The University of Arizona Parent and Family Association brings the par-tee to Family Weekend with a golf challenge on Oct. 11.
The second annual Family Weekend Golf Challenge takes place at Topgolf, allowing Wildcat parents the chance to participate in competitive games. In addition to the competition, each participant receives breakfast, lunch and a UA golf polo shirt.
“It’s an opportunity for families to meet other families versus a traditional golf tournament where you’re just kind of stuck with the three other people you are golfing with,” said Annamarie Tellez, the director of Parent and Family Programs.
Tellez said the golf challenge not only welcomes families to Tucson, but it is also a great way to show them what the UA campus has to offer.
“It’s a great cause so all funds raised would benefit the students that were serving,” Tellez said. “It’s also a great way to connect with other family members and students and get out and enjoy our city.”
Chris Kopach, one of the advisory board members, wants the event to be able to show the strong community on campus, helping new students and parents understand the culture of being a Wildcat.
“Anytime you get together with Wildcat parents and Wildcat students, it’s always a good time,” Kopach said.
Each year, the Parent and Family Association donates the profits from the event to a designated area on campus. This year, the lucky program is the UA Campus Pantry.
RELATED: Hillel Center provides community during Family Weekend and beyond
“The advisory board felt that it is really important and a great area to donate to this year,” Tellez said.
The advisory board was inspired to choose UA Campus Pantry after they shared their mission with the board last February, where they also showed them the rooftop garden where they grow their own vegetables.
“I think that everyone was really impressed at the sustainability of the campus and how the Campus Pantry runs,” Tellez said. “They shared statistics on how often the Campus Pantry is utilized with students. It was alarming, so I think that everyone in the room that heard the presentation was moved and wanted to be able to participate and somehow have an impact.”
As for working with UA Campus Pantry, Tellez said the staff has been very supportive.
“I think that they have a really strong mission and ideas to increase the food that is received on campus so that students have an opportunity,” Tellez said.
Bridgette Nobbe, the coordinator for the campus pantry, also agrees that working with the Parent and Family Association has been a very supportive experience because they are all so passionate about food insecurity.
“They set a goal to raise $15,000 and I think that they will reach that,” Nobbe said. “Already, I think that they are at $7,000 or $8,000, last I checked. They are being super supportive with everything and I am so glad that they chose us.”
RELATED: Get a taste of local culture at Tucson Meet Yourself
If raised, the $15,000 will be able to help the Campus Pantry pay for various foods they can use for distribution.
“That will probably pay for about four weeks or a month of distribution, which is extremely beneficial,” Tellez said. “We spend roughly $3,000 a week for students, so to be able to have that donation takes away from other things we are having to choose and purchase more food for students.”
Nobbe said that donations like the Parent and Family Association help the Campus Pantry continue to expand.
“Being able to have this support has let us grow,” Nobbe said. “When we first started, it was open once per month, and now we are up to 12 hours a week and serving over 950 students a week. It’s insane how big it’s really grown and it wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for donations like this.”
If you are interested in attending the Parent and Family Association Golf Challenge, you can check out their website for more information.
Follow Jamie on Twitter
