Our Annual Event
Tournament of Hope Golf Classic
Independent Living Waterloo Region would like to extend our gratitude to everyone who helped make the 26th Annual Tournament of Hope a smashing success! Close to 100 golfers came together at the Grand Valley Golf & Country Club to raise money to help people with disabilities in Waterloo Region.
Proceeds from the Tournament of Hope go towards the ILWR Access Fund, which helps individuals with disabilities purchase assistive devices, adapted technology, and medical equipment.
This year, ILWR supported 13 individuals with approximately $70,000 in funds! To date, the Access Fund has helped 300 people purchase equipment totaling $700,000!
None of this is possible without the golfers, volunteers, Board of Directors, and staff of ILWR. In addition to money raised by the Tournament of Hope, the Access Fund also received donations from the Deer Ridge Charity Golf Tournament, Fortinet Cup, and a special reallocation of some Ministry of Health funding to support several of our Attendant Services Consumers.
We look forward to next year’s Tournament and to continue to help people with disabilities purchase much needed equipment. Stay tuned for details on applying for the Access Fund closer to the start of 2024.
Registration is $135 per golfer, which includes 18 holes of golf, golf cart, dinner, and an evening program.
History of the Tournament of Hope
About the event
Established in 1997 by former Kitchener-Waterloo area United Way CEO John Thompson, the event has been helping disabled individuals purchase assistive devices, adapted technology, and medical equipment for 25 years.
The first event had a single focus: to help Randy Hepditch, an individual with a disability living in Waterloo Region, and his family purchase a wheelchair accessible van. Out of that event grew ILWR’s Access Fund, which has given 287 individuals more than $625,000 to purchase items that help them live more independent lives.
While the Tournament of Hope isn’t the Access Fund’s only funding sponsor, it remains the largest. Original recipient Randy Hepditch’s parents, Gerard and Linda Carmichael, still volunteer for the event every year.
Get involved
How you can help
Become a
Sponsor
With a full field of over 130 golfers, it is also a great opportunity to promote your company and its support for the community. Sponsorship levels include Presenter, Supporter, Cart, Event, and Hole.
Donate to Our Silent Auction
As a donating business, your company information will be displayed to help promote your goods and services.
Donations can include products, services, and gift cards.
Become a
Volunteer
Opportunities range from helping with registration to assisting at one of our specialty holes. It is a great way to help your community and enjoy the sunshine while supporting a worthwhile cause.
