The annual Jasper Victim Services Golf Tournament is something organizer Paul Schmidt looks forward to every year.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really my one fun day of work. I have a really gratifying job, but my work鈥檚 not fun so this is something I really enjoy鈥攋ust seeing people having fun puts a smile on my face,鈥� said Schmidt, who is the coordinator for Jasper Victim Services.
This year 156 golfers teed off at the Fairmont Jasper Park Golf Course for the eighth annual tournament, Sept. 9, to support the nonprofit鈥檚 largest fundraiser of the year.
According to Schmidt, the organization raised about $25,000鈥攖he same amount the tournament brought in last year.
鈥淵ears ago I thought people just came out because it was a fun day, but as the years go by it鈥檚 become more clear to me that the community is really supportive of the service that we鈥檙e giving and they respect what we鈥檙e doing for the victims of Jasper,鈥� Schmidt said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e really lucky to have the community support that we do.鈥�
On average, Schmidt said the organization spends between $10,000 and $15,000 a year helping victims of crime and trauma鈥攚hether that be giving people in distress a place to stay for the night, providing a warm meal or offering transportation.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 all stuff that people don鈥檛 really think about, but it all adds up,鈥� Schmidt said.
After the golf tournament, participants packed away their clubs and headed to the Sawridge Inn for a dinner and silent auction, which raised more than $1,000.
This year local businesses and organizations donated almost $29,000 worth of goods and food for the tournament.
鈥淎gain I can鈥檛 thank the community enough鈥攖his tournament really helps us meet the needs we have in the community,鈥� Schmidt said.
Schmidt is also hoping some of the money raised will allow the organization to add another paid member for next summer.
鈥淲e鈥檙e looking to have some coverage for me so I鈥檓 not so often the person that is on call,鈥� Schmidt said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been nine years like this and it鈥檚 been great, but I need a bit of a break sometimes and I鈥檝e got a lot of support to find a way to make that happen.鈥�
Kayla Byrne [email protected]
