ROBERT PIERCE
• Leader & Times
Over the years, Seward County United Way has used many means to collect donations.
One of those events was the Golf to Give tournament, which current United Way Director Diana Esparza-Villarreal said she believes last happened in 2018, and she said SCUW officials want to bring the tournament back.
“It was one of the biggest fundraisers for United Way, and we are super excited to bring it back,” she said.
Esparza-Villarreal said the golf tournament is very important for United Way and its agencies. Teams of four can register for $500 by contacting Willow Tree Golf Course.
Golf to Give will take place June 29 at Willow Tree with the first flight hitting the tee box at 8 a.m., with a second flight starting at 12:45 p.m. If flights do not fill up, there will only be one flight, and golfers will be notified a week prior to the tournament.
Esparza-Villarreal said sponsors are still being sought and will be accepted as the day of the tournament approaches. She added United Way did not reach its goal for the 2023 campaign, coming up a bit short, and she said by bringing back a prior successful event, hopes are to reach the goal this year and in the future.
“We wish and hope to have not only a successful event, but a fun one for our community members and supporters,” she said. “This year, we have 16 agencies we are funding, and we hope to have some of them at the golf course so you can meet and learn more about what they do for our community.”
Esparza said with only about half of the year completed, United Way has a long way to reach its fundraising goal.
“Our campaign officially will kick off with the golf tournament, so we are just getting started,” she said. “We hope to start it with a bang and hope to see many people there.”
Some future events SCUW has coming up in the latter half of 2024 is its Stuff the Bus school supply drive and chili cookoff, which will take place in conjuction with the Liberal Chamber of Commerce’s annual Duck Race Festival. To stay up to date on events and to get more information, follow United Way’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
“We always post our events and/or information on there,” Esparza-Villarreal said. “If anyone is interested in donating, they can contact me through our office at (620) 624-5400 or send a check to P.O. Box 273, Liberal, KS 67905.”
