MEDFORD, Ore. — Usually the annual golf event hosted by Santa’s Elves raises funds to supply Christmas items to kids who would not in any other case obtain any. They’d work with native colleges to establish recipients.
However this yr, the organizers seemed to develop their affect and donate many of the proceeds to these most impacted by one of many worst fires in Oregon historical past.
“This yr, our coronary heart simply known as us to vary it up a little bit bit,” Randy Rudy, the president of Santa’s Elves, mentioned. “We’re nonetheless going to assist out some children, however the majority of the cash, virtually all of it, goes to go to serving to some folks of the Almeda Fireplace.”
Rudy, an eagle level resident, was moved to assist the victims of the Almeda hearth after touring the destruction of phoenix. He could not think about what it was like for households who had misplaced all the pieces. So rudy wished to make use of the annual golf fundraiser to assist these households.
“After which I drove via [Phoenix]. It is simply horrible,” Rudy mentioned. “To reside round it’s one factor however to be straight concerned in it– we simply felt like we gotta do our half.”
As of Saturday night, the Santa’s Elves golf event had raised almost $20,000 to assist these in want. Even when the event stuffed up, donations nonetheless poured in. Golfers on the occasion loved enjoying whereas understanding their time on the course was serving to their neighbors rebuild.
“Fact be informed when you have got one thing that your enjoying for like this, it actually would not matter the way you play,” Justin Ivens mentioned. “You are simply out right here to have an excellent time.”
A sentiment shared by different golfers who have been motivated to return out and play a spherical for an vital trigger.
“That is what we’re caring about, that is what we have to do as a group is come collectively and that is one approach to do it’s to return out, golf and have enjoyable,” Tyson Miltenberger mentioned.
For these desirous to donate, checks may be mailed to Santa’s Elves at 5724 Crater Lake Ave., Central Level, OR, 97502.
