Friday, February 17, 2012

Professional Golf Tournament at Candler Hills Golf Club to Benefit Two Local Charities


Candler Hills Golf Club will be host to the 6th annual Ocala Open Golf Tournament on March 14-16, 2012. Candler Hills Golf Club is the prestigious golf course at On Top of the World Communities in Ocala, Florida. The three-day tournament will be played Wednesday through Friday with a guaranteed winner’s prize of $12,000. The Pro-Am is scheduled for Tuesday, March 13th and will feature local amateurs paired up with pros in a fun round of golf all for charity. Spectator admission to the professional tournament is free.

On Top of the World Communities has established an outstanding reputation for leadership and community service in the greater Ocala and Marion County area. The Ocala Open Golf Tournament will benefit local charities: Hospice of Marion County, Inc. and Interfaith Emergency Services. Hospice of Marion County, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide exemplary compassionate comfort care for the terminally ill and support services for the families/caregivers. Interfaith Emergency Services is a not-for-profit organization which brings together people of all faiths providing basic necessities such as food, shelter, clothing and emergency financial assistance to those in need right here in our community.

The 2011 Ocala Open was a great success as the two aforementioned charities split nearly $44,000 that was raised with generous sponsorships by local businesses who embraced and supported the event.

Live, real-time updates will be posted during the tournament on www.OcalaOpen.com and www.facebook.com/candlerhillsgolfclub.

For sponsorship opportunities and more information on the 2012 Ocala Open Golf Tournament, visit our website: www.OcalaOpen.com.

Message from Interfaith Emergency Services

The Ocala Open professional golf tournament has been such a blessing to the ministry of Interfaith Emergency Services. While the need in our community grows due to the struggling economy, donations are more difficult to come by so the proceeds that go to Interfaith from this tournament made a significant difference in our ability to continue our work this past year. The $22,000 that we received last year allowed us to provide shelter for many families and individuals throughout the year including the cost of housing multiple families, laundering their clothes, and providing the basic essentials needed for their hygiene. With the support provided by the Ocala Open, we were able to operate our 32-bed homeless shelter at capacity all year and never had to turn a family away because of lack of resources. The difference that it makes for families who have lost their housing is immeasurable. The shelter gives them a safe haven where they get can their financial affairs in order, obtain needed education or employment and get back on their feet without worrying about where they and their children will sleep each night or what they will eat. This wonderful event is one of the largest gifts received by Interfaith during the year and has a huge impact on our ability to help the ever-growing number of people in need of shelter. We are so thankful to the Ocala Open and On Top of the World Communities for their support and for caring about those less fortunate in our community.

Karla Grimsley

Executive Director

Message from Hospice of Marion County

Hospice of Marion County has served our community since 1983. Once an all-volunteer agency, it is now the only not-for-profit hospice in the county with a staff of 250 professionals and 650 volunteers, whose mission is offering compassionate comfort care for those with advancing illness.

Over the past two years, the Ocala Open Pro-Am tournament at Candler Hills Golf Club provided $41,032.66 – that’s 228 days of patient care. This substantial gift supplements our ability to offer the same care to all our patients, regardless of their ability to pay. Each year, Hospice of Marion County provides nearly $1,000,000 in charity care.

Hospice is available for anyone with a prognosis of about six months. Patients often find that their quality of life improves and their caregivers receive much-needed support, enabling them to regain many enjoyable activities. Services are available in homes, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, hospitals or at one of four hospice houses, such as the Legacy House, just off Hwy 200W.

An interdisciplinary team cares for patients and their families with expert end-of-life medical care, counseling, chaplaincy, social services, respite for caregivers and bereavement services for up to 13 months—all covered by Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance. How is all this possible? It is through the generous support of community partners and philanthropic individuals that help us continuously follow through on our mission.

Lisa Varner

Community Outreach Coordinator

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