Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

Friday June 1, amidst grey skies, the third annual BE GREAT Golf Tournament benefiting the Akwesasne Boys and Girls Club was held at Cedar View Golf Course in Massena, NY. BE GREAT is an initiative of the Boys and Girls Club of America which believes that every child has the potential to be great.

Present in the clubhouse were the organizers, where I had a chance to speak with Jessica Cree Jock, Executive Director of the Akwesasne Boys and Girls Club. Along with Jessica in the clubhouse were Myra Lafrance, Office Manager, and Administrative Assistant Haylee Sunday, who were also responsible for organizing the event.

On hand for the tournament were 57 golfers distributed over 19 teams of three all competing for a $500 first place purse. Jock said, “I think we were shooting for 70 so this worked out perfectly. It was more than we had last year.”

Jock wanted to specifically mention that her board played a vital role in raising funds. President of the Board Janique Odjick, Vice President of the Board Kerry Jacobs, and Treasurer Julia Back Skidders, all were instrumental in collecting donations, of which $23,000 was raised prior to the start of the tournament with $26,000 raised total. Jock also wanted to recognize the remaining members of the board for their equally important role: PJ Herne, Larry Edgley, Brendan White, and Micaelee Horn.

Ongweoweh Corp. team.

The support did not end with donations of money, many people and businesses donated their time or gifts for the Chinese auction. Prior to the tournament a few of the parents whose children attend the Akwesasne Boys and Girls Club, as well as all of the staff, volunteered their time to help clean up the course. “Through this tournament, it really shows the generosity of our community. If you look behind me you see we have various community-based businesses that donate, and continuously donate to us,” Jock added motioning toward the table full of items on auction.

From the press release: “Upon completion of the tournament, golfers were treated to a delicious Italian dinner, prepared by the cooks at Cedar View. Prizes were awarded to Larry Garrow, Sherry Garrow, and Wendell Benedict for 1st place Team, Norman Tarbell’s Team for Most Honest, Mike Mitchell for Longest Drive Men, Jill Benedict for Longest Drive Women, Joe Jacobs for Closest to the Pin Men, Jill Benedict for Closest to the Pin Women.”