the Foundation. The Foundation’s endowment fund and their annual contribution to 4-H Ontario help us ensure that we can continue to help our youth participants continue to “learn to do by doing” through their local associations.”
4-H Director of Philanthropy Karyn Racher adds: “We are always so grateful to all the 4-H Ontario sponsors and partners for participating in our annual golf tournament. From all the companies that put in foursomes, and those who donated items to the silent auction – thank you! As well this year, we want to send a big thank you to the local 4-H associations that donated gift baskets and items to the silent auction, as well as attending the event.”
Since being founded in 1995, the goal of the Foundation has been simple – to acquire and invest funds through endowments and donations for the long-term benefit of the 4-H Programs in Ontario. At the end of 2022, funds managed by the Foundation totaled nearly $3.1 million. Regular charitable donations to the Foundation are welcomed and can also be made through the 4-H Ontario website.
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For more information:
Patty Lasby
plasby@genex.coop
519-835-3982
Golf Tournament Committee Chair