Spring time is in the air and that means The Valley Echo is getting ready to hold its annual Giving Back Golf tournament on June 26. This year the recipient of the money raised at the event will be the Invermere Companion Animal Network (ICAN).
ICAN is an all volunteer-run, no-kill shelter based in Invermere, B.C. that takes in cats and kittens, owner surrendered dogs and small animals. The group attends to their veterinary needs, including spay and neuter, and any special care required to place them to loving forever homes.
Deciding to help out ICAN was a tough choice due to the number of worthy groups that applied.
“We had some really good applicants. One of the criteria we really looked at was where the money was going,” said Interim Publisher at The Valley Echo Marilyn Berry.
Berry credited Publisher in Absentia Sheila Tutty for developing the tournament over the years.
“Sheila Tutty had a great idea three years ago. She wanted to do something to give back to the community. The tournament came about because of this idea,” Berry said.
She went on to explain that the ICAN proposal was all about the group finding a home for the group.
ICAN president Lana Banham explained that the money raised through the tournament will be used to hopefully get land and/or a building so ICAN will have a place to call their own and provide even better care and space for the animals.
“We are outgrowing our current facility. We are in the beginning stages now on deciding what to do next. Ideally we would like to be in this area. It is in a great proximity to the vets office and is better for our volunteers. We know this will not happen overnight but these funds will be a great help,” Banham said. This year the tournament will be a Texas Scramble with the emphasis on fun according to Berry.
“We have an early bird special entry fee of $50 per person which is available until May 9. After that the cost will go up to $85 per person. This fee will include your golf, cart, dinner and a tee gift for everybody. There will be door prizes, a silent auction and no one will walk away from the event without something,” she said.
The committee is also working on some surprises for the day of the event to make sure people have fun while they golf. Berry also said that the committee is looking for hole sponsors who will be welcomed to come out and do a presentation on their hole.
Banham said this is the biggest event that ICAN has ever been involved with.
“We were kind of in shock but it is very exciting. This is just a jump start to our campaign to raise money for a new building. We do not need a huge facility but we need something bigger than what we have.”
Registration for the tournament will be accepted at The Valley Echo office,
250-342-9216 or ICAN at 250-341-7888.