Copperleaf Charitable Foundation expands partnership with Home Base Florida to support local veterans

Through a unique partnership with Home Base Florida, Copperleaf Charitable Foundation supports local veterans throughout the year through a variety of fundraising events including the Home Base Veterans Appreciation Golf Tournament held every September in honor of the anniversary of 9/11, as well as an annual appeal to its members. Since 2016, Copperleaf Charitable Foundation has granted Home Base Florida more than $120,000.

“The Copperleaf community includes many veterans and veteran family members,” said Bill O’Dell, Copper Leaf Trustee. “Unlike any other system available to veterans, including the VA, the mission of Home Base is to treat both veterans and their families by providing a wide array of professional and clinical care and support to deal with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, anxiety, depression and substance abuse disorders. The Copperleaf Charitable Foundation felt that supporting our large Southwest Florida veteran population through Home Base was a critical need and met our mission.”

Free weekly golf lessons for veterans in Home Base Florida programs

In advance of this year’s Copperleaf annual Veterans Appreciation Golf Tournament for Home Base to be held Sept. 9, Copperleaf Charitable Foundation expanded its partnership and support of the Home Base mission by hosting veterans in their programs for four weeks of golf lessons through the PGA Hope Program all at no cost. In August, six veterans participated.

They have also committed to extend the lessons for another four-week session for 10 additional veterans beginning Sept. 17. The lessons have been made possible in part through the PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) program which introduces golf to veterans and active duty military to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.

The program introduces the game of golf through a developmental curriculum, led by PGA Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency. Copperleaf’s PGA Class A professional, Jason Miller, has been certified in the PGA HOPE Program. He, along with his assistant golf professionals, Kevin Lins and Clayton Nelms, led the free lessons.

Copperleaf Charitable Foundation donated the course, use of golf clubs as needed, and their staff instructor time to host the golf lessons.

“What I enjoyed most about these golf lessons was the sense of community. With veterans, the connection is often instantaneous,” said Alberto Padron, a U.S. Air Force veteran and participant of the Home Base Warrior Health and Fitness Program. “We just need the opportunity to meet, preferably in a fun and/or productive environment. Home Base creates these community-building opportunities bringing with it a sense of belonging that we all need for our overall wellness. I’m better for it. I believe Southwest Florida is better for it, too.”

Save-The-Date Copper Leaf Charitable Foundation Veteran Appreciation Golf Tournament

Date: Sept. 9

Time: 8:30 a.m. shotgun start

Format: 18-hole scramble for Home Base Veterans participants and Copperleaf members all at no cost to the veterans

Location: Copperleaf Golf Club, 23101 Copperleaf Blvd., in Estero

“It’s nice to see that Home Base Florida is able to draw in community partners like Copperleaf Golf Club to help carry the load of supporting the veteran community,” added Padron. “It reflects positively on everyone involved. Copperleaf is no longer just another nice golf course in town. It’s the golf course that’s truly invested in this community.”

Source: Copperleaf Charitable Foundation