The Eighth Annual Food Lion American Red Cross Golf Classic is scheduled to tee-off at the Country Club of Salisbury on Friday, April 24 at 1 p.m.
Food Lion has served as the chief corporate sponsor of the classic for eight years and has been a key Red Cross contributor through the years.Many other companies and individuals in Rowan County have supported this tournament with sponsorships, golfers and door prizes.
Steve Simpson, executive director, said, “The E.H. Dole Chapter appreciates everything the community does to make this event prosper so that the Red Cross will be able to provide emergency disaster assistance in our community in time of need.”
Nancy Shirley, chair of the 2009 Golf Classic and chapter board member, said more than 140 golfers and dozens of businesses and organizations have joined Food Lion in supporting past golf classics. All golfers will receive lunch and door prize opportunities.
“This year, the classic will include a silent auction with some fabulous and interesting items up for bid,” Shirley said. “And, very importantly, all the funds received from the classic remain within Rowan County. We thank all of our long time supporters and welcome any new ones to this great event.”
The American Red Cross of Rowan County uses proceeds from this tournament to provide assistance in Rowan to victims of house fires and other emergencies, and to prepare for any major disaster that may strike the county.In 2008, classic participants and sponsors raised funds that enabled the chapter to provide more than $30,000 in aid to local fire victims.Individuals and four-person teams may enter this year’s tournament for $100 per player. This fee covers greens and cart fee, range balls, door prizes, lunch, beverages, snacks and goodie bags. Corporate and organizational sponsorship opportunities are available at the $4,000, $2,500, $1,500, $1,000, $600 and $250 levels.
The 2009 Golf Classic planning committee includes Chair Nancy Shirley, Pam Abernathy, William K. Adams, Stephen Bullock, Susan Cloninger, Lexia Frasher, Shari Graham, Leigh Harlan, Rodney Harris, Tyler Holden, Jimmy Jenkins, Darrin Jordan, Elizabeth Langford, Buddy Poole, Melody Poole, Steve Simpson, Richard Smith and Marianna Swaim.
In addition to disaster relief, the E.H. Dole Chapter provides blood and blood products to the national blood supply; trains people to use life saving CPR and first aid skills and external automated defibrillators during a medical emergency; transmits emergency messages from Rowan residents to family members deployed in the military and assists local families who have immediate family members deployed anywhere in the world; provides transportation assistance and other aid for veterans of the Hefner VA Medical Center; teaches leadership skills to Rowan youth and more.
For more information on the Golf Classic please contact the Rowan County American Red Cross at 704-633-3854 or visit the Chapter Web site: www.ehdoleredcross. org.