HOPE International is looking for players, participants and interested individuals for its upcoming fundraising event. But what the nonprofit organization would really like are committed golf partners.

"It's really something we've seen more of in this next generation," said Jeff Rutt, who founded HOPE International in 1997. "People want to know the why. What's the long-term impact of what we're doing? I think it's good that we live out what we believe. If we're going to go golfing, let's do it for a cause. We want people to be emotionally invested."

Individuals who participate in HOPE International's 25th annual golf outing will become unofficial partners in the organization's fight against world poverty through Christ-centered financial services. This year's fundraising golf outing will be conducted on Friday, Sept. 12, at two venues.

Shotgun starts at 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. will tee off the philanthropic activities at Iron Valley Golf Club, 201 Iron Valley Drive, Lebanon, and an 8 a.m. tee time will get things underway at Wyncote Golf Club, 50 Wyncote Drive, Oxford. The day will include cart use, prizes, fellowship and information about HOPE International's mission.

Registration for players and sponsors is open until Monday, Sept. 1, at https://engage.hopeinternational.org/event/25th-annual-golf-tournament/e688465.

"I'm not a golfer, but I like to connect with people," said Rutt. "It's a great way to get out, have fun and share our mission with people. It's not really about the golf. We're looking to impact lives, and enjoying golf is part of the process."

Organizers of the HOPE International golf outing are hoping to raise $1.4 million, a sum that would financially impact nearly 35,000 families in financially challenged spots around the world. Over the course of its existence, the golf outing has raised more than $8 million and impacted 3.3 million individuals through discipleship; agriculture; housing; training; and small, low-interest loans.

Headquartered at 227 Granite Run Drive, Lancaster, HOPE International offers its services to people in 30 countries. Since 2006, HOPE International has been rated as one of the top nonprofits in the country by the independent watchdog agency Charity Navigator.

"The best part of it for me is being able to share with the participants and sponsors the numbers of people we've been able to impact and their stories," said Rutt. "For me, it's about that long-term impact. Now, it's even more important than ever. There have been cuts, and the places where we do work have been impacted. We need to be looking for the need. We're focused on the greatest needs. We want to administer to the outcasts. We want to restore dignity in their lives."

More than 300 players are expected to participate in the HOPE International golf outing - individuals from surrounding communities; team members from local businesses; and representatives of sponsors from Lancaster County, York County, Chester County and northern Maryland.

"(The participants are) very similar to the makeup of a HOPE International donor or partner," said Rutt, a resident of Strasburg who also founded Keystone Custom Homes. "Many of (the golfers) have received a break along the way. They can relate to what we do at HOPE International. That's really what we're doing, giving people a break."

HOPE International, whose work is supported by a total of 68 Lancaster County staff members, originally resulted from a mission trip to Ukraine made by Rutt through his work at Calvary Monument Bible Church in Paradise. The nonprofit mission was bolstered by the hiring of Peter Greer as the organization's president and CEO in 2004.

"I believe giving back is so important for so many reasons," said Rutt. "I believe in a lot of ways, each of us has been given so much. All of us have been born with some innate ability to give back. Here in the west, we have so much, and we're focused so much on comfort, which leads to complexity, which leads to complacency. It's hard to be grumpy when you're generous. The Bible talks about those who have been given so much have responsibilities. There's true happiness that comes from generosity."