Harriet O’Connor, executive director of Westminster Neighborhood Ministries, and Mark Buckingham, executive director of Hearts & Hands of Indiana were recipients of Meyer Najem’s 2014 Swing into Giving Golf Outing. (Submitted photo)

By Anna Skinner

On July 31, Meyer Najem’s 8th annual Swing into Giving Golf Charity will take place at the Eagle Creek golf course.

Currently, 296 players are participating to raise money for the Humane Society for Hamilton County.

Jennifer Arvin, director of marketing for Meyer Najem, said they hope to bring in more than $40,000.

“We’ve never done an animal-based not-for-profit for our fundraiser before, so this year we thought we would be different,” she said. “A lot of people in the philanthropy group are animal lovers.”

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness will be one of the honorary chairs at the event.

The other honorary chair? A dog named Gracie from the Humane Society.

Gracie was hit by a car, and when the previous owners didn’t take action, she became paralyzed in her back legs. She uses a cart to get around, and a video will be shown about her life.

“As a year-round supporter of the Humane Society for Hamilton County, this was our chance to give back to a group that does so much for our community.” Arvin said. “The lives they save and the lengths they go to give every animal their best chance at a second chance are incredible, and we wanted to help any way we could.”

A link to Gracie’s story is BeGraciesAngel.com

To learn more about the golf outing, visit http://bit.ly/1I07yM5.

Although player spots are full, Arvin is still looking for volunteers and sponsors. Anyone interested can call her at 577-0007.

The event will begin at 10 a.m., and the public is allowed to watch the golf outing at no charge. Any donations can be made to the Humane Society for Hamilton County, and can be brought to the organization at 1721 Pleasant St., Noblesville.