This has been one crazy year! If you can still remember a time before COVID, you may recall that we announced our annual “Building Unity in the Community” Golf Tournament last Spring. The tournament was going to be played on April 3^rd but was cancelled due to the pandemic. Now that our curve seems to be flattening, we feel it would be safe to conduct the tournament.

Let me remind you why this tournament is so important. I have mentioned in previous articles about the success and notoriety of our Crime Prevention and Intervention Unit (CPIU) with the A&E broadcast of “Beyond Scared Straight”, highlighting one of our agency’s many juvenile intervention programs. The CPIU, headed up by Captain Ted Thomas, manages 17 distinct juvenile intervention programs to address the variety of challenges we face. We try to address each challenge the best we possibly can with the resources we have available. I firmly believe that if we can change a person’s destructive behavior at an early point in their life, there is a direct benefit to the individual, their family, and the community. Additionally, the CPIU works with families assisting with school supplies and clothing needs. Much of the funding for these CPIU programs comes from our “Building Unity in the Community” golf tournament held each year. That is why Captain Thomas and I are asking for your assistance. 

Our “Building Unity in the Community” Golf Tournament will be held November 6, 2020 at the Flint River Municipal Golf Course, 2000 McAdams Road, Albany, Georgia. Golfer registration will begin at 11:00 a.m. with lunch to follow at 11:30 a.m. Shotgun start will be at 12:30 p.m. Registration is $65.00 per person with 4 person teams. The tournament will be a scramble format with cash prizes. There will also be prizes for “closest to the pin”, “hole in one”, and “longest drive.” For those who don’t play golf but are interested in helping support the event, there are $100.00 hole sponsorships and corporate sponsorships available. All proceeds from this event will be used solely for our CPIU programs.       

I receive many invitations to participate in golf tournaments and other fundraisers throughout the year. I know some of you probably receive these same invitations and you try to balance which ones to support. I am asking you to consider partnering with us this year. 

Although we will never be able to determine the number of lives that have been impacted by these programs, I know that there have been many. I have seen the changes and heard the stories from many who have been through one of our programs, dating back to the days of “Deputy Dawg” Frank Sumner.  For every individual we reach, there are others we don’t. We desperately need funding in order to reach as many young people as possible. Your assistance and participation with our “Building Unity in the Community” Golf Tournament could give us the chance to reach more. 

If you need additional information or you are interested in partnering with us, contact Captain Ted Thomas at (229) 302-3638, or our office at (229) 430-6508. 

Thank you for your support and God bless!