The Hawai‘i Golf Course Employee Foundation helps those in need with basics like transportation, affordable living and medical care, while also addressing other financial difficulties, family emergencies and a host of unique challenges. The new nonprofit charity is hosting a fundraising tournament September 22 at Kona Country Club.
The Hawai‘i Golf Course Employee Foundation (HGCEF) was launched in December 2018 with the mission to assist industry employees financially and by helping them meet basic needs of transportation, affordable living situations and medical care, Big Island Now reported. Also addressed are other financial difficulties, family emergencies and challenges unique to specific individuals.
Founder Derrick Watts said the inspiration for the HGCEF came out of the realization that many industry employees struggle financially on a daily basis, Big Island Now reported.
“That’s why I set on a mission to create a Foundation that can help these employees get back on their feet,” he wrote in an e-mail to Big Island Now. “The golf industry is a big part of Hawai‘i tourism, but it seems that some of the employees are struggling to provide for their families and themselves. Most golf courses have at least one employee that is going through some sort of hardship and could use some help.”
On September 22, the foundation is hosting a charity golf tournament at Kona Country Club, Big Island Now reported. The Board of Directors and Members volunteer their time without compensation, resulting in fundraising and administrative costs of less than 2 percent of total contributions. Roughly 98-99 percent of the donations go straight to Hawai‘i Golf Course Employees and their families.
The board will receive employee nominations from Hawai‘i Golf Course Superintendents, then review the nominations for each employee, Big Island Now reported. Nominations will be prioritized based on the categories of death, natural disasters, illness or injury, or catastrophic or extreme circumstances.
Funds will be distributed annually in the month of November, Big Island Now reported. The board will work closely with the Golf Course Superintendent to allocate the funds toward employee financial needs. To learn more about the foundation, the tournament and other fundraising options, visit www.hgcef.org. The HGCEF is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charity registered within the U.S. Contributions to the foundation are tax-deductible within guidelines of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
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