The 11th Annual Medford Education Foundation Golf Outing and Tournament presented by Allen & Associates will be held on Monday, May 11 at Medford Village Country Club.
“Historically, this event accumulates about 90 golfers, 125 people in total, and raises about $35,000 to $40,000 net profit,” President of the Medford Education Foundation Tommie Ann Gibney said. “The foundation uses this money to support the grant program for the school system.”
Teachers make applications based on things they need in the classroom individually, and the education program allocates these things through grants. Applications that benefit the maximum number of students from the proposed project will be accepted.
“The Medford Education Foundation will fund only those projects that enrich and augment the curriculum,” as it is stated in the foundation’s Grant Program Description.
In the past, this money has gone toward leveled reading books to assist children improve their reading skills based on what level they are starting at.
Wifi-enabled laptop carts were also a central focus in the past, further permitting the district to have as much access to technology as possible.
The grant program was developed to support teachers who encourage creativity in the classroom for the benefit of Medford’s K-8 students.
“We specifically recognize creativity and support it in the classroom for teachers who go beyond the budget that is given to them through the board,” Gibney said.
The Medford Education Foundation was started in 2004 by a group of parents and small business owners who saw there was a need in the district for access to technology that was not otherwise provided for in the school budget.
It has raised nearly $600,000 to benefit the Medford Township Public Schools since it got started just more than a decade ago.
The golf outing has been a cornerstone of the foundation’s organizational schedule ever since this time.
It has since added the Basketball Throwdown in October, the Dineout for Education in February, the Family Pool Party and BBQ in June, and the Pond and Garden Tour in July in which it splits the proceeds with the Evesham Education Foundation.
“Only having 14 people on the board and five different events can be difficult, but we divvy them up evenly amongst the members, and all members lend a hand in the planning and executing of each event,” Gibney said.
Gibney has been the president of the foundation since its third year of existence.
“Putting together a successful event of this magnitude takes time, effort and attention to detail. Luckily, the foundation is constructed of a great group of people who are focused on one goal, and having this group behind you makes it easy,” Gibney said. “Plus, we have the full support of the schools, community, teachers and the businesses in the area.”
The Medford Village Country Club has played host to this event every time it has been held.
“The participants really enjoy going to a great club each year,” Gibney said. “It is a lovely location, and the catering and professional golf staff is extremely helpful every year, playing a large role in the overall success of the event.”
The day will begin with a BBQ lunch at noon followed by a 1 p.m. shotgun start. After a great day on the links, golfers will be able to relax and enjoy cocktails beginning at 5 p.m. Concluding the night will be dinner and awards ceremony from 6 to 8 p.m.
For those who are a bit more advanced at the sport or at being lucky, a $50,000 prize is available for a hole-in-one on the 194-yard fourth hole.
“Seeing a diverse group of people come together and participate in an event knowing that their efforts and contributions will support the schools makes the months of preparation worthwhile, and we look forward to growing the event and the success that it will bring for years to come,” Gibney said.
