Golf Tournament Raises Over $30k to Benefit Needy Families
On September 20, Capitol Hill Group Ministry hosted its 8th annual charity golf tournament at Renditions Golf Course in Davidsonville, Maryland.
Even though there were prizes on each hole, such as 2 free flights to anywhere in the continental United States, the real winners were the underprivileged in Washington, DC. “We are here to raise funds to help those in need move out of homelessness and in to better conditions,” said Barfonce Baldwin, Executive Director of the Ministry. “The goal of the event is to not only raise funds for our missions in DC…but also to educate those who are playing today as to the needs of the people…”
The tournament has grown significantly since the first one eight years ago. This year alone, the tournament raised over $30,000 from players as well as local business donors such as Constellation Energy. “Over 80 percent of our golfers return to play again each year,” says Baldwin. Such dedication has made the tournament one of the largest fundraising activities CHGM runs each year.
Each year, CHGM helps over 3000 individuals, including 100 families who are in need in the Washington, DC area. Every dollar raised from the golf tournament will go to support that work. “I enjoy getting to work with the people every year,” says Rindy O’Brien, CHGM Board Chair. “Each year, we look forward to being able to get more people involved.
“O’Brien, who has been with CHGM since the beginning, has been excited and pleased with the growth of the organization. She described the expansion of the group and its activities as coming from just a couple of people who wanted to make a difference, to now, a large organization which has had to hire staff to complete its mission of helping those in need on a grander scale.
“The best part of this for me is being able to put my faith into action,” said Baldwin. “There is no greater joy than helping serve the underserved.” O’Brien also shares the same sentiment. Capitol Hill Group Ministry, which has been serving the community since 1967, describes itself as a coalition of congregations and concerned individuals. Its offices are now based not only on the Hill, but around the District because of expansion throughout the years. Their outreach programs include, but are not limited to a congregation-based shelter project, family and social services, and housing advocacy. They also provide crisis resources such as food programs and a shelter hotline in order to assure that the families in the greater Washington area are provided basic needs in order to maintain a healthy life.
The golf tournament is the largest of the fundraisers that CHGM holds each year. Other activities include donation drives as well as a party at Nationals Park. “We try to hold events which interest all of our members [in order to raise funds for those in need],” said O’Brien. With the success of the golf tournament, CHGM shows no sign of stopping its positive service to those who are in need in the Washington, DC community
