Moving through a school environment can be a challenge for any child, especially during a pandemic. Project H.O.P.E. is a gem of a program that relies on the help of volunteers and community support to help children with exceptionalities succeed in school life.

This year, v will be hosting their second annual golf tournament, on August 19 at 1 p.m. Strathmore Golf Course.

Karen Oliphant, Strive Program teacher, explains, “Project H.O.P.E is an organization which is led by our board of volunteers and we fundraise throughout the year. Our fundraising supports children with exceptionalities within the Golden Hill School Division. We provide music therapy and adaptive physical education and people might be aware of our gala, which we used to hold every March, and that's one of our main fundraising events throughout the year.”

The COVID-19 pandemic forced many organizations to cancel functions, and the last two Project H.O.P.E galas were cancelled. This year, they are hoping to rekindle some of the excitement that was in the air for their first golf tournament.

Participants enjoying the first annual golf tournament.

“We held our first golf tournament last year in Oxbow, which was a huge success and that meant that we could continue to offer those therapies to our students,” said Oliphant.

She hopes this year’s tournament is just as successful as the last.

When golfers arrive at this year at the Strathmore Golf Course, it will be for a fun relaxing day of golf, where family and friends can catch up on good times, sample food and beverages, and support an important organization in the Strathmore and Wheatland County community.

The tournament has a 2 p.m. shotgun start.

“That means that all the teams start at the same time on different holes at the course, so there's no hanging around waiting for a tee time. It's a fun day made up of seasoned golfers and beginners alike it will be having teams of four golfers and it will be a scramble format,” explained Oliphant. “That means that everyone plays their ball and from the furthest one hit, you carry on so that if you're not a great golfer, you can certainly get around the course and help your team.”

She says, “It's also a great fun way to get together with family and friends for an afternoon, and included in your golf fee is your golf cart and there will be food and beverages.”

After the tournament, if COVID-19 restrictions are further eased, they will be presenting team prizes, raffle prizes, and the 50-50 draw.

Project HOPE has been serving this community for over 25 years, "We provide these therapies in school for children ages 3 to 18 with exceptionalities and we are partnered with the Golden Hills School Division,” said Oliphant, noting that the school division provides space and access for children that use the therapies during school hours.

The program uses volunteers and fundraises through grants and continuous fundraising throughout the year, “Funding for us is always a challenge, but we want to keep these therapies going and we hope we can continue to do so if we can keep calling on the support of this community,” she says. “We hope that we can continue to fundraise and keep these therapies going as they are very important for our students.”

For more details visit Project H.O.P.E and to sign up today email tyler.bertamini@gmail.com