BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Raleigh General Senior Friends Volunteers and staff met Thursday morning with Mountain State Golf Classic representatives for the presentation of its annual proceeds check.
The Mountain State Golf Classic, an annual event which has run for decades, began partnering with local programs and businesses throughout the area in recent years. This follows a rebranding effort which sees proceeds from the popular event allocated to various local charitable organizations.
Mountain State Classic Committee members Mike Mays and Ryan Neal were present for the distribution of the check, and spoke favorably about the tournament’s partnership with Raleigh General Hospital.
Director of Senior Friends at Raleigh General, Debbie Peyton praised the efforts of the two in keeping the annual tournament operational, remarking,
“If it weren’t for Mike and Ryan this tournament would have gone away. They did all this hard work themselves [from the] ground up.”
In the past, proceeds from the tournament have often been delegated to the Alzheimer’s Association, which was the case for the 2020 tournament. But the committee hopes to expand the local reach of the proceeds to better benefit the community. Mays said of this expansion,
“We earmarked the Alzheimer’s Association the first couple of years. But last year we got the Senior Friends here at the hospital involved because we knew it was going to impact that much more [in regard to] different charitable organizations.”
A portion of the $8000 proceeds has already been committed for Beckley’s AWAY (Advocating a Way for Adults and Youth) women’s resource center.
Other organizations which have been discussed regarding distribution of proceeds include the Salvation Army, United Way, and of course the Alzheimer’s Association.
Neal spoke of the importance of working to serve the local area through the tournament rather, stating,
“We wanted it to be a social event that wasn’t just about a golf tournament. We wanted to give something back to the community as well.”
For more information on the National Association of Senior Friends affiliated with Raleigh General Hospital, visit their website here.
