Tee Off for Hope! Annual Golf Tournament

Bang, they’re off!

It was a shotgun start at 7:30 a.m. then, 30 degrees warmer and the first foursome arrived at the Highlands Ranch Golf Club dining room. One after another the golfers pulled up in their carts laughing and loving the pure Rocky Mountain air. There are few places on earth where golfing is set in such an-almost perfect setting.

The 22nd Annual Golf Classic was an annual fundraiser benefitting the Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains. Donated funds from this day of golf will go directly to impact the many programs at LFS such as pregnancy counseling, domestic and international adoption, foster care, respite care, teen pregnancy prevention classes, refugee resettlement, and older adults and caregiver services. With offices located in Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Greeley/Evans and Fort Morgan, CO and Albuquerque, NM, LFS proudly responds to social and emotional needs of approximately 30,000 people annually.

Guest speaker Stacie Hazleton, a LFS foster mom, spoke of the serious needs of children in the foster system. She shared stories of the children who have broken her heart and told success stories of those who became a part of her family even after moving on to adulthood. Taking the good with the bad Hazleton emphasized how each of the children had been a gift to her family and how thankful she was for what each had taught her and, given her through the years.

Golfers were fed overstuffed burritos to start their golf day and big charcoal broiled steaks at the end of their eighteen holes. They enthusiastically chowed down plates of steaks accompanied by a cool one (or two), as the prizes and silent auction items were distributed. Prizes were offered by 3rd Avenue Studio, A Touch of Colorado – Belmar, Birdee Girl, City of Aurora Parks, Recreation & Open Space Department, Colorado Avalanche, Comedy Works, D’Lance Golf Performance Center, Highlands Ranch Golf Club, Meridian Golf Club, Jay’s Valet, Rioja, Rocky Mountain Restaurant Group, Swift Automotive, The Club at Pradera, and the Trouble Salon.

The day was splendid. Excellent for engaging in fun, family rivalry, friends, comparing score cards and a spectacular golf game on a breathtaking course found only in Colorado  Add to that, the Rockies majestically peering over the guests. Without a doubt, this was a day of celebration.

Lutheran Family Services was also celebrating their 67 years of dedicated service to vulnerable children and families. The golfer’s support and presence meant more to everyone than just another round of golf.

For more information about LFS programs and services call 303-922-3433 or visit the website: www.lfsrm.org.