Each year, the Arthrex Charitable Championship (ACC) golf tournament raises money for a nonprofit organization through a day of friendly competition among colleagues.
This year’s tournament accommodated six more teams and raised our highest amount ever, $20,000, for Abuse Counseling & Treatment Inc. (ACT) located in Fort Myers, Florida. Since 1974, ACT has been providing counsel, assistance and advocacy for victims of domestic violence and their children, as well as survivors of sexual assault and human trafficking.
The money raised from this year’s tournament was much needed for the organization, which had lost a community grant from the City of Fort Myers when the City Council eliminated the grant during the budget process. The loss of those funds had left ACT drastically underfunded.
“I was already shocked when the Arthrex team told us they wanted to support ACT with this event, which typically raises around $10,000,” said ACT’s Community Education and Development Coordinator Meg Dalabes, who attended the event to thank employees for their support and share information about the organization’s local impact.
“When we raised $20,000 on Sunday, I was ecstatic! We know there are so many good causes out there and we’re so grateful for this gift.”
On Sunday, October 13, 184 employees golfed and 10 volunteered for the ACC Tournament, which was held at Grey Oaks Country Club in Naples, Florida.
The $20,000 raised by Arthrex employees will benefit ACT’s two local emergency shelters and its rape crisis center by allowing them to pay staff members and provide necessities for victims and their families, who often leave their situations without any of their belongings.
“Domestic and sexual violence are such personal crimes that, unfortunately, touch so many lives,” said Meg. “ACT is the only rape crisis center in Lee County that’s free, confidential and can provide the advocacy and counsel survivors need when they’re at their most vulnerable.”
