SWINGING WITH PURPOSE is making a huge difference

Swinging With Purpose (TM) continues to make a difference for the women and children in our community! The inaugural “Battle of the Sexes” was held at Quail West Golf and Country Club. Captains Nancy Lopez (PGA Hall of Famer) and Chris DiMarco (PGA Professional and Golf Channel’s Morning Drive host) led a fun-filled day where fourteen couples battled for our beneficiaries. Captain DiMarco led the guys to victory with the biggest winner being the organizations serving women and children in our community.

“It’s All About Nancy” luncheon was held at Stonebridge Country Club where 150 guests enjoyed an afternoon Q & A and a “listen and learn” on the 18th green. Both events were sold out and the two days activities generated more than $85,000 in net proceeds. We extend a special thank you to Nancy Lopez, Chris DiMarco, and the Quail West and Stonebridge members for their continued support of our mission. Because of these collective efforts, we will exceed $300,000 to our beneficiaries in our fourth year. Due to the generosity of our golfing communities at large, WE are making a HUGE difference for these organizations.

Golf legend, Nancy Lopez, has been our spokesperson since the inception of Swinging With Purpose™. It was a chance encounter that I had with Nancy Lopez at the CME event here in Naples in November, 2012. We shared our passions for women and children and from that connection, the SWP mission unfolded. Nancy has given her heart and commitment to our mission. And when she comes to Naples on our behalf, the love and respect that we have for her is unbelievable and truly heartfelt. We are forever grateful to Nancy Lopez for lending her name and her heart to our mission.

Swinging With Purpose™ (SWP) held its inaugural golf tournament in 2013 benefiting the Shelter for Abused Women & Children. The second year, its beneficiary was PACE Center for Girls Immokalee, where the proceeds were used to implement a wellness and fitness program, the first in a PACE facility, for the girls. The program still exists and is having a positive impact on the girls and their self-esteem. All golf tournaments to date have been completely sold-out with a field of 120+ players. Mark your calendars as the 2017 tournament will be held at Kensington Golf and Country Club on May 7th, 2017. Details will be available soon on the SWP website.

In 2014, SWP formed its own 501(c)(3) organization which now allows the Board of Directors to carefully select multiple beneficiaries. Through various golf venues, we invite golfing communities throughout the Naples area to “swing with purpose” for these grass roots organizations. Because SWP operates with a totally volunteer Board of Directors, 95 cents of every dollar collected in 2016 went directly to our beneficiaries.

It should be noted that SWP raises funds to meet specific needs of the carefully selected beneficiaries. We pride ourselves on “needs” based fundraising. We know our beneficiaries and our donations are very NEEDS specific. We are respectful and responsible with YOUR donor dollars. Our fundraising may be a combination of monetary and in-kind donations. It is our goal to increase exposure to the community that these grass roots organizations exist.

Our beneficiaries become family and we encourage their collaboration amongst each other to provide support to each other. Special note: Our beneficiaries to date include The Shelter for Abused Women & Children, PACE Center for Girls Immokalee, Our Mother’s Home, LACES of Love, Dress for Success, Providence House and Baby Basics. Because of the overwhelming success of the November fundraising efforts, we will take on a new beneficiary, Sunlight Home, for whom we will purchase a multi-passenger van.

For more information on Swinging With Purpose™, visit our website at www.swingingwithpurpose.org or email Diana Riley, Founder, at Diana@swingingwithpurpose.org. We are always interested in volunteers who might be interested in donating their time, tokens and talents. We believe “to whom much is given, much is expected.”

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