The tee time has been set, the sponsors are ready to play and the greens have never looked so good.
The Will Muschamp Scramble for Kids, a golf tournament benefitting the Boys & Girls Club, Children’s Home Society, and Girls Place, is a fun, competitive fundraising event whose proceeds will influence the lives of thousands of children in Alachua County.
This year’s Scramble will take place on Feb. 22 at the University of Florida Mark Bostick Golf Course and will feature a sponsor banquet at Touchdown Terrace on Thursday Feb. 20.
With a projected goal of raising $60,000 to benefit the three children’s organizations, this is expected to be one of the best scrambles to date. Now in its 21st year, the Scramble has become a local tradition, beginning when Steve Spurrier was the head Florida football coach and continuing with all of his successors.
“Carol and I are very proud to host this annual scramble to benefit three organizations that directly impact kids in our community,” said Muschamp. “We have deep personal roots in this community that we call home and we feel connected to the people and children that make it such a great place to live and raise a family.”
The Boys & Girls Club
The Boys & Girls Club serves over 3,600 children and teens at five locations in Alachua county and nearly 4 million nationwide. With a vision to provide a world-class club experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who enters its doors, the organization centers its programs on education, character and leadership skills, and health lifestyles.
“For us at the Boys & Girls Club of Alachua County, having Coach Muschamp involved makes it even more special,” said CEO & President Keith Blanchard. “Will Muschamp actually grew up at a Boys & Girls Club and he really understands what we do and the important role we play in our kids’ lives.”
This year’s proceeds will be used to sustain the many award-winning programs and services the Club offers.
Children’s Home Society
Children’s Home Society of Florida (CHS) offers services in 18 counties aiding over 7,000 children and families. The Scramble has played a significant role in its efforts to help end the cycle of abuse and neglect for children and families.
CHS offers programs to strengthen families and offer support and counseling when needed. The following account is just one example of a success story that resulted from the Healthy Families Program, which was made possible through fundraising efforts including the Scramble:
June sought support from the Healthy Families program because after having her son, she struggled with the many challenges of caring for an infant. Her Healthy Families Family Support Worker offered assistance when she began to feel overwhelmed by helping her set goals.
Through the program June secured a job, which has helped her to support her growing family.
“Getting that support from a stranger is so important. She’s here to encourage me, to help me. Healthy Families is here for you, your kids, your husband…for everyone in the home,” June said. “I don’t even know where I’d be without this program.”
Without the support of the sponsors participating in the Will Muschamp Scramble for Kids, some of the services such as the Healthy Families Program may not be possible.
Girls Place
Girls Place, Inc., is the first place in Alachua County for girls to be empowered, challenged, inspired and transformed. It is where girls become leaders, independent women and contributors to their community.
Girls Place has served over 20,000 girls in 30 years. This summer they aspire to build upon that number along with an increase in programming options. The organization could not fully maximize this effort without the proceeds from the Scramble
“We strive to introduce as many activities and lessons to our clients each summer,” said Girls Place Executive Director, Janna Magette. “This could be our best summer yet!”