Sun and Fun for a Great Cause! The Canadian Centre for Men and Families’s First Annual ‘9 & Play’ Charity Golf Tournament a Tremendous Success

The 3rd Annual 9 & Play at The Club at Bond Head from 33seven on Vimeo.

 

Report by Jack Troughton

 

It was an amazing day at The Club at Bond Head as much for the gorgeous weather as for the games and activities organized to raise funds for the programs at the Canadian Centre for Men and Families. Participants hit the links in Newmarket for 9 holes of golf, competing for an array of generously donated prizes.

Father-son teams Michael & Calen and Brad & Patrick

Far from ending on the golf course, after lunch participants tried their hands at the poker table (pun intended) for even more prizes, including the grand prize of two tickets to see the Jays play the Minnesota Twins on August 28th. Some participants opted instead to swap their seat at the table for another 9 holes.

Emcee Butch Carter, former head coach of the Toronto Raptors joined us to announce golf and raffle winners. He personalized his participation by sharing the role his family has played in the success he’s achieved. As many can attest, the support of a loving family, and the privilege to pass those benefits on to the next generation, are key ingredients.

emcee Butch Carter with the Centre’s Robert Samery and Justin Trottier

Unfortunately, not everyone is so lucky, and that’s where the Centre for Men and Families comes in. The programs offered, from one-on-one counselling to legal clinics and peer support groups, aim to fill in the gaps left by the services available in our community. Too few of the programs that have been available up until now have sought to address the unique struggles of men and boys.

When he first announced he would be the emcee at our tournament, Butch received much applause, but unfortunately it came with a little bit of social media blowback criticizing his association. Rather than be cowed, he told us how his resolved was quickened by this response. He knew immediately just how important it was to stand up for the needs of half the human population, and the agencies that help them.

Domestic violence survivor Michael Healey then spoke about his experience as a male victim of a crime typically conceived of as a “women’s issue.” Far from being a gendered issue, Michael’s testimony showed not only the unexplored side of male victims’ experiences, but the unique challenges faced by male victims of this social ill.

All the generous funds raised at the event go to support the CCMF in its free programs and services for men and families. Our motto is “no one is invincible.” But just as important as offering these services is encouraging the males in our lives to access help when they need it. Each of us must find the strength to be vulnerable when “manning up” could result in a man down.

We are so thankful to the many individuals and companies that acknowledged the importance of supporting boys, men and families by sponsoring the tournament, including:

Oberon Capital Corporation
BlueLine Distribution
Instore
Moore McLean Insurance Group
Collins Barrow
Westmount Group
Greybrook
Investigative Solutions Network Inc
Horodynsky Farms
ZipTelecom
Himelfarb
POI Business Interiors
Display It Graphics
MagaLive
Tridel
The Office Mover
Strategic Coach

Thank you also to our amazing in-kind sponsors: Frankie Tomattos; Back To Massage; Absolute Comedy; Leslie Jones Restaurant; Maple Leafs Sports + Entertainment; Mysteriously Yours Dinner Theatre; the Ontario Science Centre; the Toronto Rock; Umbra; Marineland; Press Clean; Padley Media Group Inc.; and Independent Arbonne Consultant Jean Mercier.

And a very special thank you to the event’s co-hosts HS & Partners LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants and 33seven, and The Charger Foundation. These organizations, and the team they assembled, are responsible for an event that will prove to be a turning point in the growth of Toronto’s first hub for the health and well-being of boys and men.

If this is the first time you’ve heard about the Canadian Centre for Men and Families, please take a moment to review what the Centre has to offer you or someone you love. www.menandfamilies.org

Bruce Croxon formerly of the Dragon’s Den, joins us on the course