The Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana “Fore the Region” Golf Classic opened the week with excitement at the Lost Marsh Golf Course on Monday, October 2.
Golfers enjoyed a beautiful day on the course while supporting a great cause. Big Shoulders Fund Director of Community Partnerships and Engagement Gisele Jones described how the organization is planning to use the funds raised from the outing.
“The aim of this inaugural event is to raise funds to support our newly established Founders Advisory Council Scholarship, which provides critical tuition assistance to families seeking access to high quality, values-based educational opportunities for their children,” said Jones.
Managing Director of Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana Dan Kozlowski has attended his fair share of golf outings. When it came to planning the inaugural Golf Classic for Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana, he took a risk that ultimately paid off.
“It’s a beautiful day for golfing,” Kozlowski said. “We rolled the dice having it in October since there aren’t a lot of golf outings done after September. Seeing our partners come out and spend a special day with us to bring more awareness to Big Shoulders Fund only adds to it.”
In October 2019, Big Shoulders Fund expanded its presence to Northwest Indiana, delivering critical programming to the Region. Alan Myszkowski, owner of Local 219 and member of the Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana Auxiliary Board, believes the expansion into Northwest Indiana is still fresh and supports the idea to promote the nonprofit organization in the Region through an engaging experience like the Golf Classic.
“Gaining and building awareness about Big Shoulders Fund has been one of the biggest points of emphasis out here,” Myszkowski said. “The Auxiliary Board tries to corral a lot of people that might be confused with the mission of the organization and show them how it works. Even in my foursome, the other three guys don’t know much about it. A lot of it is helping introduce it to them and seeing what can be done in support of it.”
Since the expansion, the organization has been welcomed by Northwest Indiana communities. Josh Hale, President and CEO of Big Shoulders Fund, appreciates how easily the Region has come together to develop relationships and showcase teamwork.
“The thing I love most when coming to the Region is the spirit of camaraderie and partnership with everybody working together,” Hale said. “Leadership is everything and that’s helped make the events here so successful.”
In regard to the golf outing, Hale also thought there were many positive takeaways for Big Shoulders Fund.
“Golfing is one example of how we come together as a means of getting to know one another and working together,” Hale said. “We’re always trying to find ways to create experiences to engage in. Everything is great when there’s an opportunity to make new friends, lifting our mission up and contributing to the success of the Region.”
Big Shoulders Fund is dedicated to achieving its mission of providing access to high quality, values-based education to students across Chicago and Northwest Indiana.
“There would be no organization without the sponsors, donors and volunteers,” Kozlowski said. “We are more than grateful for everybody who played a part in putting this together to tee up a great day, but also to support a great cause.”
Kozlowski says that he hopes everybody will come back for the organization’s next big event on November 15: Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana’s third annual Lend a Shoulder Day.
For more information on Big Shoulders Fund, you can visit its website.
