Charity golf event marks 10th year sending kids to Easter Seals camp

Vouchers are available now for the local fundraiser organized by Brent Morning that has raised more than $117,000 since its inception

Brent Morning, chairman of the We Care Charity Golf Challenge.Miriam King photo

The annual We Care Charity Golf Challenge is back at Cardinal Golf Club for its 10th year.

E-vouchers are now available with all the proceeds going to support We Care, which is an organization helping to send kids with disabilities to Easter Seals camps across the country.

It's a cause that's near and dear to the heart of the golf challenge's chairman, Brent Morning. He has cerebral palsy and went to Easter Seals camp as a kid in the 1970s.

"I am there for the kids. It isn't about anything else, I'm simply trying to raise awareness for them," he said.

He leveraged his network of friends and supporters and got the golf tournament up and running.

One of those friends is Brian Stemmle, a former Olympic skier, of Aurora. The pair have been friends for more than 45 years and bonded over a love of sports.

One of those sports was golf and Stemmle said Morning realized he could take advantage of the sport to raise money for We Care.

"Brent put countless hours into organizing and creating a way, through golf, to send special need kids to go to camp. He realizes sports can enhance kids' lives and it gives them opportunities to play just like it did for him when he was growing up. I'm not sure a younger Brent could have imagined raising as much money as he has for charity," he said.

The golf fundraiser used to be a formal tournament, but when COVID-19 prevented people from gathering, they switched to e-vouchers.

Supporters can buy a voucher online for $100 and can use it to play a round at Cardinal Golf Club's east wing or west wing courses. They are valid for play anytime on Mondays to Fridays or after noon on the weekends.

Morning said they have had a lot of success with this model as people can play when it suits them best, there is less demand on volunteers, and less overhead costs mean more money can go to We Care.

In the past nine years, he has raised more than $117,000, which is enough to support 477 full days at an Easter Seals camp.

"We Care would like to thank Brent for his 10 years of running this event and raising money to send kids with disabilities to summer camp. Camps will be fully open this summer, and we are grateful to Brent and his supporters for giving them an experience that will benefit them for a lifetime," said Arooj Hussain, co-ordinator of fundraising and special events at We Care.

E-vouchers can be bought online but there are a limited number available, so anyone who is interested is encouraged to purchase one soon. You can also make a donation online if you want to support We Care but don't play golf.

Anyone who purchases a voucher before July 1 will also be entered into a draw for a foursome of golf at Cardinal's east wing course.

Morning said he is thankful for all the donors, volunteers and following sponsors who help make the We Care Charity Golf Challenge possible: