Avista golf tournament to benefit SCCOA

THOMPSON FALLS – The seventh annual Avista Charity Golf Tournament is scheduled to take place this weekend at the River’s Bend Golf Course in Thompson Falls.

The funds raised by this year’s benefit tournament will go towards supporting the Sanders County Council on Aging (SCCOA).

This year’s golf scramble kicks off at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15.

According to Executive Director Erin Alt of the SCCOA, 20 volunteers, joined by staff of the council on aging will be on hand to assist with the weekend tournament.   

In addition to the tournament, the annual fundraiser is offering a chance for members of the community to get involved even if they aren’t golfers.

There will a silent auction at this year’s tournament, which is open to the public and you don’t have to be a golfer to participate.

There are a number of items up for bid at this year’s silent auction including Silverwood Theme Park and Big Sky Waterslide passes, tickets to the Spokane Symphony and a week stay in a condo at the Pend Oreille Shores Resort, in addition to a number of golf packages to area courses.

All the money raised by this year’s event will support SCCOA’s effort to bring programs to area senior citizens.

“The proceeds will help us offer more availability to seniors,” Alt Said.

Alt noted some of the funds raised by the benefit golf scramble will also be used as match money on grants to replace some of the aging vehicles of the Sanders County Transportation Fleet.

“These funds will help with our fleet of older vehicles, which have a lot of miles on them,” Alt said.

Alt further explained the transportation services offered by Sanders County Transportation are not just for senior citizens and are available to members of the community seeking use of public transportation.

The tournament’s silent auction will also feature gift baskets, local artwork and gift certificates will be featured in the silent auction.

Silent auction bidding commenced at noon on Friday, Aug. 7 and runs through Saturday, Aug. 15.

Pictures of the items available at this year’s auction are currently on display at the Thompson Falls Public Library, Rocky Mountain Bank in Plains, Valley Bank in Hot Springs and at First Security Bank in Plains.

Photos of the items are also available online on the SCCOA’s website: www.sanderscountycouncilonaging.org.

Those interested in placing a bid or looking for more information please call 406-564-9455.

While the tournament is going on this Saturday, bidders will be able to view the silent auction items and place their bids at the golf course.

Or those interested can call 406-564-9455 to find out current bids and to decided whether they would like to bid on an item.

The auction is scheduled to close at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15.  

SCCOA offers a variety of programs including home delivered meals, congregate meals at area senior centers, senior commodities and nutrient supplements for those in need.

Other helping programs include information, assistance and referrals to supportive and public services for senior citizens.

In-home services are also available for seniors though the SCCOA including homemaking and respite care.  

SCCOA is not the only community organization dedicated to assisting senior citizens that will reap the benefits of the Avista tournament.

The county’s council on aging will be contributing a portion of the proceeds to area senior citizen centers that have played an active role in the preparations for this weekend’s golf competition.