By Dave Jolivet
LAKEVILLE — It’s a life dynamic. There are days when people are active, outdoors and living life to it’s fullest. There also comes a time when, for many, such days become part of their past, often needing the assistance of a health care facility.
In the Diocese of Fall River there’s been a tradition, more than a decade old, where those living life to the fullest use that gift to help those who are in need of some type of physical, mental or spiritual assistance. But like many events over the past few years, that tradition was forced to take a hiatus.
The annual Diocesan Health Facilities Golf Classic, which has raised thousands of dollars over a dozen events, was forced to cease operations during the pandemic. This year, the classic is back, being held at the LeBaron Hills Country Club in Lakeville on August 22, with the proceeds benefiting the five skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers sponsored by the Diocese of Fall River: Catholic Memorial Home in Fall River, Madonna Manor in North Attleborough, Marian Manor in Taunton, Our Lady’s Haven in Fairhaven, and Sacred Heart Home in New Bedford.
“We are so very glad to be back,” Lisa Ferreira, Director of Purchasing for DHFO, told The Anchor. “Our 13th event would have been held in 2020, but due to COVID we had to postpone. So we are glad to be getting back on track with the event which hasn’t been held since our last one in 2019.
“We’re looking forward to a great event to raise monies for our residents in our nursing homes. This is the largest fundraising event health facilities offers and we’re excited to be able to bring it back.”
In a letter to families and friends of the Diocesan Health Facilities, Chief Executive Officer Joanne Roque said, “Your participation and donations help support many projects, such as new programs and renovations that are enjoyed by our residents and their loved ones.”
The August 21 event at LeBaron Hills Country Club will begin at 10:30 a.m., rain or shine, with registration and lunch, and a shot-gun start at noon. It’s a “Florida Style Scramble” tourney, meaning all members of the foursome tee off. After the best tee shot is selected that member sits out and the others play the ball, three members play until the ball is holed, with the golfer with the best shot sitting out the next.
In addition to the monies raised from the foursomes, sponsors and vendors also donate funds and some offer prizes for the raffles, best shot prizes, etc.
Roque encourages people to become a part of this event, saying, “Each tax-deductible contribution to our Golf Classic will benefit more than 700 hundred residents from communities throughout Southeastern Massachusetts.”
“We’ve been very successful in the past,” said Ferreira, “and we hope that tradition continues.”
With many semblances of normalcy returning to everyday life, the time is right for those who can live life to the fullest to enjoy a day outdoors on the links and help those whose lives have changed through the years in one form or another.
The sponsors and vendors already taking part at press time are: DEG Associates, Partners Pharmacy, Symbria, STAT Ambulance, TridentCare, A&T Plumbing, Geriatric Medical, Attorney Jane Sullivan, Ecolab, Gay & Gay P.C., Maunel S. Mello Contracting, Medi Weight Loss, Norel Service Co., Por Shun Dairy, SDX Dypahgia Experts, St. Anne’s Credit Union, BayCoast Bank, Coogan Smith LLP, Fire Systems, Boston Textile Co., Germain Plumbing and Heating, L & G Graphics, Livingston and Haynes, Morgan and Stanley/Denise Robers, and Norton and Associates.
For additional information on the various levels of sponsorships, or to register to participate in the classic call the Diocesan Health Facilities Office at 508-679-8154 or email Debra Medeiros DebraM@dhfo.org for more details.
