The Maricopa Police Foundation’s annual golf tournament raised an estimated more than $30,000 this year, roughly triple what the event raised in previous years.
The tournament, the foundation’s major fundraising event, sold out with all team spots and sponsorships filled, according to foundation President Jeremy Waters.
Waters credited tournament organizer Jim Hart and his committee with the event’s growth.
“We sold it out. We were able to to fill up all of the teams, we got all of the sponsorships filled, and the community involvement was bigger and better than it had ever been,” Waters said.
The foundation supports the Maricopa Police Department in two primary ways: by creating opportunities for positive interactions between residents and police, and through a fund that can provide financial assistance to officers facing unexpected needs after an injury or other incident, Waters said.
The tournament drew support from local businesses and community organizations, including sponsors and vendors. The Maricopa Fire-Medical Department also participated in the event.
Waters said the community response was particularly meaningful for the foundation.
“To see the community rally behind the police department like this is really huge, and just makes me feel happy and proud,” he said.
