Kelly Greene knows golf outings have one benefit other fundraisers don’t’ have during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re really lucky that we’re able to still raise money with a golf outing because many fundraisers for any kind of nonprofit have been kicked to the curb, canceled or maybe pushed virtually,” said Greene, a WTHR-13 meteorologist. “I’m not sure how well the virtual ones are doing, to be able to do it safely and people feel comfortable doing it. It’s a huge benefit we’ll be able to do it.”
The American Legion Post 470 and ESA Eta Pi Charity Golf will be held Sept. 24 at Ironwood Golf Club in Fishers. The outing, dubbed “Fore the Kids,” supports St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Last year’s outing raised $19,500.
“We know we’re not going to come close to that,” said Greene, who is optimistic the fundraiser will still be successful.
Greene became one of the co-founders of the Eta Pi chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha when she moved to Fishers in 2011. She had previously been involved with ESA.
“It used to be a service sorority, but because volunteerism has dropped so drastically, we’ve opened it up to men, so it’s not a sorority anymore, it’s a service organization,” Greene said. “After we started it, shortly after we started the golf outing.”
St. Jude is the main philanthropic project of ESA internationally.
“We also do other fundraisers for the state of Indiana, Indiana Easter Seals, Anna’s House and Camp Riley,” Greene said.
Following the golf outing, there will be an awards dinner at the American Legion.
“One of the things is to help people become more aware of the American Legion (and) perhaps they will get some new membership,” Greene said. “That is one of our tie-ins with partnering up with them. American Legion helps us out immensely with getting golfers, which is the hardest thing we have is getting golfers. They help us with the vending part. We try to get alcoholic beverages donated, which I’m struggling with because of the shortage of beer. We’re still hoping some of our beer vendors will come through.”
The dinner has been a buffet in the past, but that format will change this year with safety protocols.
Registration is at 10 a.m. followed by a shotgun start at 11 a.m. Cost is $125 for individuals and $500 for foursomes. The fee includes a cart and lunch. There also will be hole and contest sponsorships.
For more, visit legion470andetapigolfouting.org.
