Golf tournament another example of LaGrange giving back to less fortunate

Published 10:30 pm Friday, June 16, 2017

It’s hard for most of us to envision being homeless. It’s not that we haven’t had hard times — it’s just that we’re lucky enough to have avoided major pitfalls and are blessed enough to have a steady job and family that cares enough to lend a helping hand when we need it.

Unfortunately, not everyone is lucky enough to have that kind of situation.

The LaGrange-Troup County Homeless Coalition was formed to help people that need a little help in finding permanent housing. The coalition held its first golf tournament as a fundraiser Friday at Highland Golf Course and by all measures of the word, it was a complete success.

Dozens of people gave up time from their busy workweek to give back to the coalition.

Sure, golf is fun and a way to relax, but the entry fee went toward helping the homeless people in Troup County.

It’s probably difficult for people to fathom that there are actual homeless people living in this area.

Organizers of the tournament said that’s because many of the homeless people in LaGrange have a place to shower or to get food, so they don’t look like the Hollywood stereotypical homeless person.

But these people still need help.

Many of them may be single parents or have run into health problems and a large pile of bills.

The homeless coalition said there were nearly 100 homeless adults in this area in 2016.

Based on the work all of the volunteers with the coalition is doing, that number will continue to dwindle in the future.

There are many great nonprofit organizations here in LaGrange that could really use your help if you’ve got a few dollars to spare for a donation, and the homeless coalition is certainly one of them.

Through the golf tournament, they hope to bring in Action Ministries to find permanent housing for 23 homeless people in LaGrange.

They also need to hire a case manager to handle those cases.

A little at a time, the coalition is truly making a difference in this community and next year, if they bring back the golf tournament, we hope to see an even bigger field.

What equates to one day of golf for the rest of us could be life changing for the person who receives the financial assistances.