Tee it up next month for this worthy local cause

The Brain Injury Association of Sault Ste. Marie & District is looking for golfers and sponsors for its second annual golf tournament fundraiser scheduled to take place beginning at 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 12 at Crimson Ridge Golf Course on Fourth Line West.

All funds raised will go toward the Association — a registered charity established by a survivor in 1988 — so that survivors, their family members and caregivers can have access to education, peer support programs and activities.

The organization is hoping to raise at least $6,000 through this year’s golf tournament.

“There’s such a need,” said Chantal Scopacasa, Brain Injury Association of Sault Ste. Marie & District executive board administrator and peer support coordinator.

“I’ve been managing the Brain Injury Association from my home for approximately 11 years on a very limited budget,” Scopacasa told SooToday.

Scopacasa is the only paid employee of the Brain Injury Association of Sault Ste. Marie & District. 

The BIASSMD currently has over 100 clients in the Sault and area. 

“A lot of the injuries come from motor vehicle accidents (including cars and trucks, ATVs and snowmobiles). They’re traumatic brain injuries. Depending on the severity some things you’ll notice is cognitive deficit such as word finding, memory problems and difficulty sleeping. If it’s more severe there are physical impacts. If you hit your head hard enough and have a bad enough brain injury you’re going to have some physical limitations,” Scopacasa said.

Some brain injury survivors may need a wheelchair to travel longer distances or outdoors.

“There are some clients that I’ve been helping for the last 11 years. Usually I'll take the survivors out on an outing but if we don’t have the funds we can’t do that,” Scopacasa said.

She currently holds a monthly in-person peer support program meeting at a room within the John Rhodes Community Centre and a monthly coffee social in collaboration with Spinal Cord Injury Ontario but wants to implement more programs and activities such as a meal preparation class for brain injury survivors. 

“We’re seeking golfers and sponsors (to help the Brain Injury Association raise funds). Last year's tournament was a success but I want to make this year's event even bigger and better,” Scopacasa said.

The fee for each four-person team to enter the tournament is $800.

The day includes 18 holes of golf and golf cart as well as a grab and go breakfast, a burger with side order and drink for lunch and sirloin steak dinner with baked potato, vegetables and dessert.

Prizes will be awarded.

Registration closes Thursday, Sept. 5 at 5 p.m.

Players can register online at the Brain Injury Association of Sault Ste. Marie & District website or the Crimson Ridge Golf Course website.

The tournament is an opportunity for sponsor businesses to enhance their community presence and make a positive impact on the lives of brain injury survivors the Brain Injury Association of Sault Ste. Marie & District stated in a release. 

Information for corporate sponsors who can donate $1,500, $2,000, $2,500 or $3,000 to the golf fundraiser can be found by contacting the Brain Injury Association of Sault Ste. Marie & District by email or by phone at (705) 971-1050.