The Medical Center Foundation
Golf Tournament

The 17th Annual Medical Center Open Golf Tournament
10/2/2008
Chicopee Woods Golf Course

Victims of domestic violence come from all walks of life. While their backgrounds may differ, they all have a painful secret in common - someone they love and trust hurts them.

For over 25 years, the Gateway Domestic Violence Center has worked to end the cycle of domestic violence in Hall County. They serve over 1,500 victims of abuse each year, including more than 250 children. Family violence emotionally damages these children, causing fear, anxiety, guilt and stress. They may experience developmental delays, learning and language problems, and physical ailments such as headaches and ulcers, or hearing and speech problems.

In addition to an emergency shelter and 24/7 crisis line, Gateway provides assistance in obtaining temporary protective orders, case management, victim advocacy in court, training/education programs and support groups for domestic violence survivors. They teach women and children how to have safe and healthy homes and to break the generational cycle of violence.

Last year, Gateway was forced to close program enrollment due to lack of space.

But with the help of the upcoming 17th Annual Medical Center Open Golf Tournament, sponsored by The Medical Center Foundation and Wachovia, Gateway will be able to expand classroom space to increase attendance capacity by 62%.

Scheduled for Thursday, October 2, 2008, The Medical Center Open is northeast Georgia’s premier golf tournament. Since 1997, over $1.5 million has been raised to support community health improvement initiatives.

“Improving the health of our community is the mission and heart of The Medical Center Foundation,” says Nancy Colston, executive director of The Medical Center Foundation. “Gateway Domestic Violence Center helps create an environment for safe, healthy, self-sufficient growth and violence prevention. We are thrilled to support their efforts through proceeds from this year’s tournament.”

Tournament co-chairs Steve Moore, MD and Lorry Schrage are expecting the tournament roster to fill very quickly, encouraging golfers to mark their calendars now and register early.

To make a gift or learn more about the 2008 Medical Center Open or Gateway Domestic Violence Center, please call The Medical Center Foundation at 770-533-8099.