This past week we heard from Northstar Community Services, The Job Foundation, and Gray Warriors who were our top 3 finalists for partnering organizations for our Putt Putt for a Purpose Mini Golf event. Our Putt Putt event supports local service/fundraising for our club , as well as supporting our partner organization.
Kelsey from the Job Foundation described what her organization is doing to reach out to children from low income families in our community to help break the poverty cycle using education, opportunities to earn, mentoring, and community building. Age appropriate financial literacy lessons begin at kindergarten level and go all through high school. Students can earn money for grades , attendance , and behavior and can earn as much as $3000 by the time they graduate. They are also given volunteer mentors and are part of fun community building events. The funds from Putt Putt would work toward their expansion of the program to include all 11 elementary schools locally.
Chelsey from North Star Community Service shared what her organization does to make disabled adults in our community feel celebrated, understood, accepted, and valued and the opportunities they are given to reach for their own North Star whether that is living independently, working in the community, or just being with friends in a supportive environment. They do musicals with program participants and also have the community's only adult day care Newel Post. The funds from Putt Putt would support an AED machine in the Newel Post center.
Bonnie from Gray Warriors shared what her organization does to support people in our community suffering from brain tumors/cancer and who are going through treatment. Gray Warriors was started in honor of 2 of Bonnie's family members she lost to brain cancer , a disabling diagnosis that is only becoming more prevalent. At this point those with brain cancer or tumors can only receive proper treatment in Iowa City or at Mayo Clinic . Their support of the patients and families includes arranging for child care, paying for hotels, bills, and gas cards. They largely pay directly to the merchant but give those they serve gas cards directly . Funds from Putt Putt would go towards their general fund to support the program.
After a vote from the 16 attending members The Job Foundation will be our partnering organization.