Hope 100 Golf Marathon Fundraiser Achieves All-Time High

Pleasanton CA

06 October, 2021

3:36 PM

Description

Press release from Hope Hospice: Oct. 6, 2021 The 2021 Hope 100 Golf Marathon raised $155,217 for its namesake hospice organization—the highest amount raised in the event's six-year history. The annual charity golf event, this year held September 13 at Castlewood Country Club in Pleasanton, raises support for Hope Hospice's patient-care services and grief support center, as well as a range of free educational programs for the local public. "We're so grateful to our event organizers and biggest champions, Jim and Kathleen Berriatua, for their leadership and philanthropic hearts," says Hope Hospice CEO Jennifer Hansen. "Coming out of a hard year with several events canceled because of the pandemic, we weren't sure what could be accomplished. But the Hope 100 attracts a special group of generous golf aficionados who seem to return each year more excited to participate than the last." The Hope 100 is an exclusive event with only 36 available player spots. Many participants reside in the Bay Area, but some come from as far as the East Coast. The structure of this event—playing 100 holes in one day—symbolizes the difficult challenges patients and their families face at the end of life. The event's peer-to-peer fundraising structure encourages participants to seek support from their personal networks. Some pay their own $2,500 player fees, while others seek sponsorships to cover the cost or solicit donations to bolster their fundraising totals. The event went dark in 2020 due to COVID-19, shorting Hope over $80,000 in anticipated revenue. "From a fundraising perspective, we desperately needed to hold the event this year," says Hope's Director of Philanthropy Marc Rovetti. "The fellowship with these dedicated players is, of course, a bonus. We enjoy reconnecting each fall." The marathon was established in 2015 to honor the life of Piper Wagner, a beloved golf pro at Castlewood who died from lung cancer. This year, in the spirit of Piper's memory, the event also honored the life of the late Steve Thompson. Steve was a Bay Area native, having attended Marin Catholic High School and the University of San Francisco. He was a founding member of Jerry Thompson and Sons Painting with his father and brother, and over the years he helped guide JTS to become one of the most respected and successful painting companies in the Bay Area. Steve had a big heart and quietly led by example for the causes he cared about. He participated in the inaugural Hope 100 Golf Marathon, and Hope Hospice is grateful for his legacy in making this event what it is today. Several of the Thompson family members played at this year's event. Hope Hospice will open registration for the next event in late spring 2022. Hope100GolfMarathon.com; at (925) 829-8770. This press release was produced by Hope Hospice. The views expressed here are the author's own.