Gord Brown golf tournament raises over $150k for United Way, YMCA
Earlier this month, the Gord Brown Memorial Golf Tournament was held in support of the United Way Leeds & Grenville and the YMCA of Eastern Ontario. The event raised $186,367, including funds raised from live and silent auctions.
According to a joint release from the YMCA and the United Way, this year’s event “demonstrated the generosity of people in our region.”
“We are so pleased to be able to support the great work of the late MP Gord Brown and his family by raising money for the community,” said Trish Buote, Executive Director of United Way Leeds & Grenville. “Gord really set a standard of care and we are thankful for the Brown family’s trust in us to utilize the funds to help sustain important local programs and services for those who most need them. Finally, we were delighted to collaborate with the YMCA of Eastern Ontario on the event, and welcome back so many volunteers, sponsors and golfers who truly care about our communities.”
Darryl Sittler, NHL Hockey Hall of Fame member and Brown’s “favourite professional hockey player,” and Rick Vaive, the first Toronto Maple Leaf to score 50 goals in a season, were big hits with the crowd at Smugglers Glen, signing memorabilia and being available for lots of selfies, according to the release.
“Darryl and Rick added to people’s enjoyment of the day and their participation helped to raise money for the Y’s financial assistance program,” said Rob Adams, CEO of YMCA of Eastern Ontario. “The YMCA of Eastern Ontario is so pleased to have strengthened our partnership with United Way Leeds & Grenville, and on behalf of our two organizations I wish to thank all of the amazing staff and volunteers who made the event a reality. A very special thanks goes to the Brown Family for entrusting the YMCA as a new partnering organizer of the tournament that continues to carry on the legacy of Gord and his charitable efforts.”
The United Way and YMCA wish to thank all the sponsors of the Gord Brown Memorial Golf Tournament, whose support was invaluable to the success of the event.