Play golf and raise some green for a good cause

A charity golf tournament on June 17 hopes to raise money for the Prince George Council of Seniors' (PGCOS) Wheels to Meals program.

The program launched in April and helps with two common problems senior citizens struggle with, loneliness and good nutrition.

The PGCOS uses a van to pick up the seniors that have signed up for the program and they decide where to go for a meal.

The seniors are given an opportunity to get some social interaction and a good meal. While they can donate money for the upkeep of the van it isn't a requirement. With money raised from the tournament, the PGCOS hopes to expand and continue the service throughout Prince George.

"[The funds] aren't getting split, we aren't making a dime. In lieu of [an] annual donation, we are just helping to administer the event. All funds associated with the event are going to the PGCOS," said Leon Callier, location manager of Wecare Home Health Service.

He proposed the idea to the seniors council because he'd seen charity golf tournaments be successful in the past.

The tournament will be at the Aberdeen Glen Golf Course and the fees are $80 for a full-day of golf and a barbecued dinner, or $55 to just play golf for the day.

"We are around the 40 mark, we are hoping for another 100 or so golfers. Prince George is a last minute kinda city so we are hoping to get more," said Lola-Dawn Fennell, manager of PGCOS.

They need 120 people registered for a shotgun start.

"Prince George is a very active town, and we have a very good social conscience and I think it would be a wonderful way for us to bring together all aspects of the Prince George community from business to government to non-profits to support this worthwhile cause," said Callier.

Loneliness for the elderly population is one of the biggest hurdles that Wecare Home Health Service has come up against. Regardless of financial means, many peoples family aren't in the area and the experience with Wheels to Meals is often the only interaction they get in a week.

The tournament is sponsored by Canacord Wealth Management, Chinook Scaffolding, Sinclair Lumber and the River 101.3 and Manulife.

"It's our way of supporting the seniors of Prince George and giving back to the community," said Callier.

To sign up for the golf tournament, registration forms can be found at www.pgcos.ca