The Solanco Education Foundation will hold its annual fundraising golf tournament on Friday, Aug. 19, at the Tanglewood Manor Golf Club, 653 Scotland Road, Quarryville. Registration will begin at noon, followed by a shotgun start at 1 p.m. A cost has been set per player, which will include use of a golf cart, snacks, beverages and a box lunch. Prizes will be given to both teams and individuals, including an award for first and second places, as well as closest to the pin, longest drive and the putting contest. Sponsorship packages for the event are also available, including hole sponsorships and complimentary golfing. Tanglewood Manor has hosted the event for the past five years, also providing the golf carts and box lunches. Snacks and beverages will be provided by Herr's and PepsiCo.

The tournament has been held for the last 15 years, serving as one of the Solanco Education Foundation's largest fundraisers. "Many board members are golfers," said Becky Guhl, executive director for the organization. "They knew this was a good way to interest people in the foundation and give them a round of golf." The putting contest will return this year, as well. "There's a good amount of ribbing involved," said Guhl. "It's a fan favorite. Even the golfers come down to watch."

The money raised from the tournament directly benefits the Solanco Education Foundation's scholarship fund, which includes the Solanco Education Foundation Scholarship, Futures Scholarship and Resilience Scholarship. Each one provides financial assistance for Solanco residents ranging from first-generation college students to trade school applicants. "We were able to give over $18,000 in scholarships last year," said John Waggoner, the foundation's vice president. "It was an incredible success, and we're hoping it will be as big this year." Waggoner has been assisting with the tournament for the last five years and handles the investment of funds for the foundation.

The imprint of the Solanco Education Foundation on the community doesn't end with scholarships; the funds raised from the tournament benefit many more of the foundation's endeavors. Venture grants are frequently given to teachers for innovative projects that fall outside of their budget, and programs have included a middle school garden club, an interactive kindergarten learning program and a ukulele class.

Yet another beneficiary of the golf fundraiser is the Solanco Strong initiative, which aims to provide assistance to those most in need throughout the community. The initiative has aided students whose electricity has been shut off as well as those lacking the funds for Advanced Placement courses. "Solanco Strong was born out of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Guhl. "Students can't get a good education if they're worried about where they're going to sleep tonight."

For more information, contact Guhl at 717-786-5611 or becky_guhl@solancosd.org.