The Buy-A-Day Golf Tournament was based on just that premise – if we can contribute a gift that would cover one extra day of shelter to the homeless, maybe we could help100 more people do the same.
The Bennett Family of El Dorado Hills held their first Buy-A-Day Golf Tournament at Empire Ranch in Folsom seven years ago. This year’s tournament was held on Saturday, October 16th with110 golfers out enjoying perfect golfing weather and hoping for that coveted hole-in-one shot that would award them the brand new Mercedes Benz provided by Mercedes of El Dorado Hills. The tournament was followed by dinner and a lively silent auction and raffle drawing emceed by Eileen Javora of KCRA Channel 3.
Several years ago, at the urging of family friends and business partners who didn’t play golf but wanted to contribute, the Buy-A-Day Boutique was born. Each year, about six different cottage businesses agree to bring wares for sale and share the profits with The Fund for the Homeless at the Foundation. Local businesses also donate items for the ever popular silent auction as well. The boutique has been held at a private home in El Dorado Hills where women socialize, shop, and make a difference for the benefit of those in need.
Two years ago, the Bennett’s oldest son Alex took over the helm of this two-day event and has rallied individuals, businesses and organizations to “buy a day” and then some. In 2009, the money raised from the event was the impetus for the development of the Fund for the Homeless at the El Dorado Community Foundation. Since its inception, the fund has been able to make grants to fund the emergency housing program managed by United Outreach, and provide start-up funding for the Community Resource Center. Both of these organizations effectively and tirelessly serve the homeless population in El Dorado County.
The Foundation’s hallmark is to use donor gifts to make informed, educated, effective grants back to the community. They will stay focused on that mission again this year as they receive and thank the many generous donors of this year’s Buy-A-Day events.
The El Dorado Community Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 established in 1993 for the purpose of strengthening our community both now and for future generations. The Foundation solicits and manages charitable gifts through endowed funds. Grants are awarded throughout El Dorado County in support of local students, nonprofit services and programs. Individuals or organizations interested in learning more about the Foundation or how the Foundation may be able to help them realize their charitable dreams are invited to contact Bill Roby, Executive Director, El Dorado Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1388, 3097 Cedar Ravine, Placerville, CA 95667, 530-622-5621, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please visit our website at www.eldoradocf.org.
