Hole in one for Summer Outreach
Sacred Heart varsity golfers prepare for the driving competition. Courtesy of Mrs. Anissa Shannon
Convent of the Sacred Heart was on par Monday, October 1 at the fifth annual Golf and Tennis Outing. Greenwich Country Club hosted 62 golfers and 18 tennis players who competed to raise money for Sacred Heart’s Summer Outreach Program.
Upper School parents Mr. and Mrs. Frank Carroll (P’15 and ’17) and Mr. and Mrs. James Shannon (P’18) co-chaired the event. The goal of the event was to raise $200,000 for the Sacred Heart Summer Outreach.
Two hundred and sixty second through eighth grade students from 28 schools in Fairfield and Westchester counties attend the Summer Outreach Program Monday through Friday for five weeks. In addition to learning in the classrooms, the students also participate in activities in the art room, athletic center, library, and the Makerspace.
“The money goes towards transportation to and from campus, morning snacks and lunch, staff salary, field trips, and other general operational costs,” Director of Summer Outreach and After-school Programs Ms. Lisa Lyons-Young said.
Families currently pay only $125 for the program. Without the funds raised at the Golf and Tennis Outing, however, it would cost approximately $700 to $800.
“In our efforts to keeping the program fee feasible for the low-income families who participate in the program, we need to raise the remaining funds to have a balanced budget,” Ms. Lyons-Young said.
Participants in the Golf and Tennis Outing arrived at Greenwich Country Club at 9 a.m. for registration and received custom Sacred Heart shirts and water bottles. The tennis doubles event started at 10 a.m. The 18-hole golf tournament followed at 1 p.m.
In addition, four Sacred Heart varsity golfers hosted a driving competition on the twelfth hole. Golfers who participated in the competition gave the Sacred Heart team $50. If the Sacred Heart varsity team drove the ball closer to the hole, the money was donated to Summer Outreach. If the Sacred Heart varsity team lost, the competitors received a $50 credit to the Greenwich Country Club pro shop.
“Knowing that the money was going toward such a good cause definitely pushed me to play better,” Sacred Heart junior and varsity golfer Caroline Dym said.
The event closed at 7:30 p.m with dinner as the 110 guests learned more about the Summer Outreach Program. The Golf and Tennis Outing raised a total of $250,000.
“Without the Golf Outing and the support of our Sacred Heart families, students, and friends the Summer Outreach Program would not be able to provide 260 boys and girls with such an engaging educational and exciting experience,” Ms. Lyons-Young said.
– Jackie Shannon, Staff Writer
