Everything aligned perfectly for the Fourth Annual Fairways for Families tournament June 14 at Squaw Creek Golf Course in Willow Park. Perfect weather, generous sponsorships, and the largest turnout for the only fundraiser Gathering Hope conducts helped make the event a success.
Regional celebrities participated in the event with former radio commentator and newspaper sports columnists Randy Galloway and former Aledo Bearcat head football coach Tim Buchanan joining The Community News golf team.
Co-Director Betsy Beaman said the group’s first golf tournament broke even. This year, however, the tourney drew 118 participants and raised $38,000 in registration fees and sponsorships.
“I’m so proud I could cry, but that’s just me. We are so very thankful,” Beamon said as volunteers prepared to serve lunch to the golfers. “The participation is great and the tournament is a means to start the conversation, to get the word out that there is a need and there is help.”
Gathering Hope helps survivors of infant loss, miscarriage and stillbirth by connecting families to resources and support structures to help bring healing and comfort. The group is also a source for people who have a friend or family member who has lost an infant and may be experiencing or hiding grief, shame and sometimes post-traumatic stress disorder that can occur after such a loss.
Nationwide and headquartered in Aledo, Gathering Hope has been meeting with loss moms and conducting gatherings for 10 years, allowing parents who have endured infant loss a shame-free environment to discuss their feelings among people who are dealing with the same issues. The relationships are genuine because the founding members are survivors of child loss themselves.
Co-Director Peyton Lauderdale said they have developed a new item, Timely Tender Totes, which is a comforting package ideal to send to someone who has experienced a stillbirth, miscarriage or infant loss.
“Sometimes you just don’t know what to say to a loss mom, and a Timely Tender Tote is a good place to start,” Lauderdale said. “The package has information, directives, and items of encouragement and hope.”
Lauderdale said Gathering Hope has shipped Timely Tender Totes as far away as Iceland.
Comfort and directives are also available remotely through Gathering Hope’s podcasts and blogs. For Information on podcasts, blogs and gatherings, visit www.gatheringhope.net.
John Gallaway, Peyton Gallaway, Austin Utley and Charlie Cronenworth (53)
Doyle Moss, Megan Hendricks, Sailor Chen and Aspen Hooper (56)
Charlie Harper, Paul Bruns, Eric Marchette and Keith Kidd (57)
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