The Ada County Highway District raised a record-breaking $210,000 to support veterans during the 19th Annual Charity Golf Tournament.
The tournament was held Saturday, September 11, at The Club at SpurWing in Meridian. This year’s event held special significance as the nation commemorated 20 years since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
"We are so very grateful for the many patriots that joined ACHD in remembering and honoring all the lives that were lost, the emergency responders who sacrificed everything to help our fellow citizens, those brave patriots on United Flight 93, and the many military members from Idaho and across the country who went into harm's way without a moment's hesitation," said Bruce Wong, Executive Director of ACHD. "We are proud and honored to be supporting those veterans as they transition into civilian life."
Proceeds from this year's tournament will benefit The Wyakin Foundation, which provides pathway and transition programs for wounded and injured veterans through education in the careers of their choosing. The programs assist veterans as they transition from active-duty service to the civilian community.
"For 10 years now, we've been blessed to serve our brave men and women post-9/11 veterans who come to us," said Cory Rodriguez, Executive Director of the Wyakin Foundation. "Through our programming and support from tournaments like this, we have helped over 100 veterans who are now warriors."
The Annual ACHD Charity Golf Tournament is completely employee-driven by ACHD team members who volunteer their time, select the charity, and handle all logistics to give back to the community. They are joined by generous community organizations and partners. This year, participants included the Julius C. Jeker Foundation, TDS, Catherine Stein, Van Auker Companies, Boise Hunter Homes, Jacksons Food Stores, DevCo, Conger Group, landproDATA, and Holland & Hart LLP.
"I thank all of the participating teams and ACHD employees for their contributions of both time and money for this year's tournament," said ACHD Commission President Kent Goldthorpe. "Not only is this enjoyable for everyone involved, but your support is also key in providing new opportunities for those who have fought to provide so many opportunities for the rest of us." Each year a different charity is selected for the tournament. Previous charities include The Children's Home Society of Idaho, Camp Rainbow Gold and the Idaho Guard and Reserve.
This charity event is completely employee-driven by ACHD team members who not only volunteer their time, select the charity, and plan all the actions and activities to give back to the community. "Without them, none of this would be possible," said ACHD Director Bruce Wong. "We are also very grateful to the generous business community who consistently, year after year, come together to support this worthy cause."
Each year, a new charity is selected to receive the raised funds. The recent recepients include: The Idaho Guard and Reserve, The Children's Home Society of Idaho, and Camp Rainbow Gold.