Supporters of Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana turned out in force for the organization’s second annual “Fore the Region” Golf Classic at Lost Marsh Golf Course.
Over 100 golfers took to the course on Monday, October 7, to support Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana’s mission to strengthen Region schools that provide high quality, values-based education. Funds raised by the event will benefit the Founder’s Advisory Council Scholarship, a program that provides tuition assistance for students in the Region, empowering their families to choose a school that best fits their needs.
“It’s exciting. This is just the second year of this outing and its attendance has grown by nearly 50%,” said Rebecca Lindsay-Ryan, chief schools officer for Big Shoulders Fund. “Access is super important for our students, particularly at the high school level. There’s a financial gap for a lot of our high-needs students, so we look for a variety of ways to bridge that gap so that there’s nothing keeping them from attending our schools.”
Golf Classic attendees were greeted by clear skies on one of the most scenic, and challenging golf courses in the Region. Golfers of all skill levels took part – with some of the more experienced ones already aware of the courses’ hazards.
Tom Ruiz, principal of St. Mary’s Catholic School in Crown Point, said. “I’m planning to go through at least a dozen golf balls today.”
St. Mary’s is a part of the Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana network, which includes nearly 6,000 students in 20 Diocese of Gary schools. Ruiz was thrilled to see such a strong turnout and highlighted the impact Big Shoulders Fund can make on a school.
“St. Stanislaus in East Chicago used to have recess in an asphalt parking lot with no equipment for the kids for recess,” he said. “Big Shoulders helped by building a nice playground on a grassy area, and just really improved the quality of play for the kids at that school. There are stories like that throughout the Diocese, and we’re proud to be associated with Big Shoulders Fund.”
Lindsay-Ryan noted that engaging with the community at large was almost as much a goal for the Golf Classic as raising money for the Founder’s Advisory Council Scholarship.
“We want to connect with the civic, corporate, and business communities here in Northwest Indiana and get them involved in the lives of the students we serve,” she said. “We’ve been in the Region for five years, and it’s exciting to see so many people out here to enjoy the day, raise some funds for the kids, and learn a little more about our mission.”
One community leader in attendance was Calumet College of St. Joseph President Dr. Amy McCormack. A member of the Founder’s Advisory Council, McCormack has seen Big Shoulders Funds’ impact firsthand.
“It’s been transformational for Northwest Indiana,” she said. “As president of the college, I’ve been visiting all the schools, and I’ve seen the spirit, dedication, and talent of the faculty and teachers at these schools. It’s amazing, and with Big Shoulders Fund supporting their additional needs such as infrastructure and curriculum development, it’s just going to make all the schools even stronger.”
To learn more about Big Shoulders Fund and how it is making an impact around the Region, visit bigshouldersfund.org.
