Scottsdale golf courses and golfers are generous – that much we already know. Arizona golf communities pulled together to show underserved kids in the Valley just how much. On June 5, 2016, golfers participating in the MentorKids USA Golf Marathon raised $50,450 in support of summer enrichment and after school programs positively affecting 175 Phoenix kids.
The 2016 Golf Marathon featured 20 golfers who set out to complete 100 holes of golf and raise $2,500 each. The golfers raised funds by seeking sponsors for each hole the golfer played. Sponsors could choose to donate anywhere from $1 to $10 per hole. Together, the golfers pulled in the $50,450 – $1,500 more than in 2015.
With help from sponsors like Gainey Ranch Golf Club and the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale, ALL of the event’s costs were underwritten, putting ALL of the funds raised directly into MentorKids and the community’s youth.
MentorKids was founded to create the right environment and provide support for disconnected youth so that they can develop their full potential. At 17%, Phoenix has one of the highest rates of disconnected youth in the country. The organization has developed many approaches to meet this goal, such as individual mentoring, group mentoring, after school programs, summer enrichment programs, gardening, athletics and even parenting workshops.
To inspire the most change, the organization now focuses on what it calls “Promise Neighborhoods,” or neighborhoods in high-risk areas. MentorKids takes a three-prong approach to spur the transformation, working with the youth, their families and the community.
According to MentorKids Executive Director Aaron Parrott, the Phoenix area kids who are served by MentorKids can lose up to 30% of their reading skills over the summer. Through the MentorKids summer enrichment programs, partially funded by the Golf Marathon, 97% of kids in the program maintain or improve their reading over the summer months.
Although the time to sponsor a golfer has passed, you can still donate to MentorKids and help the kids in our community stay sharp all summer. And it’s never too early to hit the Scottsdale golf courses in preparation for playing 100 holes in the 2017 marathon! We’re proud to work with Arizona and Scottsdale golf communities like Gainey Ranch that help support worthy community causes!
Don Matheson
Realtor | Founder
The Matheson Team – RE/MAX Fine Properties
21000 N. Pima Rd., #100, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
480-405-4228
[email protected]
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