For the eighth year, Newmarket business owner Debbie Peever is participating in Golf 2 Remember, a fundraiser in support of people impacted by dementia.
“I was so surprised to hear that more than 500,000 Canadians alone are currently living with dementia. I really wanted to give back, and felt this is definitely one way I could help,” said Peever, the owner of Private Eyes Investigative Services.
Every year, Peever participates in the tournamen,t while her company sponsors the putting contest by giving away socks to everyone who participates. “They really love the socks,” she said with a laugh.
Ballantrae resident Jane Simard, Queensville resident Betsy Sumner and Toronto resident Tara Morse created Golf 2 Remember eight years ago as a way to help York Region and Toronto residents impacted by dementia. Proceeds from the Aug. 14 tournament are donated to the Alzheimer Society of York Region (AS York) and the Alzheimer Society of Toronto.
The trio decided to host a golf tournament as a way to give back to the community while supporting Simard, whose sister is living with the disease. Each of the women have been affected by the disease: Simard’s father died of Alzheimer’s and her husband’s father and brother are currently living with the disease; Sumner’s mom died of dementia; and Morse has friends living with the disease.
“If you haven’t been affected yet, you will be in the future,” Simard said.
Dementia has impacted Peever, too; her great uncle lived with Alzheimer’s disease and her brother and two uncles have various forms of dementia.
“The number of people in our area impacted by this disease is unbelievable,” Peever said. “By supporting the Alzheimer Society of York Region, we are helping people living with the disease, as well as their families and friends locally.”
Golf 2 Remember takes place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Silver Lakes Golf & Country Club, 21114 Yonge St. in East Gwillimbury. It costs $170 and includes a golfer lunch, 18 holes of golf with a cart, contests, dinner, prizes, raffles and a silent auction.
“From the organizers to the Silver Lakes golf course facility, this is hands-down the most well-run tournament I have been to to date,” said Peever, a world long drive golf competitor and Canadian champion, and World Powerlifting competitor.
“I look forward to this tournament every year…It is a really fun tournament with lots of opportunities for prizes at a large number of holes, which includes opportunities for the not so great golfers to win prizes as well. It also allows all golfers to participate and enjoy their day.”
Register at bit.ly/GolfRemember19. Sponsorships are also available. Visit bit.ly/GolfSponsorPkg to see or package or contact Lauren O’Brien at [email protected] for details.
Golf 2 Remember is “a perfect opportunity to help raise funds for a disease, which is on the rise but is easily forgotten as there are other diseases that are attracting more attention. Also, knowing that all the money raised goes directly to…a society close to home is amazing.”
— Contributed by Lisa Day, communications and fund development coordinator with the Alzheimer Society of York Region
