The CEF/Lions Club Golf Tournament Coming June 25

A message from the members of the CEF and Lions Club:

A lot happens between the time grade-schoolers bound off the bus holding out construction paper Valentines for their mothers and the time they extend that same hand to take hold of their diplomas at graduation.  A lot of dreams, born in elementary school classrooms, crystallize during those intervening years.  Years of questioning, exploring, investigating, and experimenting. Years of becoming who they’re destined to be.

Obviously the school system plays an enormous role in a child’s growth, in developing those abilities that allow a child to achieve his or her dreams.  Nevertheless, sometimes something a child hopes for, something he or she needs to realize a dream, lies beyond the ability of the school system to provide.  Often this is because of money: things like study abroad, sports camps, music lessons, and leadership programs can all be very expensive.  Yet they can also be extremely important in cultivating a child’s full potential.

It is for the purpose of fulfilling these kinds of needs that the Clinton Educational Foundation (CEF) was established. The foundation raises funds in order to award monies for projects, grants, and scholarships that will serve to enrich the lives of the students in our schools.  The basic idea is to encourage the passion by helping to satisfy the need.

One of the ways the foundation raises money is through our annual golf tournament.  This year the tournament has been combined with the Clinton Lions Club.  The CEF/Lions Club Family Golf Classic for 2012 will be held at the on Monday, June 25.  

There are a number of ways for persons to contribute, including becoming a sponsor, donating an auction item, playing the course, or attending the dinner and auction which follows tournament play.

So yes, we too have our hand out, but if you think about it, our hand is really an extension of that little hand that holds the Valentine, that takes hold of that diploma.  It is also an extension of the hand of the girl who rings out your groceries; and the hand of your babysitter and the boy who mows your lawn: of the hand of that kid who referees your child’s soccer game and the one who plays organ at your church; and of the hand that catches the ball in the state tournament.  It is an extension of all the little hands holding stubby pencils struggling to form letters, hands that will eventually pen symphonies and write novels and perform surgeries.  Ours is the hand of every child who is reaching for the stars.  Please help us help them on their journey by supporting The Clinton Education Foundation. 

Visit our website at www.clintonpublic.org/cef to register or to find out more about scholarship opportunities for the children of Clinton.

Caddie For Your Kid

Cue whispery announcer voice:  “The tension is high here on the eighth green as [insert your child’s name here] lines up what could be a birdie putt.  The young golfer and his/her caddie are discussing the geometry of the stroke…”  Can you picture yourself here? 

The mild winter and the recent Masters Tournament have many people thinking about golf.  High school golf teams have begun match play and budding future young Fred Couples and Annika Sorrenstams are already hitting the links.  Just as school ends this year and summer begins, two local organizations will be offering youngsters in the area the opportunity to play some golf and have some fun. 

The Clinton Education Foundation and the Clinton Lions Club have joined forces to sponsor a golf tournament at the Clinton Country Club.  The tournament is scheduled for Monday, June 25.  One feature of the tournament this year will be a juniors-only, nine hole tournament to be held in the morning.  Any youngster between the ages of 12 and 18 can participate.  The cost is $35 and includes lunch. [Scholarships are available through the Clinton Education Foundation.  The application is included with the registration form.]

The juniors’ tournament offers a unique way for parents to bond with their young athletes by cheering them on – or even better, by caddying for them.  Here’s a chance to share some quality time in the sunshine and fresh air while traversing the picturesque greens of the country club.  Parents may also want to stick around for the adult tournament, which begins at 12:30pm.  Even if you’re not a golfer, tickets are available to adults for the dinner, silent auction, and raffle which follow the tournament.

Registration for junior golfers is easy.  Simply fill out the registration form, which can be found on the CEF website:  www.clintonpublic.org/cef.  Click on the “Events” link.  Registration forms can be mailed to the Clinton Education Foundation/Clinton Lions Club, 137 Glenwood Road, Clinton, CT., 06413, or students may bring completed forms to the main office of any of the four district schools.

Cue announcer’s voice once more:  “It’s a joyful scene here at the clubhouse with hugs and smiles all around as our junior golfers and their parents…I mean caddies…celebrate an exciting day of fun and fellowship.”