It’s the most wonderful time of the year – the weather is getting warmer, flowers are blooming, and golf courses are getting greener!  Gifts of Love, a non-profit that helps feed individuals and families in 43 Connecticut towns after experiencing a financial crisis, is challenging golfers across the state to demonstrate their “chari-tee” spirit at the organization’s 4^th Annual Gifts of Love Golf Tournament on Monday, May 20, 2024 at the Golf Club of Avon in Avon, Connecticut.  The fundraising event has been the organization’s largest and most successful function to date.

“Although we had a mad dash of registrants and participants when we first announced the details of our spring golf tournament last month, activity has tapered off in recent days but unfortunately, food insecurity has only grown,” said Lisa Gray, Executive Director of Gifts of Love. “Simply stated, the more golfers, business sponsors, auction donors and volunteers that get involved, the more mouths we get to feed.”

Gray notes that there are currently 110 registered golfers registered and 24 secured sponsors, including American Eagle Financial Credit Union, Garrity Asphalt Reclaimers, Barry and Joan Kemler, and Stanley Black & Decker. Customized, affordable partnership opportunities are available for businesses and organizations and most include the opportunity to play the course.

The Gifts of Love 4^th Annual Golf Tournament is a fun day of golf for players of all levels, complete with coffee, lunch and access to the ****** Brewery Draft Beer Truck and the Litchfield Distillery carts.  Immediately following the competition, participants will have the opportunity to network, and enjoy dinner at the clubhouse, while bidding on amazing live auction and raffle prizes.

Thus far, prizes consist of golfing for 4 at the Golf Club of Avon, personal training gift certificates, Sip N Shop for 4 at Body Talk, paddling experiences from Collinsville Canoe & Kayak, luxurious overnight stay at Delamar in West Hartford, a $250 gift basket from Dom’s Coffee, massage treatments, oil changes, and Lego sets.  Gifts of Love is currently seeking donated items valued at $25.00 or more, and encourages folks to email [email protected] to help.

The Gifts of Love 4^th Annual Golf Tournament opens for registration at 10:30 a.m. and begins with shotgun start at 12 p.m.  To increase the competitive spirit, there will be various on-course contests and activities, including a putting contest, a longest drive contest, and a closest to the pin challenge. Prizes will be awarded to the winners of each contest during a special awards ceremony during dinner.

“Due to recent cuts in food assistance benefits combined with inflation, now more than ever, this event is critical for our mission,” adds Lisa Gray. “What may seem like the smallest level of involvement can make a big difference in our ability to serve our clients within both our Hartford and Avon offices.”

Registration for the tournament is now open at https://giftsoflovect.org/golf-tournament-2024/. The cost is $275 for an individual golfer and $1,000 for a foursome. For non-golfers who still want to participate, dinner including open bar is $75. Deadline for registration is Saturday, May 11, 2024. Contact [email protected] or call 860-676-2323 for more information.

About Gifts of Love

Gifts of Love, with offices in Hartford and Avon, responds to the needs of working individuals and their families who have been impacted by financial crisis by providing food, clothing, household necessities and self-sufficiency consultation. Most importantly, Gifts of Love provides a sense of hope to those in search of a better future. For over three decades, the organization has provided short-term programs and education that help working families attain financial independence. For more information visit https://giftsoflovect.org/.

PHOTO: Carol Sicilian of West Hartford and Linda Jainchill of Avon are both long-time volunteers and avid golfers who are participating in the 4^th Annual Gifts of Love Golf Tournament to benefit the non-profit organization that helps individuals and families return to self-sufficiency after a financial crisis.

Photo Credit: Gifts of Love