Top row from left to right – Kevin Andrews, Matt Dunigan, Keith Costello, Kevin Smellie, Dan Ferrone
Bottom row from left to right – Dan Cooper, Brenden (Little Brother), Tim Scrinns (Grown-Up Little), Bill Demytruk (Big Brother)
I enjoy a good round of golf and when I can combine my passion for the game with a great community fundraiser, well, that’s just a perfect day. I had the pleasure of doing just that last month with the Oakville Community Foundation’s Marathon of Golf and the Dan Cooper Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton.
Both these events raised thousands of desperately needed dollars to support the tremendous work they are doing in the community.
Despite inclement weather, 35 golfers came out to the OCF tournament, played 100 holes and raised over $188,000, which was $10,000 over the 2010 total. This money goes toward supporting the Foundation’s community initiatives. OCF plays a critical role as a conduit – matching necessity with resources, challenges with opportunities. Support from the Marathon of Golf annual fundraiser will allow the OCF to develop two new community initiatives in response to identified community needs: Poverty and Community Engagement and Awareness.
In its 12-year history, the Marathon has raised close to $2 million. That’s an incredible accomplishment and speaks volumes about the caring and giving community in which we live. It’s the kind of community I am proud to call my home.
I am also immensely proud to have been host to the second annual Dan Cooper Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament at Glen Abbey on May 19th in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton. Grassroots charities such as the BBBSH are preventative in focus, helping children in the early stages by providing mentorship that has a positive impact that lasts a lifetime with these kids of all ages. Our young people are our future leaders and it is critical that we provide all the support we can to ensure they develop into good citizens, business people and community leaders.
The person I need to acknowledge as the driving force and tireless organizer for this tournament is Jules Graham-Hood, who, as the Executive Director of BBBSH, was not only behind this event 100 percent, but did an absolutely brilliant job in helping to bring celebrities and sponsors together to make this fundraiser an outstanding success. Putting together a professional and successful golf tournament is no easy task, and Jules’ energy and connections were instrumental in creating one of the best local fundraising events of the season.
“Give where you live” is a slogan adopted by many charitable organizations across North America, but it really does sum up my own personal philanthropic objectives and the approach of The Dan Cooper Team when it comes to donations and giving back to the community
Organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton, Oakville Community Foundation, United Way, Salvation Army and a host of other charitable bodies help to build a strong community and a brighter future for all our citizens. I encourage you to get involved in your community – with your time, your money or both.
Dan Cooper is an award-winning broker with Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage – the Number 1 Royal LePage Team for Canada in 2009. He can be reached at 905.338.3737, direct line at 905.849.3303 or through his innovative and interactive website at DanCooper.com. Be sure to catch the Dan Cooper Real Estate Series on DailyWebTV.com. For his free booklet How To Sell Your House For Top Dollar – Fast! or his Guide to Oakville Real Estate, please call The Dan Cooper Team.
