By Kendall Patterson
Editor
After not having their annual golf tournament since 2019 due to the Coronavirus, Southwest Human Resource Agency rebounds with their largest tournament yet.
On April 20, 144 golfers and 36 teams participated in SWHRA’s 12th Annual Golf Tournament at the Chickasaw Golf Course to support the organization’s mission – “to meet the needs of families and individuals in our service area by delivering social services and resources. Through effective collaboration with federal, state and community partners, we are dedicated to enhancing quality of life, promoting self-sufficiency, and alleviating the effects of poverty.”
After all the calculations of all the funds were made, the total amount raised ended up being about $21,000 according to SWHRA Director Mike Smith.
“We’ve had more donations this year than we’ve ever had in the past,” said Nicki Hancock, SWHRA Golf Tournament Director. “The community has just really supported Southwest.”
The proceeds all will go toward “outreach opportunities designed to meet the needs of the most vulnerable communities in our eight county service area. The purpose is to provide a more holistic approach to meet the needs of these families where they are. This approach will encompass community engagement.”
Smith, who has been at SWHRA since the first golf tournament said that over the years of the event, community members and partners have always shown support and participation.
“We have really good community support and regional support from our partners and friends and it’s just a great event,” he said.
Hancock stated that it touches her how many people support SWHRA.
“Having so many people help the community by supporting SWHRA’s cause is wonderful” Hancock said.
“That’s what our job is, so to have people show up for us and give back it’s just a wonderful thing,” she said. “Every employee at Southwest, we get up every day to serve our community and it’s just great to see people show up and support us.”
Another person to come out to the tournament to advocate their cause is professional long driver Andrew “Thor” Herbert, who was a 2018 Volvik World Long Drive Championship Qualifier.
“I love what they do. It’s an incredible mission and we (Charity Golf International) love to be a part of it,” Herbert said.
This event that so many dedicate time, effort and resources to for the good of the community is SWHRA’s only fundraiser, with the other funds coming from state and federal grants, and Smith sees it as their showcase to what the organization is all about.
This is a way for us to kind of showcase who we are and in some cases we have been told that we’re best kept secret in the area. We do so many services; touch so many lives.
