Local Sports Journal

Before the 2014-15 season gets officially underway, the Muskegon Lumberjacks are excited to announce their First Annual Jacks Classic Golf Outing presented by Mercy Health happening on Monday, September 15th at the Muskegon Country Club with a shotgun start slated for 12:00 pm.

Proceeds from the event to benefit the Muskegon Lumberjacks Charitable Foundation, which provides support to the Lumberjacks Reading Caravan program, Junior Jacks Youth Hockey Association, and additional youth hockey programs, camps, and clinics. The Muskegon Lumberjacks Charitable Foundation (MLCF) strives to enrich the West Michigan Community by creating and supporting educational, recreational, and social programs that encourage the healthy development of youth and families through an association with hockey and the Muskegon Lumberjacks.

“Our organization, along with the Foundation’s Board of Directors, are elated to kick off the 2014-15 season with a wonderful fundraiser that allows us to continue to serve Muskegon’s youth both in the classroom and on the ice,” said Community Relations Director Andrea Clancy.

“The First Annual Jacks Classic Golf Outing will not only be a vital piece in our efforts to give back, but also helps showcase the expansion and highlights of our growing non-profit portion.” The Reading Caravan program helps pave the way for students to be successful in and out of the classroom setting.  The Caravan is an incentive-based program designed to motivate young students with player visits, prizes, and arena events.

In the 2013-14 school year, the Caravan increased to 12 participating schools equaling over 4,000 participants and covering 10 school districts.

Those schools were Beechnau Elementary, Cardinal Elementary, Churchill Elementary, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary, Edgewood Elementary, Muskegon Catholic Central, Nelson Elementary, Oakridge Lower and Upper Elementary, Reeths-Puffer Central Elementary, Shettler Elementary, and Timberland Charter Academy.

Caravan prizes consisted of a pair of ticket vouchers to 2,617 achievers, 2,065 water bottles, 1,686 Drawstring Backpacks, and 1,442 Reading Caravan T-Shirts.  In addition, all participants received a free voucher to the Lumberjacks’ Reading Caravan Night game on March 29th against the Lincoln Stars. The Lumberjacks Youth Hockey Association cultivates an environment where its members have the opportunity to develop their character on and off the ice that includes academia.

The association instills leadership and citizenship skills along with positive values such as teamwork, sportsmanship, and integrity. The Junior Jacks program offers programs including Learn to Skate, Cross-Ice, and other development programs.

Registration for the outing begins at 10:30 am prior to the shotgun start with cocktails and a special meet-and-great with the Lumberjacks staff and team to follow at 5:30 pm.  Dinner is served at 6:30 pm that includes a Foundation presentation along with a raffle and auction of numerous prizes.  Breakfast is provided by Tim Hortons Café and Bake Shop, and the turn food is provided by Hab’s Good Eats n’ Treats.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for the golf outing by contacting Brittany Gonyon at (231) 206-4116 or [email protected].  To book your foursome today, please contact either Joe Abdelkader at (231) 855-6284 or Todd Robinson at (231) 955-6086 or [email protected].

Businesses or individuals are also welcome to donate raffle items, silent auction items, large ticket items, or any in-kind donation and can contact Andrea Clancy at (989) 327-7646 or [email protected] for additional information or to purchase dinner tickets.

All in-kind donations will be recognized in the event program. The Muskegon Lumberjacks Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization meaning any donation would be tax-deductible. For additional information on the golf outing including an official brochure, team sign-up, or sponsorship opportunities, please visit the Lumberjacks’ official team website at www.muskegonlumberjacks.com under the “Community” tab.