Leacock Founder & President Peter Oliver, welcoming guests at Granite
This past Monday September, 15, 2014, the Leacock Foundation, spearheaded by a fantastic Committee and generously supported by sponsors and partners, held its 21st Annual Golf Tournament, Dinner, and Auction, at Granite Golf Club and Auberge du Pommier. The day was a huge success, with 100+ Leacock members, guests, and partners participating in an effort to raise money to support Leacock’s signature Triangle of Hope programs, which help unlock potential in youth in Toronto and the Eastern Cape of South Africa.
Sunrise on the way to Granite Golf Club
A beautiful sunrise accompanied us on the drive up to Granite Golf Club, where we were greeted by wonderful staff and Leacock Founder and President, Peter Oliver. Guests enjoyed a buffet breakfast in the clubhouse, before the shotgun start at 10:15am. Hole sponsors provided fantastic prizes, food, and drink, while the perfectly groomed holes at Granite made for a great day of golf.
The Dinner and Silent and Live Auctions at Auberge du Pommier in the evening were also a large success, with several more Leacock members and guests joining to enjoy the food, and participate in bidding! To review all the wonderful items so generously donated by a wide variety of individuals and businesses, for the Silent and Live Auctions, click here. A highlight of the evening was when former Derrydown student and Leacock Foundation volunteer Abukar Hassan, spoke about the impact Leacock programming had on his life and realizing his potential, growing up in the Jane and Finch community. Abukar recently graduated from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Education, and currently remains involved in his community as a teacher at Derrydown P.S.
Abukar Hassan speaking to dinner guests at Auberge du Pommier
Leacock golfers at Granite
This year, the Foundation was raising money to support new leadership programs that unlock potential in youth, and keep them engaged from primary grades, right through to high school. In Toronto, LEADers with Big Ideas (an Entrepreneurial Camp), and YUVA (Youth United in Visionary Action), will provide valuable leadership training and experiences for Triangle of Hope partner school learners in grades 7 and 8. In groups, they will investigate ways to improve their community and develop action-plans to initiate change. Meanwhile in South Africa, after-school programming in the Get Ahead Project schools’ computer labs, will provide learners in grades 2 to 12, access to educational technology in a safe, structured homework environment, providing opportunities not available at home. Thanks to the support and generosity of guests, sponsors, and Auction donors, we are proud to announce the 21st Annual Tournament, Dinner, and Auction, raised $250,000 to go toward Leacock programming.
As we continue to expand youth-centered programming that impacts the lives of many, we look forward to another great year of unlocking potential. Thank you for continuously holding the key.
Special thanks to Jessica Plume for all Golf Tournament photographs and video