Mount Pleasant Magazine March/April 2016

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Photo courtesy of ECCO.
Playing Golfing for the
Greater Good
The 4th Annual Golf Ball
Besides providing a fun-
filled day in the sun, golf tournaments
at the local level also serve an
important purpose: raising funds
for worthy causes and increasing
awareness of the efforts of charitable
organizations.
East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO) will host
its 4th Annual Golf Ball in May at
the Daniel Island Club. The two-
day fundraiser includes a golf
tourney on May 9, followed by
a gala ball on May 13.
“ECCO’s hope is that
everyone who participates in
the Golf Ball has a memorable
and fun experience while
demonstrating their support,”
said Director of Development
and Marketing Alana Morrall.
“We also want to increase the
organization’s awareness in the
community by engaging new
friends and donors and to provide our guests with a deeper
understanding of ECCO’s mission.
She expects more than 150 golfers to fill both Daniel
Island Golf Club courses and attendance to exceed 300
guests at the gala.
ECCO serves more than 4,500 families each year,
and the fundraiser will allow the organization to sustain
a meaningful impact in the community by equipping
those in need with the tools and knowledge to rise out
of poverty.
ECCO is a nonprofit organization that relies solely on
the community’s generosity to sustain its programs and
services for low-income households.
“Participation in the golf tournament and gala offers
another opportunity for individuals and businesses to get
involved and support local families in need. Our goal is
to raise over $200,000 from sponsorships, ticket sales and
other revenue-generating activities, like a live and silent
auction at the gala,” Morrall said.
According to Morrall, ECCO has a dedicated group
of almost 30 volunteers on the Golf Ball Planning
Committee.
“This event would not be possible without support
from more than 125 local community-minded
businesses and individuals. We are thrilled to have
Nucor as our Presenting Tournament Sponsor for
another year, along with Lexus of Charleston as the
Hole-in-One Sponsor and Boeing as one of our gala
sponsors,” Morrall said.
She added that the
Daniel Island Club is
“extremely hospitable and
attentive to the needs of our
group. We are lucky to work
with such a great staff there.”
It’s all for a good cause,
but there will be a lot of fun
had by those taking part in
the golf tournament and gala.
The gala will feature a live
band, dancing, world-class
cuisine, complimentary wine
and beer, as well as a live and silent auction. The silent
auction items will be featured online about a week before
the gala for guests to preview.
Registration for the golf tournament opens at 11 a.m.
May 9, followed by a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. and an
awards reception at 5:30 p.m. The gala on May 13 begins
with check-in, food stations and music at 6:30 p.m. The
silent auction ends at 8:30 p.m., with the live auction
called by Tom Crawford at 8:45 p.m.
The cost of the golf tournament is $250 per person
and $1,250 for a foursome, which includes four tickets
to the gala. The price of the foursome increases to $1,500
on April 22. Tickets to the gala are $150 for general
admission, $200 for a reserved seat and $1,750 for a table
that seats eight. Sponsorship opportunities are available for
both the golf tournament and gala.
For more information or to register online, visit
.
By JOhn TOrsIeLLO