$1.2 million.

That's a bag of loot. That's some serious bank. That's a loaf of bread.

That's the amount of money that HOPE International, 227 Granite Run Drive, Suite 250, Lancaster, recently raised with its 23rd annual golf outing. The Manheim Township-based nonprofit will put those dollars to good use in the form of loans, investments and assistance to financially challenged individuals and families around the globe.

"We're excited about the impact we are having," said HOPE International founder Jeff Rutt. "That money will impact thousands and thousands of lives. Small loans can empower families to have dignity instilled in their lives. With the families we serve, we really believe God has put each of them in our hands."

"A lot of people like to golf, and a lot of people want to impact lives around the world," Rutt continued. "This is a vehicle. It's a way to network together, have a great time outdoors and at the same time drive out poverty. It's a fun way of fundraising."

The outing was conducted at three separate golf courses - Iron Valley Golf Club in Lebanon, Wyncote Golf Club in Oxford and Turf Valley Golf Club in Ellicott City, Md. - in the middle of September. Some 350 players participated.

"It's small businesses who want to get involved, and they'll send folks on their team," said Rutt. "Sometimes the golfers may not even be aware of what the owner of their company is doing. They may not even be aware the company is involved with helping lives around the world. It's a great way to get involved."

The 2023 version of the HOPE International golf outing raised about $200,000 more than last year's. The event pulled in $951,444 in 2021 and raised more than $625,000 the year prior.

Over the years, the golf outing has collected more than $7 million in donations.

"We started very small at the beginning, but we've been building on it," said Rutt. "I think philanthropy in general has changed over the 23 years. It used to be, 'We need to send our money.' But I've seen a shift where the world has become smaller."

"The way (the outing) has grown is tied to the impact," added Rutt. "If something works, the word spreads. Like, 'Hey, I want to get behind something that's growing.' And with some of the people we work with, their businesses have grown."

Rutt founded HOPE International in 1997, and a year later the organization's first loans were dispersed in Ukraine. In 2004, Peter Greer became HOPE International's president, and in that same year it distributed its 10,000th loan.

From its founding to the current time, HOPE International has aided 2.7 million families in 24 countries around the world with $1.7 billion in loans.

"In the beginning, I had no idea what I was doing," said Rutt. "I wanted to help, but I didn't know how to help. God knew, and we just kept taking small steps. God had bigger plans. It was exciting to see."

For additional information about HOPE International, go to http://www.hopeinternational.org.