Free Fowler Bonan Junior Golf Days almost here
The Fowler-Bonan Foundation "Clothes for Kids" Junior Golf days have been set. Open to all boys and girls age 4 to 18, this year's events are all free. Online registration is now open.
"Offering these events for free has been a vision of mine for a long time," foundation chairman Dale Fowler said. "We're able to do this only because of the generosity of our sponsors and supporters."
The "Clothes for Kids" Junior Golf events will take place at Franklin County Country Club on Monday, June 15, at Shawnee Hill Country Club in Harrisburg on Friday, July 17, and at Jackson County Country Club in Murphysboro on Monday, July 27.
"By making the events free, all kids have an opportunity to join us. This is our way of giving back," Fowler said.
The events offer fun for children that have never played golf, as well as for more experienced golfers. All participants receive free golf, award, tee shirt and lunch.
The Franklin County event on June 15 will feature an instructional clinic for the beginning golfer, overseen by Kelly Mason, of Eldorado, and her Kidz Fore Golf program.
Fowler said that during lunch and the award ceremonies at each venue, every player is introduced, thanked for supporting the "Clothes for Kids" cause and made aware that their participation helps supply hundreds of children with new shoes and clothes to wear to school.
The chairman said the "Clothes for Kids" idea originated from a childhood recollection. While growing up on a farm near Eldorado, Fowler's school bus picked up two children each morning wearing tattered clothing, and being treated differently by other kids at school. Years later Fowler decided to make a difference.
"People throughout southern Illinois see and hear about the difference we are making in the lives of children." Fowler said. "What began eleven years ago from a childhood memory of mine, and wanting to help a few kids a year with new clothes, has grown into a program that last year assisted over 600 children in seventeen counties."
The program operates via confidential referrals from school teachers, social workers, and administrators. Each child receives roughly three pair of jeans, four shirts, socks, underwear, a coat, and shoes - all brand new.
"The feedback we receive from school officials reflect an unmistakable increase in the confidence and self-esteem of the children we assist," Fowler added.
For more information, and to register for the events, visit FowlerBonanFoundation.com. For more information, call the foundation at (618) 231-3904.
Fowler said the youth golf events double as the foundation's primary annual fundraisers, and for those who appreciate what the foundation does, there is never a better time show support. Sponsorship donations may be mailed to Fowler-Bonan Foundation, PO Box 848, Harrisburg, IL 62946. The Foundation is a registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization thus donations are tax-deductible.