Boys & Girls Club seeks support for golf ball drop

Published 5:16 pm Tuesday, August 16, 2022

The Boys & Girls Club of Elizabethton/Carter County is planning an exciting golf ball drop from a helicopter this fall and is asking the community to help make the event happen.

Supporters have at least two chances this weekend to buy golf balls for the event. Club CEO Shelly Parham said she would be at the Fighting Cyclones game vs. Science Hill in Elizabethton on Friday night  and she invited everyone to stop by and purchase as many golf balls as they’d like. “It’s FORE the kids and the youth who need us to CHIP in the most,” said Parham about the first-time event.

On Saturday night, Charlene Ray, director of Resource and Development for the club, will be at the BBQ Rhythm and Brews at the Covered Bridge.

“Anyone can purchase a golf ball,” said Ray. “You don’t have to be present on the day of the tournament or play golf to win.”

Golf balls are $20 each. First prize is $2,500; second prize is $1,000, and third prize wins $500. The ball falling closest to the flag wins.

Golf balls will also be available for purchase online at www.bgcecc.org/golf-classic/ or just find a staff member with the club around town selling golf balls at local events.

The Boys & Girls Club staff will also be at the Covered Bridge Days Sept. 23-25.

Money raised from the golf ball drop will support after school programs, teen safety, anti-substance use programs, career launch, college tours and independent life skills.

“Every day, kids come into our club to get homework help,” Parham and Ray said. “This summer, 94 percent of youth who participated in our intense reading program, who were below grade level, ended the summer at or above their grade level. One hundred percent of our staff are CPR and First Aid certified. They are also certified in trauma informed care, which helps with our new sensory room.”

The helicopter golf ball drop is set for Oct. 14 at the Elizabethton Golf Course.

Using fun, engaging and relationship-driven programs peppered with structure and expectations for children, the club values supportive relationships to make its programs work.

The club provides after school, summer and athletic programs in the community to help enable young people realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. To do this, the club offers fun and engaging programming with three priority outcomes: academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles.