Did you know that playing golf can provide ramps and other assistive equipment to help make life more independent for those with disabilities in our area? 

For the past 23 years, the Phil S. Harison Memorial Golf Classic has been a fixture on Augusta’s fall calendar, bringing together business leaders just like Mr. Harison who are passionate about filling this vital need in our community. Our vibrant medical community cares for the health of a significant number of families affected by a physical disability, and this annual event by the Walton Foundation for Independence can help with those everyday needs not covered by insurance. 

Mr. Harison felt very strongly that accessible housing and community support for people with disabilities needed to be a priority for our community. As our former board chair (1998-2007), his legacy can still be seen in our Hope and Independence Fund, which provides support after discharge from a rehabilitation facility, including durable medical equipment and assistive technologies after a catastrophic injury or long-term illness. It can also be seen in our sports programs, such as adaptive golf and wheelchair tennis, providing much needed exercise and social interaction. All of these programs are supported by the Harison Memorial Golf Classic in Mr. Harison’s memory. 

This year, our annual event will be held on Monday, September 21 at West Lake Country Club. I invite our business leaders to be a part of this wonderful event—our major fundraiser each year. Enjoy a beautiful day of golf, wonderful gifts, sponsor recognition, and most importantly, the opportunity to help those with disabilities in our local community, who many times need just a helping hand to live their lives independently and successfully.  

That’s the goal of the Walton Foundation for Independence and fundraisers like the Harison Memorial Golf Classic. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, signing up as a team, volunteering to help in other ways, or making a donation, don’t wait. It’s been said, “In golf as in life, it is the follow through that makes the difference.” Visit us at www.waltonfoundation.net—and together let’s follow through on making the lives of people with disabilities better in the CSRA. 

Vicki Greene is the Vice President/Development of the Walton Foundation for Independence.