Help send Easter Seals kids to camp through We Care Charity Golf Challenge

Cardinal e-vouchers are available, raising funds to help send Easter Seals kids to camp through We Care

Brent Morning, Chairman of the We Care Charity Golf Challenge. Miriam King photo

For the third year in a row, the annual We Care Charity Golf Challenge will go virtual again.

"The uncertainty of the pandemic has again forced us to adapt our event for this year," said Brent Morning, Chairman of the We Care Charity Golf Challenge.

Instead of an in-person affair, We Care invites the public to purchase an e-voucher for a round of golf at Cardinal Golf Club's East or West Wing during the 2022 golf season. The money raised from voucher sales will go back to We Care, an organization that has been around for over 35 years, helping to send children with disabilities to Easter Seals summer camps across Canada.

The Cardinal E-Vouchers will be valid anytime Monday to Friday and after 12 p.m. on weekends and holidays for the 9^th Annual Charity Golf Challenge.

There are only 152 rounds of golf available. Each voucher costs $100, which includes a power cart, taxes and a donation to We Care. Players who purchase E-vouchers by July 1 will be entered into a draw to win a foursome on Cardinal’s East Wing course.

So far, the event has raised a total of almost $90,000 since its inception nine years ago.

Greg Mandziuk, Manager, Fundraising and Special Events at We Care is confident the event will surpass the $100,000 mark this summer.

"We Care is excited and grateful to be part of the Charity Golf Challenge for the ninth season. With donations and golf round purchases already made so far this spring, it looks like it’s going to be a record-setting year," said Mandziuk. "It will be a very exciting summer for kids with disabilities who attend Easter Seals camps. After two years of virtual camps, in-person overnight camps are scheduled to return. They are a place where everyone can do everything. Sailing, sledge hockey, the rock climbing wall, there are no barriers. They are also life-changing. Campers go home with stronger life skills, more confident, and more mature."

Mandziuk says the charity's sole mission is to raise funds to send kids with disabilities to camp. The cost for a single day of camp is $250, with most sessions being 10 days in length.

"So far Brent’s event has funded 357 full days and thanks to him and his generous supporters, that number will increase significantly in 2022. Thanks to everyone who supports the Charity Golf Classic year after year and to Cardinal Golf Club for accommodating us," said Mandziuk.

Launching a charity golf challenge to raise funds for We Care is something Morning is passionate about after his own personal experience with the camp.

Morning has Cerebral palsy and spent 13 days at an Easter Seals camp back in the 1970s, which he said was a great experience.

"I'm so proud people support We Care and Easter Seals," he said.

He has also participated in the Skate for Easter Seals Kids at Maple Leaf Gardens, where he first met hockey great Bobby Orr. Over the years he has participated in numerous other charity fundraisers as well.

Biran Stemmle, four-time Canadian Olympian is a big supporter of the annual fundraiser.

"I'm happy to be involved again this year for We Care Charity Golf Challenge," he said. "I love playing golf because it's more difficult than skiing down a hill at 120km/h. The easy part is buying a voucher at Cardinal golf to help send Easter Seals kids to camp. The funds raised make a big difference and I know my friend Brent really appreciates your generosity. Give Cardinal a call and see you on the links!"

Purchase your Cardinal E-vouchers at www.charitygolfchallenge.ca.

Golfers must contact Cardinal’s pro shop to redeem their E-vouchers and book a tee time at (905)-841-7378.

If you would like to make an online donation to We Care, please click Donate to We Care at www.charitygolfchallenge.ca and select the campaign We Care Charity Golf Challenge. You will receive a tax receipt via email upon making your donation.

We Care Charity Golf Challenge is sponsored by: