MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- More than 200 cans of non-perishable goods were donated to the Onslow County Soup Kitchen from the Camp Lejeune Golf Association during their monthly scramble at the Paradise Point Golf Course aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Oct. 16.
Golfers brought in all manner of canned goods, from canned tuna to corn and everything in between, and every can was destined to feed the hungry. More than 9,000 pounds of food has been collected for the Onslow Community Outreach Soup Kitchen and Homeless Shelter and the extra food donated by the golf course raised that number just a bit more.
“This is our way to help out the soup kitchen while having fun at the same time,” said Mike Maynard, president of the Paradise Point Men’s Golf Association. “The soup kitchen is always in need of free supplies and we know that they will eventually use everything we give them.”
For as long as Maynard could remember the canned food drive has been around. Every year golfers would bring canned foods which would go on to feed the homeless and hungry. They are encouraged to bring cans of food instead of having to pay fees.
“If the golfers brought three cans then they wouldn’t have to pay the entry fees for the scramble, only the golf course fees,” said Maynard. “Afterward we all get together and have a little barbecue and just get together and relax.”
The golf association also helps out during the winter holidays. On Nov. 20, the golf association will be holding their annual “Toys for Tots” golf scramble.
“For the Toys for Tots campaign all that golfers need to bring in is a new unwrapped toy and that counts as their entry fee for the scramble,” said Maynard. “This year it is in November because we try and play golf whether rain or shine, but last year it rained out on us.”
Maynard also said that they always welcome new golfers to come out and join them for social rounds of golf.