Red Cross to host annual golf tourney at Lake Mohawk June 19

NEWTON - The Sussex County chapter of the American Red Cross will stage its annual golf tournament at the Lake Mohawk Golf Club June 19, announced Patricia S. Day, chapter executive director. “Our annual golf tournament is a memorable day for everyone who participates,” said Day. “Not only are we looking forward to a great day of golfing, but our dedicated golf tournament committee is doing a great job in planning special events and a sumptuous lunch and dinner at which everyone can relax and network with old friends and meet new ones. “It’s a special day for the Red Cross in Sussex County,” she continued. ”We invite everyone to come play with us and we hope to set new records for participation by individuals, as well as small and large companies throughout the county.” Among the special events planned for the June 19 golf outing is a short game clinic, free to all participants in the tournament, a silent auction, and a variety of challenging contests with prizes and awards. The day will begin with registration and a continental breakfast between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. Golfers can break for a buffet lunch on the Lake Mohawk County Club Terrace from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and then return to the links. Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and putting contest finals begin at 6 p.m., followed at 7 p.m. by the evening dinner reception. Golf awards commence at 7:30 p.m. The evening will close with a raffle and silent auction at 8 p.m. All golfing, dining, special events and contests will aid the chapter, which raises its operating budget through donations and local fund-raising activities. Proceeds from the golf tournament remain in and are used in support of the chapter’s mission: disaster relief in Sussex County. The local Red Cross responds to fires, floods and all other natural and man-made disasters in the county with “hands on” assistance to shelter, clothe and feed victims, as well as providing financial relief when necessary. Since disasters are not scheduled events, the Red Cross is and must be ready when a disaster occurs. This takes organization, planning, and money, and the responsibilities have grown with the complexity and magnitude of disasters in today’s world. More than 80 county volunteers were extensively trained and sent to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The chapter has trained more than 500 volunteers to react to emergencies, or assist with disaster training, as well as the scheduled blood drives, life-saving, first-aid, CPR classes, and youth services provided on an ongoing basis to Sussex County citizens. Red Cross also supports members of the U.S. military and their families when a crisis occurs that involves them. For information, call 973 579-1600 or log on to sussexredcross.org.