Great group, great cause, great fundraiser — MCDVTF Golf Tournament

There are many organizations I cover as a writer at this newspaper. They are all worthy, and filled with amazing people I admire. Yet, there is one special organization which has stood out to me over the years, not just because of its great cause, but because of those who work behind the scenes and spend time they don’t have to help others at one of the most vulnerable times of their lives.
I’m talking about the members of the Marion County Domestic Violence Task Force. This powerhouse of an organization is filled with those who work fulltime in various occupations, sometimes in law enforcement, sometimes in human resources, sometimes in law and most always, in some type of service-related occupation.
For nearly 10 years, it’s been my privilege to help promote what they do. One of their biggest projects happens each October, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. For 18 years, on the first Friday in October, they’ve held a golf tournament to help raise funds for--and to help raise awareness of--domestic violence and its victims and survivors.
I cannot describe how proud I am of this task force. During the years, I’ve spoken to high-ranking officials who have noted that Marion County’s task force is one of the hardest-working, largest-fundraising and most well-known of those in the state, in northwest Alabama, and especially in the counties served by Safeplace.
The MCDVTF is one of the largest supporters of Safeplace, and has been  for decades. And after working for years toward their goal, they even achieved the remarkable feat of being able to bring a safe shelter into Marion County.
Their reputation is golden. Their efforts are endless. Their determination is unmatched. If these sound like the kind of people you’d like to know and serve with, please get with them soon. There’s a variety of volunteer opportunities available, and they’d love to have some more help.
Now I’ve given them some credit, I’m sure they’d want me to note they would not have been able to do any of the things they’ve done and continue to do without the support of numerous other organizations, clubs, churches, businesses, municipalities and individuals in this county.
They may be the leaders, but this county is filled with strong followers who also serve, volunteer, promote, donate, assist, respond and open their hearts and wallets to help survivors and victims of domestic violence.
Now, on to more about two of their leaders, co-chair Bobby Blaylock and co-chair Kim Lolley, and their upcoming golf tournament.
Bobby remembers the first tournament in 2007, and he’s been associated with it nearly every year--basically 15 out of the 18 years its been happening.
He’s said the golf tournament serves as so much more than just a fundraiser, because it allows everyone in the county to come together for a common goal.
“The golf tournament allows our sponsors and our players a voice to be heard in support of what we do,” he said. “It’s just a great way for everyone to be involved.”
Kim also has 15 years of golf tournaments behind her, starting in 2010 and working consistently since then. Kim has five children, and at least two of them have attended the tournaments with her while they were newborns, worn in a little wrap.
“The golf tournament is a fun thing, but it also spreads awareness and raises money for a good cause, so we really enjoy putting it on,” she said. “So far, we’ve never had to cancel. We’ve played in the rain, and in hot and cold weather.”
And while she noted 100 percent of the fees paid by the players goes directly to the local safe shelter, she explained funds raised in other ways throughout the year are used by the task force to help other groups associated with aiding children.
“We’re expanding and trying to support other groups who work with children of domestic violence or who work with children in other ways, such as Addie’s Place, Kids for Life, Safeplace and One Place,” Kim said. “Anything where the ultimate goal is victims or children of victims of domestic violence.”
There’s still time to get your game on and participate in the 18th Annual Marion County Domestic Violence Task Force Golf Tournament on Friday, Oct. 3. Pick from tee times of 8 a.m. or 1 p.m. Register the day of for $65 per player. Lunch is at noon in the Club House. God willing, I’ll see you there!
And if golf isn’t your thing, you’ll have more ways to help support the task force and its mission in October. Purple Thursday is Oct. 16, and “The Purple Mile” is Oct. 17 at 9 a.m. at the Marion County Courthouse. See a T-shirt fundraising opportunity for “The Purple Mile” in the story on page 4B, with briefs on both happenings on this page.
You can also contact Kim at 205-921-6019 or find the task force on Facebook at “MarionCo Dvtf” for more information on events, meetings and volunteer opportunities.
For those in danger and in need of assistance, or who have a friend in need, please contact Safeplace’s confidential phone lines at 256-767-6210 and 800-550-9215. There’s also a national domestic violence hotline you can reach by texting “START” to 88788. Be safe. Be blessed.