LYNN — The Lynn Veterans Council is organizing a four-player scramble golf tournament to help gather proceeds for next year’s North Shore Veterans and First Responders Day Parade.
The “Salute to Service” golf tournament costs $175 to participate. Incentives include cash prizes and a raffle to win a five-day trip to Aruba sponsored by council member Al DiVirgilio. It will take place at Gannon Municipal Golf Course on Wednesday, Aug. 6 at 8:30 a.m.
Next year’s parade will take place on Sunday, Sept. 20, a date close to the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. It will also celebrate the 250th anniversary of when the United States was declared an independent nation. It will be the first Veterans Day parade since 2018, as the parades were halted for several years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Council Secretary Ken Oswald said next year’s parade will require extra funds, as prices for hired talent, transportation and insurance have increased since 2018. For example, Oswald said marching bands in the area costed approximately $1,100 in 2018, compared to the current $2,600. Therefore, the Lynn Veterans Council is projecting $100,000 will be needed to fund the parade.
“There are no public funds, so we are doing this very proudly,” member Mark King said.
The Veterans Council decided on a golf tournament to raise funds, as it was seen as an optimal way to get a large group of supporters together in the summertime to participate as players and onlookers.
Lynn Mayor Jared C. Nicholson voiced his support for the Veterans Council’s efforts with the tournament.
“This event is going to be huge, and it should be. There’s a cost that comes with doing such an enormous event, and the Veterans Council has boldly stepped up to take on those costs by working on many different strategies for fundraising, such as this golf tournament,” he said.
Reading Cooperative Bank is sponsoring the tournament and providing snacks and beverages, estimated to cost approximately $300. Vice President Community Banking and Development Officer Kerry Ranieri explained why the company chose to get involved with the fundraiser.
“We send a vote out to our customers and ask them where they would like to see our charitable funds go, and for Lynn, veteran causes are number one,” she said.
This year’s “Salute to Service” marks the Lynn Veterans Council’s first golf tournament. President Wayne Johnson said its members intend to host similar events annually to help fund future projects, such as more memorials for fallen soldiers in the City of Lynn.
“There’s a need to continue to have these types of fundraisers and support that we’re looking for from the community, because there are certainly people worthy of these dedications to be brought forward,” he said.
