LAC LA BICHE - The fundraising drive was held back in July, and after chipping away at the final numbers,dollars have been putt into the coffers of two local organizations.
The funds raised at the July 4 Healthier Communities Golf Tournament in Lac La Biche took some time to tally, but are now being split between the Lac La Biche Regional Health Foundation and Portage College. Each group was recently awarded just over $29,000.
The golf tournament has been part of the yearly fundraising initiatives for both organizations for the last several years. The event raises money for the Lac La Biche Regional Health Foundation in its efforts to upgrade equipment and healthcare programming in the community.
According to Lac La Biche County officials, the hosts of the annual sporting event, the 2024 tournament brought in some of the highest dollar amounts of any previous year.
Funds for the Healthier Communities Golf Tournament are raised through entry fees, a silent auction held during the after-game supper, as well as sponsorships.
Jihad Moghrabi, a spokesperson for Lac La Biche County, there were a few more sponsors this year, while sponsorship costs were increased.
“Combined, these factors helped us raise more funds than we have since 2021,” Moghrabi told Lakeland This Week.
Moghrabi continued by saying that organizers received great support from local businesses, as well as contractors and consultants through sponsorships and registrations. Some of the companies who served as sponsors for the 2024 Healthier Communities Golf Tournament include EllisDon, Canadian Natural, Fortis Alberta, Lac La Biche Home Hardware, and ATB.
In addition to fundraising, Moghrabi continued, the Healthier Communities Golf Tournament – an event that began more than a decade ago as "The Mayor's Golf Tournament" as a fundraiser for local healthcare – is also a great event for networking and bringing visitors to the community, including elected officials from other municipalities.
“The County’s elected officials participate both in planning and attending the event to show support for growing healthcare options locally,” Moghrabi said. “Overall, we had more than 100 golfers participate this year, and we’re excited to hold the event again in 2025.”
Rick Flumian, Portage College’s manager of community relations, said the quantity of money raised for this year’s Healthier Communities Golf Tournament was unexpected.
“This year has been the highest amount raised for this tournament and was a very nice surprise,” Flumian told Lakeland This Week. “The support of Lac La Biche County towards the college and the health foundation is amazing.”
In previous years, Portage College has used funds from the Healthier Communities Golf Tournament to purchase equipment for health-related programs such as paramedicine and nursing. This equipment has included IV pumps, stretchers, and simulation equipment.
The Healthier Communities Golf Tournament, Flumian continued, has been a huge support to the college’s health programs by giving officials the opportunity to buy new and updated equipment.
While it has yet to be determined how the college’s share of the funds – exactly $29,226 -will be used , according to Flumian, the money will once again be going towards equipment to support health programs at the college.
This year, a number of Portage College staff helped out during the golfing competition.
“We had many staff volunteering on holes and selling tickets to our ball drop raffle,” he stated.
Flumian stated that Portage College thanks all of its generous sponsors as well as the golfers who supported this great cause and made the 2024 Healthier Communities Golf Tournament a memorable day.
“Special thanks to the Health Foundation and, above all, to Lac La Biche County for their support in helping improve our region's health services and programs,” he said.
The Lac La Biche Post newsroom reached out to members of the Lac La Biche Regional Health Foundation for comments about plans for their $29,226 portion of the funds.
Allan Sinclair, the past board chair of the regional health foundation, said members of the organization appreciate being involved in the annual community golf tournament, which has been a considerable financially help.
“It has been a great source of funds for us,” Sinclair said.
Plans are underway for the 2025 version of the golf fundraiser.
