EVENT FEATURES USC FOOTBALL LEGENDS TO BENEFIT AT-RISK YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES
By Madeline Zuckerman
Child Abuse continues to occur at alarming rates in our community and all across the country. Every 10 seconds in the U.S., a report of child abuse is made. And, nearly 5 children die on a daily basis from abuse related causes.
Olive Crest, known for its dedication to preventing child abuse, to treating and educating at-risk children and to preserving the family . . .“One Life at a time®,” will host its Annual Golf Invitational on Monday, February 7, 2022 at the Classic Club, located at 75-200 Classic Club Boulevard in Palm Desert, California. This event will raise much-needed funds to benefit local at-risk children and their families in Riverside County and the Desert Communities.
USC Football Legend and Olive Crest Trustee, Darnell Bing, will once again serve as Event Chair. He will be joined by other USC football teammates who will lend their support to this worthwhile cause.
“I am so impressed with the positive difference that Olive Crest makes for disadvantaged and at-risk kids,” stated Darnell Bing, Event Chair. “It was an easy decision to lead the golf tournament and work with my fellow USC teammates to fund critical programs for children in our community.”
Event registration will begin at 9:00 am for this highly-anticipated golf tournament, which will feature a Shotgun Scramble format, an Awards Reception, and Silent Auction featuring special sports memorabilia and exclusive travel packages.
A golf foursome is priced at $ 1,200, and Event Sponsorships range from $500 all the way up to $15,000. To register, go to www.olivecrest.org/ie/golf-tournament-2022
“The idea for this Olive Crest Golf Invitational was the brainchild of one of our Olive Crest Trustees, Darnell Bing,” stated Walter Mueller, Director of Development for Olive Crest. “Darnell envisioned this event as a way to not only raise funds for at-risk and disadvantaged youth, but also to bring visibility to the services and lifesaving programs Olive Crest offers. Darnell also wanted to reach out and include some of his former USC teammates in this event, as a way to introduce and educate them to the needs of youth within the foster care system. Having Darnell participate, as well as Chair this event, along with his fellow football legend teammates, makes this a very unique golfing experience and a win-win for all the at-risk children within our community,” Mueller continued.
Event Sponsors thus far include Toyota of Riverside, Kennedy Wilson Properties, and Holstrom, Block, and Parke.
“The monies raised from this event will be utilized to support expanding services within both the Coachella Valley and throughout Riverside County, stated Tracy Fitzsimmons, Executive Director of Olive Crest Inland and Desert Communities. “Over the past year, our communities have seen a troubling rise in food scarcity, domestic violence, unemployment, and need for mental health services. The Olive Crest team provides support in all of these areas. We have an obligation to extend services wherever needed, and to ensure safe and loving homes for every single child. That’s both our responsibility – – and a moral obligation. Last year, local funding supported services to over 2,600 children and families, while working towards safe and loving homes for each child in our care. However, for every child with a place in a safe and loving home, nine children are still waiting! A safe home, along with a loving family home, is precisely what breaks the cycle of hopelessness in children’s lives. Our vision of a strong family for every child means that every child would be raised and nurtured in a strong, stable, and loving family, surrounded by friends, church, and supportive community,” Fitzsimmons continued.
For additional information on this upcoming Olive Crest Invitational Golf Tournament, please contact Walter Mueller at 951–686–8500 ext. 4301 or at Walter-Mueller@olivecrest.org
About Olive Crest
Since 1973, Olive Crest has transformed the lives of more than 150,000 abused, neglected, and at-risk children and their families.
Established, proven, and respected, Olive Crest serves nearly 4,000 children and families each day throughout California, Nevada, and the Pacific Northwest.
