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Joni and Friends New England, an organization that seeks to “bring practical help and Gospel hope to people with disabilities around the world,” is holding its annual Golf Invitational fundraiser at Renaissance Golf Club.
According to its website, “Each golfer is invited to approach the day not simply as a tournament, but as an opportunity to make a significant and generous investment in transforming lives with the hope of Christ. After your round of golf, we will kick off the evening with dinner followed by an inspiring program featuring stories of families whose lives have been forever changed through this ministry.” Joni and Friends New England Area Director Maria DeGenova describes the organization.
“Joni and Friends New England is an area office of a larger international organization called Joni and Friends,” DeGenova said. “It’s our vision to see a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity and their place in the body of Christ,” she tells WHAV.
The invitational is open to a total of 72 golfers, and Joni and Friends seek to raise $120,000. DeGenova says, “It’s a small community of 72 golfers looking to make a significant impact. If you’re almost as passionate about giving as you are about playing golf, Joni and Friend’s would love to hear from you.”
DeGenova says Joni and Friends’ first golf tournament took place in 2021 at Renaissance. She says Renaissance provides Joni and Friend’s with the course for an entire day, which gives families of those with disabilities a chance to have fun and mingle with golfers as well.
The invitational takes place Monday, Sept. 14. It opens with registration at 10:30 a.m., followed by a shotgun start beginning at noon; fundraising dinner for participants, spouses and guests at 5:15 p.m.; and concludes at 7:45 p.m. The group said spouses who do not golf are invited for dinner and the program.
DeGenova invites those that want to learn about making a significant impact through the Joni and Friends golf community or are a family living with disability who wants to get connected to email [email protected] or visit joniandfriends.org/new-england. DeGenova says that families looking for a church community, community of belonging or a support group are also welcomed to reach out.
The New England office is at 370 Merrimack St., Unit 115, Lawrence.