The inaugural Swing Into Action golf tournament, a benefit for Eagle Valley Children’s Home in Carson City, brought more than 100 golfers from around the region to Silver Oak Golf Golf Course on Saturday, teeing up in support of the local non-profit that provides services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Eagle Valley Children’s Home is a support program in Carson City that provides services to people with disabilities. These services include a residential program at Eagle Valley Children’s Home and a respite program provided in family homes. Eagle Valley Children’s Home has been open in Carson City since 1946.
“This (tournament) is our first and it has come together nicely with great community support from our sponsors, the golfers who signed up and the many (raffle items) and gift bags donated,” said Donna Clarke, Executive Director of Eagle Valley Children’s Home. “There are 108 golfers, exceeding the goal of 90 so we are happy about that.”
Clarke noted next year will mark 80 years of being in Carson City with the organization planning a big celebration around the anniversary.
“The care we give to our clients is amazing and our staff all do it out of love. For me, I’ve been here for 31 years and I love going to work everyday. They give back to me,” said Clarke.
Eagle Valley Children’s Home clients and staff were at hole No. 4, greeting those participating golfers. Jessica Torres, an Eagle Valley Children’s Home staff member and volunteer coordinator, was among the group cheering on golfers at hole No. 4.
She explained that throughout the day, there would be three groups of EVCH clients and staff members present to help sell t-shirts to raise funds for the residential and respite programs.
“For all these people to come out and support us — this is a huge gift,” said Torres. “As a nonprofit we survive off these donations and fundraisers. This is a fantastic turnout. The support of the community is amazing.”
Eagle Valley Children’s Home has 18 clients who live at the facility full time. They also offer a respite program currently serving 60 families in the community with a waiting list of more than 50 families. The respite program provides families help for up to 30 hours a month.
Saturday’s fundraiser “is helping us get the waiting list shorter,” Clarke said. “This tournament will allow us to continue the top services we do for our clients and respite. We do lots of training for staff so everybody’s well-versed in all the disabilities our clients have. We have really good caregivers and that is important.”
In 1976, Eagle Valley Children’s Home became a fully accredited intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Eagle Valley Children’s Home is governed by a volunteer board of directors, is licensed by the State of Nevada and operates under the regulations of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Eagle Valley Children’s Home is fully accredited and has provided nearly 80 years of service and respite for families, serving the Carson City, Carson Valley and Reno communities.
Clients at EVCH receive active treatment along with medical, dental, nutritional, occupational, physical and speech therapies through individualized programs plans that are developed by staff teams.
Golfers Robert Montgomery, John Herring, Michael Craig and Barry Roberts teamed up Saturday as a foursome to play in the tournament fundraiser.
“It supports the local kids that need help, that’s why we’re here,” said Michael Craig.
Corinna Steele, who represents Sierra Specialty Pharmacy that provides medication for Eagle Valley Children’s Home clients, was one of the many sponsors of the event.
“We are so happy to be involved. We believe in the cause and are grateful to be here,” she said.
A full list of the many golf tournament sponsors will be posted in an update as soon as they are made available. Go here for information about Eagle Valley Children’s Home.
