Teeing it up for missing kids

BY MARC LALONDE



West Islanders love to golf and give to children’s charities, and Golf-O-Max in Dorval is banking on just that for the next few days.

The indoor-golf outlet on Dorval Avenue is giving customers a chance to give back to the community and have some fun while they do it by donating half of all golf proceeds to the Missing Children’s Network Radiothon of Hope, to be broadcast Saturday at Fairview Pointe Claire shopping centre. Even better, when the day of the Radiothon comes around, Golf-O-Max will donate 100 per cent of golf proceeds to the Missing Children’s Network, owner Wayne Blunt announced.

The indoor-golf facility charges customers an average of about $25 per 18-hole round and started donating 50 per cent of golf proceeds Monday and will continue that through Friday. Saturday is the big day, with every dime from golf proceeds going straight to the Missing Children’s Network.

“We’ve been involved with (the Missing Children’s Network) for about five years now,� Blunt said. “Every year our participation keeps growing. We’ve devoted a week to it this year, and it’s something we’re pretty excited about.�

Blunt said the death of a friend’s child was what prompted him to start helping out the Missing Children’s Network with an annual campaign.

“A friend of mine lost their son at a young age a few years back. Children are dear to all our hearts, and to mine, for sure. I plan to repeat the experience. We’re at five years and going strong,� he said.

It’s a win-win for West Islanders — especially those among you who are golfers. Play a couple of rounds and help out a good cause at the same time.

“You get to swing when the weather outside wouldn’t otherwise allow it or in the middle of winter,� Blunt said. “What’s better than that?�

Golf-O-Max marketing manager Tina Clark said although none of the facility’s staff have any kids who have gone missing, the safety of children is still a big deal to them.

“Luckily, none of us have ever had to be in that situation, but it’s something that’s important to all of us,� she said.

The Missing Children’s Network Radiothon of Hope is scheduled for Saturday and will be broadcast all day on CJAD 800 AM from the Fairview Pointe Claire shopping centre. The Missing Children’s Network will also be on hand with tons of fun games and safety clinics for all ages, as well as a ton of prizes up for grabs in the raffle. Montreal Alouettes cheerleaders will also be on hand to liven up the crowd and former Canadian basketball Olympian Trevor Williams will also be around. The Radiothon of Hope starts at 9 a.m. and runs all day. Golf-O-Max is located at 212 Dorval Ave. For more information on their promotion, call 514-633-8881.