Having a good time to help a good cause, ERA Vacation Properties hosted their first annual “Agents of Hope” Scramble Golf Tournament on Wednesday to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), specifically the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Division. Throughout the golf tournament, ERA raised $15,000.
“We exceeded our goals and are thrilled to present $15,000 to the ALS Division of MDA,” Hanna Soffel wrote in an e-mail.
“ERA as a whole really encourages all of their franchises to do something, typically a golf tournament, to raise money for MDA,” said Soffel, part of the organizational team. “And the reason we choose to support ALS specifically is because my Dad, Bill Soffel who owns the company, his grandmother passed away of ALS in 1987 and then my grandparents had a friend who was diagnosed with ALS and passed away about 5 years ago … so we thought it would be a good cause to support.”
ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, occurs when damage is done to someone’s motor neurons.
“(ALS) is a disease of the motor neurons, which are the nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movement,” Soffel said. “They are not sure why this occurs, but the motor neurons die and the muscles they control become weak and then paralyzed.”
The golf tournament featured many different activities during the tournament for adults to enjoy, including a “Jell-O shot” hole, an on-course Mojito bar and a bidding hole, which was a $5 bet to hit the green on the first time, and if they did they won double their money.
“Just fun, little extra ways to raise money,” Soffel said.
The fundraiser, which occurred at the Chautauqua Golf Club, also had many informational displays that included information about the symptoms and the disease itself. After receiving the diagnosis, those suffering from ALS usually live three to five years; however, a rare few live a decade or longer.
“It is a really sad disease because even though your muscles don’t work, your brain is still fully functioning,” Soffel said.
Soffel hopes to continue the tournament and bring awareness of the disease to the surrounding community.
“The tournament is a really exciting opportunity for our company and our family to let people learn about ALS as a disease and provide a way for our communities (to know more) … it’s a good way to bring everyone together and raise money for this good cause,” Soffel said.
The overall winning team was James Campbell, Jane Campbell, Raymond Ayers and Kathleen Ayers. The top women’s team was Judy Briggs, Martha Pashley, Cindy Janson and Ann Wallace. The top co-ed team was Mindy Weaver, Krystal Waite, Joe Colosimo and Vivian Swan.
For those who wish to donate to the ALS division or find out more information about next year’s tournament are to call Wayne Weaver at 716-789-2600 or e-mail him at wayne.weaver@era.com.
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