Tee off for a cause: Riverside County Foundation on Aging holds annual golf tournament

Posted by Admin December 6, 2024 Golf

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Kathleen Bennett
| Special to The Desert Sun

The Riverside County Foundation on Aging hosted its 11th annual charity golf tournament, “Golf Today for Seniors’ Tomorrows,” at the Classic Club in Palm Desert on Nov. 15.

With perfect weather and a scenic backdrop, this event brought together community members, local leaders and golf enthusiasts for a day of camaraderie, friendly competition and support for vital senior services. Here’s how the day unfolded — full of memorable moments on the greens and a shared commitment to making a difference.

This is the foundation’s only fundraising event of the year, and its success is fundamental to the nonprofit’s ability to help older adults in need, many of whom are vulnerable, at risk and may also be homebound. The foundation also sponsors special events benefiting and recognizing seniors in Riverside County.

In addition, the organization coordinates and partially funds an annual holiday market gift card/nutrition support program; supports the Riverside County Office on Aging annual holiday gift drive; and responds to unique, critical and time-sensitive needs of older adults forwarded to the foundation from the County Office on Aging and County Board of Supervisors.

“The support of our community partners helps us continue our good work,” says Anna L. Martinez, president and executive director of the foundation.

The foundation appreciates its sponsors for their ongoing support, from key event sponsors to everyone who came out to support the cause.

Silver sponsor ($5,000) was the Riverside County Office on Aging. Bronze sponsors ($2,500) included the City of Rancho Mirage, Safeguard by Fontis and IEHP. Eagle sponsors ($1,500) were Burrtec Waste Industries Coachella Valley, von Zabern Surgical Instrument Design and Manufacturing, Barron Lawyers and the Riverside County Department of Veteran Services. Birdie sponsors ($1,000) were the City of Palm Desert, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, the City of Desert Hot Springs and Beacon Property Management/Country Village Apartments. Foursome sponsors were Soboba Foundation and Bilhartz Desert Insurance Agency.

Other sponsors included Indio Take Center Stage, Fusion Sign and Design, Stuft Pizza Bar & Grill, Plexcity, Abbot, Ameriprise Financial, Pechanga Resort Casino, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and The Joslyn Center.

Veterans who played in the tournament were sponsored by Elevare Wealth/Ameriprise Financial, Riverside County Veterans Services, Plexcity, Moreno Valley Moss Bros. and Shirley and JR Morgan.

During the luncheon, a special announcement and a moment of silence was announced for three-time USGA Open Winner Susie Maxwell Berning, a long-time Coachella Valley resident who passed away recently.

“Thank you, Susie, for the wonderful memories and the many contributions you made to the Foundation on Aging,” Martinez said.

The Palm Springs Air Museum honored the FOA charity golf tournament players and veterans by providing a fly-over at 9 a.m. The aircraft, a T-6, also called the “Texan,” trained thousands of pilots in World War II and Korea and carries a “?” emblem on the side because it was used by multiple pilots for various support and transportation needs and not assigned to any specific pilot.

About the Riverside County Foundation on Aging

The foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable nonprofit organization. Since 2004, it has worked to raise awareness of the needs of older adults and to fund the gap created by decreasing public funding for senior programs and services. Supported by donations and fundraising events, the foundation helps older adults receive the support they need to age with dignity, respect and independence. This includes services for older adults in the Coachella Valley who may need our support.

More information about the Foundation on Aging can be found at foaging.com.

Kathleen Bennett is the founder/principal of Resort Marketing, an award-winning company based in Palm Springs with the experience and expertise to assist in achieving the dreams and goals of each client. Since establishing her firm 28 years ago, Bennett consults in the fields of hospitality, business and nonprofit organizations. She is on the executive committee for the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars and still finds time to volunteer in the community.