In mid 2007, the EWGA Foundation launched a new outreach program called, “Drive For Dreams” to share our fortune with those less fortunate through contributions of gently used golf equipment and resources needed to ‘Give the Gift of Golf.’
The first fundraising campaign under this initiative was introduced in the fall of 2007 and donations collected were earmarked to benefit a girls golf school in Kenya run by golf professional Rose Naliaka. This first golf club collection campaign was a huge success, EWGA members were immensely generous with their donations. After a long, long journey – admidst much political upheaval throughout Kenya – the girls finally received your donations. Photos of Rose and her students, as well as some heartfelt thank you letters from the girls, were shared with attendees at the recent 2009 EWGA Conference in Palm Desert, CA.
Turning to this year….
This year, the EWGA Foundation’s ‘Drive For Dreams’ initiative has been expanded to actually monetize golf club donations, turning unwanted golf clubs into cash donations to the EWGA Foundation based on their fair market trade-in values. We have engaged the support of the PGA of America’s Trade-in Network to facilitate the process.
The 2009 ‘Drive for Dreams’ initiative will benefit Renee Powell’s Girls Golf Program at the Historic Clearview Club in East Canton, Ohio, the first and thus far only golf course in the United States designed, built, owned and operated by an African-American – Renee’s father, William “Bill” Powell.
Clearview Golf Club had its humble beginnings in 1946 as William “Bill” Powell, a World War II veteran, having encountered racial discriinion on the golf course decided to build his own place to play where people of all colors would be welcome. With the help of his family, Powell has maintained and operated this treasure of the community for more than 50 years. It is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
Renee Powell, a founding member of the Akron, OH Chapter, learned the game of golf from her father and went on to become an LPGA Tour Player. Renee is now Clearview’s Head Golf Professional and known as one of America’s top teachers. She has been actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the family-owned golf course and heads a girl’s golf program that serves underprivileged girls in the East Canton area. To date, approximately 250 girls have been through her year-round program, some of whom have gone on to compete on collegiate golf teams. As part of her community outreach, Renee teaches life lessons to the girls through the game of golf and the concept that golf can, in fact, embrace your entire life. She starts her program each year in the district library where students learn all the area of life affected by golf (print and electronic media, photography, etc.), followed by a trip to a restaurant to learn proper etiquette in dining that she ties, in similar fashion, to etiquette on the golf course.
2009 EWGA Foundation ‘Drive For Dreams’ Initiative Program Overview
As EWGA Chapters host their 2009 kickoff events, league play, and Chapter Championship events, a fundraising component may be added that will allow members to get rid of “gently” used golf clubs that will be turned into cash donations to the EWGA Foundation under its ‘Drive for Dreams’ initiative.
EWGA Headquarters will be working with the PGA staff at the host facilities of EWGA Championship Semi-finals and Finals to have collection receptacles on hand so that event participants, spectators, guests, and friends may participate in the EWGA Foundation’s 2009 ‘Drive for Dreams’ club donation drive.
Donors receive a receipt their donation which they can use when preparing their income tax returns just as donations to Goodwill and other charities are handled.
Turning golf club donations into cash is made possible through the PGA Trade-in Network, a PGA of America licensee program wherein participating PGA Trade-in Network facilities (there are over 6,000 nationwide) hosting EWGA events collect the golf club donations and then ship them to a liquidation outlet where the golf club donations are then turned into cash donations to the EWGA Foundation’s ‘Drive for Dreams’ campaign.
Download additional program details by following the links shown below:
Remember 1-2-3 When You Donate Clubs
EWGA Foundation 2009 ‘Drive For Dreams’ Campaign Golf Club Donation Receipt
