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Local golf tournament raises $45K for diabetes, educational support charities

Organizers say tournament's earnings broke record
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The Copperbelt Classic Society announced the fundraising total of its charity golf tournament held June 7. (Pixabay image)

The Copperbelt Classic Society announced in a June 18 press release that a record $45,000 was raised during its annual charity golf tournament held at Meadow Lakes Golf Club on June 7. 

The Yukon Type-1 Diabetes (T1D) Support Network and the Learning Disabilities Association of Yukon (LDAY) Centre for Learning each received $22,500 from funds raised through the tournament. LDAY works towards supporting and raising awareness for children and adults with learning difficulties. 

A total of $14,200 alone was raised by auctioning off signed hockey memorabilia from former NHL player Tim Hunter, Dylan Cozens of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and Western Hockey League player Gavin McKenna of the Medicine Hat Tigers. Hunter, a former Calgary Flames right winger and 1989 Stanley Cup champion, made an appearance at this year’s tournament and golfed with the Nuway Crushing team. 

A portion of the funds raised will go directly toward the purchase of blood glucose monitoring machines for use in Whitehorse clinics, reducing the need for blood draws at the hospital, according to Yukon T1D Support Network president Marney Paradis.  

“This event helps people living with type-1 diabetes, helps reduce the strain on the hospital and ultimately saves taxpayers money,” she said in the press release. 

The LDAY Centre of Learning plans to use the money raised to support struggling learners through summer literacy tutoring programs in Whitehorse and a literacy summer camp in Dawson City. Many Yukon students and families will benefit greatly from the programming these funds support, executive director Stephanie Hammond said in the press release.

“We know that these experiences can help change the trajectory of success in school for children,” she added. 

The Copperbelt Classic Society was founded in early 2018 by Scott Kent, the Yukon Party MLA for Copperbelt South, and Amanda Leslie to raise awareness and funds. The tournament brought together 70 golfers, most of whom have participated since day one, per Kent. 

Next year’s charity golf tournament is set for June 6, 2025, at Meadow Lakes Golf Club.