Cary, NC – More than 90 golfers gathered at the MacGregor Downs Country Club Monday, June 6 for the 2022 Old Dominion Rotary Golf Tournament fundraising event for Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina (BGHNC).
The annual event sponsored by Old Dominion Freight Line for Rotary Clubs from throughout the state raised more than $25,000 to support the children and families served by BGHNC. This event has raised more than $321,000 over 16 years.
“Without the support provided by fundraising events like this and the generosity of individuals and organizations like Old Dominion and Rotary Clubs, Boys and Girls Homes would not be here,” said BGHNC President/CEO Ricky Creech. “The government funding provided does not cover the true costs of meeting the needs of the children and youth in our care. You have saved lives through Boys and Girls Homes.”
Rotarians sponsor one of nine cottages for the children served on the Lake Waccamaw campus of BGHNC. The non-profit agency is dedicated to providing a continuum of care to meet the physical, emotional, mental, behavioral, social, educational, and spiritual needs of children, youth, and families in distress or at-risk. BGHNC offers adoption, family and therapeutic foster care, children’s therapy, family support and advocacy services in addition to the residential care services.
The 24 teams of golfers enjoyed a post-round meal and presentation of awards.
“On behalf of Old Dominion and the leadership team, let me say thank you all for doing this,” said Old Dominion VP Chip Overbey during the post round meal. “I think this has been going on for 16 years and this is our 15th year being a part of it. Kids are something that we spend a lot of time on in what we do. I’ve often heard it said, and I think it is very true, it’s not how many friends you can count that you have, it’s the number of friends you can count on. And you folks, these kids can count on. We appreciate it.”
The tournament included prizes for lowest team net score, lowest team gross score, and closest to the pin on two holes.
The lowest net score team at 29 under par included Mark McMasters, Greg Creed, Kendrick Alston, and Ryan Wolverton. The lowest gross score team won on a scorecard playoff and included Fred Hight, Mort Hight, Jerry Dellinger and Mickey Grizzard.
“We truly appreciate everyone coming out,” said Charlie Hatch, event co-coordinator. “We are so appreciative of all the support we receive to hold this event and help the children and families of Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina. We have great friends in Rotary.”
Fellow event co-coordinator Sanders Dallas added, “I’m grateful that this tournament could happen to benefit the children. Boys and Girls Homes does so much good.”
Since 1954, BGHNC has helped more than 7,500 children and families break the cycle of neglect and abuse.
“We have stories people don’t want to hear, because it’s a hidden society, a hidden lifestyle, a hidden culture all across the United States,” said Creech. “Unfortunately, here in the 21st century, with all this technology, and with all the government assistance that’s out there and juvenile justice that’s out there, rates of child abuse and neglect are not decreasing. As a matter of fact, it’s increasing, especially in these years of COVID-19.”
According to Creech, 96 percent of the youth that come into care at BGHNC are thinking about committing suicide.
“All they can think about is death because they believe that death is better than the life they’ve been living under the hands of their abusers and neglectors,” Creech said. Fortunately, we have a new treatment model, we call it the Waccamaw Way, there at our main campus at Lake Waccamaw. It is now trauma-informed, evidence based, and outcomes driven.
“When a kid comes in, we do a complete, holistic assessment – medically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually with them because I’m not satisfied, nor am I interested in, warehousing kids,” Creech continued. “I’m interested in treating kids where they’re at in their mental and physical health because we do no justice by getting by until they turn 18 and releasing them out into the world.”
Through the Waccamaw Way, the youth’s days are filled with meaningful activities including formal and informal therapeutic activities.
“Our heroes are the men and women that work every day with our kids,” said Creech. “Those who participate in events like this, and provide financial support, are also heroes because they allow us to do innovative therapies to step up our game to create more success stories for our youth.”
About Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina
Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina, Inc., has been helping children since 1954. Since then, more than 7,500 children have benefitted from the services of the not-for-profit, 501(c)3 agency. Its mission is to provide a comprehensive array of services for children and youth who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect or other family dysfunction. BGHNC offers adoption, family and therapeutic foster care, Success Coach services to prevent children from coming into foster care, and free children’s therapy, as well as residential care on the campus at Lake Waccamaw. The campus features a SACS-accredited school with a middle and high school curriculum, vocational education, recreation facilities, farm, chapel and cottage life. As many as 320 children are cared for through the residential, community-based services, and school program provided by BGHNC at any given time. BGHNC operates its program, services and activities in compliance with federal nondiscrimination laws. BGHNC is nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation.
