YMCA golf tournament drives care for community

By Lethbridge Herald on August 27, 2024.

Bridget Cox putts with a plastic hockey stick during the putting contest at the Cor Van Raay YMCA Charity Open golf fundraiser on Tuesday at Paradise Canyon. Herald photo by Justin Seward

Justin Seward – LETHBRIDGE HERALD

Nearly 100 golfers teed it up for the second annual Cor Van Raay YMCA Charity Open at Paradise Canyon on Tuesday in support of the YMCA’s Shape Your Future campaign.

The late Van Raay, who was a philanthropist, gave back to southern Alberta into places such as the YMCA with monetary donations and his services.

“Cor Van Raay was an amazing philanthropist but also (an) amazing person in our community,” said Pam Haapa-aho, YMCA Lethbridge’s philanthropy manager.

“He was a member at the YMCA and supported many of our funding campaigns because he really wanted to see children, youth and people be healthy and create healthy lifestyles.”

Organizers wanted to replicate Van Raay’s support for the community with the golf tournament.

“So by bringing his name out of the facility into an event that brings the community together in an event where they can have some fun, network, and make friends and support the cause,” said Haapa-aho.

The YMCA says they learned a lot from last year’s inaugural golf tournament going into this year’s charity event.

“What we saw for this year was a lot more sponsorship support,” said Haapa-aho.

“We felt the community came together to support the event so that we could have a great day, support our community and carry on Cor’s legacy.”

The golfers bought mulligans, got involved in 50/50 draws and a silent auction among other things.

“Above and beyond the golf, they are supporting in many other ways,” said Haapa-aho.

Matthew Salmon was a part of the Triple M Housing’s team and is a YMCA board member.

“We think it’s incredibly valuable. It helps create a sense of community here in Lethbridge and it helps a lot of people who don’t otherwise have access to those types of services,” said Salmon, on the work the YMCA does.

Bryce Stinson, Westco Construction’s design build consultant and contract administrator, said a part of Westco culture is caring for the community.

“This is where caring for the community is a part of our culture and so that’s why we’re here. And we’re doing our best to sponsor… worthwhile projects and events that are in the community,” said Stinson.

While he didn’t know Van Raay, Stinson said he has heard a lot about him since he has been around Lethbridge for a decade-and-a-half.

“I’m familiar with the YMCA board and people on the board. I think it’s a worthwhile venue to have in a community and I think Cor’s example of giving back into the community is so important (and) that I think is missing in a lot of corporate culture today.”

All the proceeds from the golf tournament went to the Shape Your Future Campaign’s fees assistance program.

“Which subsidizes fees and costs to memberships programs and services at the YMCA so that everybody has equal opportunity to participate and enjoy the YMCA spaces,” said Haap-aho.

The hope was to raise $35,000.

Van Raay died in July 2021 at the age of 85.

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