Golf tournament benefits grieving children

ESCONDIDO – Everyone in the community is invited to attend Swing Fore Hope Golf Classic at Twin Oaks Golf Course in San Marcos Friday, Sept. 15. The tournament and awards dinner are being hosted by The Elizabeth Hospice.

Proceeds from Swing Fore Hope Golf Classic make it possible for the organization to offer children’s bereavement services free of charge to any family in the community, including families who do not have an affiliation with The Elizabeth Hospice. These services include on-campus grief support groups in school districts throughout San Diego County and Southwest Riverside County, peer grief support groups in their Children’s Bereavement Centers in Escondido and Mission Valley, and Camp Spero, a summer bereavement camp for children seven to 17 years old. It also includes grief and loss training for school professionals and crisis intervention for community organizations.

With Disabled American Veterans as Premier Sponsor, Swing Fore Hope Golf Classic has a Shotgun Start at 1 p.m. In addition to 18 holes on a championship golf course, tournament participants will enjoy lunch, on-course games and an awards dinner.

“Children’s bereavement is more prevalent than many people realize, with one in five children experiencing the death of someone close to them by the age of 18,” Sarah McSpadden, president and CEO of The Elizabeth Hospice, said. “Children who have lost a significant person in their lives are at risk of depression, anxiety and isolation which may lead to poor school attendance, lowered academic achievement, behavioral problems or substance abuse. But when their grief is addressed early, the risk of engagement in maladaptive lifestyle choices can be decreased. That’s why we offer a wide range of services to our children in our community who are grieving.”

The Elizabeth Hospice is a nonprofit health care leader that provides medical and emotional support to patients and families facing the challenges associated with an advanced life-limiting illness and restores hope to children and adults grieving the loss of a loved one. The organization’s comprehensive Children’s Bereavement Program helps make it possible for children and teens to have a brighter future.

Registration for the Swing Fore Hope Golf Classic tournament and dinner is now open at http://www.elizabethhospice.org/swing.

For more information and sponsorship opportunities, email [email protected] or call Tylie Daniels at 760-796-3708.

Submitted by The Elizabeth Hospice.