DawsonTimes.com

Society of St. Vincent de Paul and Catholic Charities will host the second annual Tee Off for Hope on Monday, June 1, 2009 at the Achasta Golf and Country Club in Dahlonega.

This amazing golf course is set by Linger Longer Communities, the creator of Reynolds Plantation and Reynolds Landing—award-winning communities on Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Georgia. The course offers players 18 holes on a 6,995-yard, par-72 Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, and proceeds from the event will raise critically needed funds to help people in need throughout North and Middle Georgia.

The Tournament schedule is as follows:
9:00 AM – Registration and Breakfast Snack
10:00 AM – Shot Gun Start
3:00 PM – Achasta BBQ Lunch and Live Auction

“This year’s Golf Tournament and our other fundraising efforts are extremely important to our ability to meet the growing needs within our community,” says John Berry, Executive Director. “With the uncertain economic climate and unemployment rising, we’re seeing a change in the face of people in need. No longer are the faces of those in need one of an anonymous stranger: increasingly we are realizing that the people who need help can be our own family, friends, and neighbors.”

Specifically, the Golf Tournament will raise money to continue the collaborative efforts between both charities to provide educational services and training to those struggling with poverty, language and cultural barriers, mental health and other challenges.

For more than 100 years, people in need throughout North and Georgia have turned to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and Catholic Charities for help. The two organizations are said to be among the nation's most effective and fiscally responsible charities – almost 90% of funds received go directly to programs and services.

Participants in Tee Off for Hope will complete for top golfer prizes, door prizes and raffle items.  The tournament offers an opportunity to reward employees and entertain clients and special guests, according to organizers.

Registration is limited to 36 foursomes.  Only 17 team opportunities remain.  The event will be a fun filled, prize loaded day on the gorgeous links at the Achasta Golf Course in Dahlonega. In addition to door prizes, the fundraiser will include on-course skill competitions, live auctions and even a shot at a one million dollar hole-in-one.

To register and get a complete listing of Tournament information, and for a complete listing of door prizes, skill prizes and live auction items, contact jsebastian@svdpatl.org or call (770) 576.4077.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Atlanta provides financial, material, educational and spiritual support to those in need, regardless of background or faith, and collaborates with other organizations to empower people to achieve self-sufficiency. The charity is part of an international organization founded in Paris, France in 1833 that is a renowned advocate for poverty outreach throughout the world. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul has operated in Middle and North Georgia since 1903, with volunteers from 70 local conferences comprising the Atlanta Societies.  In 2008, the Society served approximately 126,000 people throughout Middle and North Georgia, delivered $5.1 million in direct financial aid. It currently operates 10 thrift stores, 33 food pantries, and a variety of programs and services. Committed to stewardship, more than 94% of all donations received by the Society go directly to client services.

Catholic Charities is the social service agency of the Archdiocese of Atlanta and partners with the community to help people facing adversity to reach wholeness and self sufficiency, regardless of their background or religion. Catholic Charities has delivered help and hope to over one million poor and needy since 1953. The agency is among the state’s well-known, professional, accredited providers of services to families in crisis, support for pregnant women, assistance and education to immigrants and refugees. Last year, Catholic Charities answered more than 35,000 calls and was able to directly assist 9,000 families.