PEORIA (25News Now) – Hundreds of golfers showed their support for veterans at the 17th annual Tee It Up for the Troops event.
Around 240 golfers, including 120 veterans and 120 sponsor players, came out to Mt. Hawley Country Club in Peoria to play the course and raise money for veterans-supporting charities. About 100 volunteers also helped make the day possible.
Tee It Up for the Troops is a national nonprofit founded in Minnesota in 2005, hosting more than 860 events each year. The Central Illinois chapter has held its annual golf event for the past 17 years, inviting veterans to enjoy a day of golf and food at no cost.
Organizer Jeff Kolbus said the golf outing brings veterans together to have fun and celebrate their service.
“The veteran community, especially when there is not an active war or conflict going on, seems to get lost,” he said. “If you look around, you’re going to see veterans from the Korean War through to today.”
Kolbus said this year, 30 local sponsors helped raise money for the event, which will cover costs at the country club and also go toward local charities supporting veterans.
“I think our community has stepped up for 17 straight years and answered the call to take care of these veterans who protect us,” he said.
Kolbus said this year’s event raised almost $100,000. He said last year, the organization was able to give $49,000 to six local charities. Kolbus said over the past years, the Central Illinois chapter has raised more than $1 million for veterans’ organizations.
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