| Lauren LeBel
llebel@thereminder.com
Category:
WARE — For the second year, Operation Soaring Eagle Golf Tournament will return to benefit Homefront Strong, a nonprofit organization that assists veterans, service members and their families.
The golf tournament will take place on May 5 at Heritage Country Club, 85 Sampson Rd. in Charlton. Registration opens at 9 a.m., with the first group to tee off at 10 a.m.
Homefront Strong Chief Operating Officer Donald Longley said pre-registration is encouraged so they can properly plan for food, awards and more. To register online, visit Homefront Strong’s website at https://brookfieldinstitute.org/ or find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BrookfieldInstitute/.
The cost to register is $125 per person. He noted that they are ideally looking for foursomes, although individuals can sign up and be placed on a team.
Throughout March and April, Longley said Homefront Strong will “really start pushing sign-ups.” At press time, only a few people had signed up.
“We are looking for roughly 144 golfers,” Longley said. The event is open to everyone.
He explained that the golf tournament started last year as a fundraising event, and the money raised is used to fund programming for veterans throughout the year. Last year’s event raised nearly $20,000.
Longley shared that his goal for 2023 is to surpass last year’s numbers and raise $30,000.
Sponsorships — whether individual or company based — are still being accepted. Anyone interested in sponsoring a hole or donating directly to the organization can visit https://brookfieldinstitute.org, or email Longley at donald@brookfieldinstitute.org.
The golf tournament will have four contests including a hole-in-one, longest drive, closest to the pin and top team. “The hole-in-one prize will be a truck from Diamond Chevrolet,” shared Longley.
Participants can also enter to win various raffle prizes from local businesses, organizations and more.
Longley explained that the bulk of Homefront Strong’s money comes from the support of local businesses. Without their help, he said the organization would not be able to offer their current programs.
Homefront Strong, formerly known as the Brookfield Institute, is based out of Ware, although its programming is provided across the state and New England. Its mission is to build resilience in the veteran community.
Homefront Strong Connects – like its title – connects veterans with appropriate people to aid with a specific need. For instance, if someone needed help with an electric bill, this program could connect them to a service provider. Also, if someone needed a box of food, Homefront Strong could supply them with items through its food bank.
One program that is in its beginning stages is Homefront Strong Storytelling. Longley noted that the state recently provided funding for this program, which allows veterans or family members to share their stories. Most of the stories are recorded, to be shared with other family members or on YouTube. Longley said they are currently training volunteers on how to properly interview a veteran, to make them feel comfortable in sharing their experiences.
Another program the organization offers is Homefront Strong Outdoors. Every month, the group goes hiking around the Quabbin Reservoir or mountain biking.
“We try to build community with this,” said Longley.
The final program offered by Homefront Strong is morning coffee, which takes place once a month. Veterans and service members can drop-in to enjoy doughnuts, chat and oftentimes, listen to a variety of guest speakers discussing new healthcare policies, benefits and more. Longley noted that this offering is one way Homefront Strong connects veterans outside the organization.
Homefront Strong is always looking for volunteers to assist with its programming. Longley encourages anyone interested in becoming involved to reach out through their website.
He reiterated that programming does not work without community involvement. The more resources and programs that can be provided to those that need them, the better, he added.