United Way golf fundraiser for struggling residents

NEWTON — It was 1977 and the PGA of America had voted to accept female members. That same year, Helen “Honey” Ackerman established a women’s-only golf fundraiser tapping into a growing recognition that women needed to get in on the sport of business.
Today, 40 years later, United Way Women United carries on Ackerman’s legacy, providing women with an opportunity to network and sharpen their golf skills while also improving the lives of local women and children in need.
United Way Honey Open Golf Outing will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Ackerman’s foresight to combine those two passions – golf and local philanthropy -- on Monday, September 11 at the Farmstead Golf & Country Club, 88 Lawrence Road in Lafayette.
This women’s-only golf event will raise funds to support scholarship opportunities for local women and their families who are ALICE — Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — living paycheck to paycheck and struggling to afford the basics.
“Honey began this tournament during a time when women playing golf was still coming into its own,” said United Way Community and Corporate Relations Associate Director Monica Lemperle. “United Way is proud to carry on Honey’s legacy both on and off the course.”
Ackerman launched this women’s-only tournament more than a decade before an international organization was formed and summits with golf industry leaders were held to help promote golf among women.
Women United provides philanthropic women with networking and career building opportunities across the region while also helping ALICE women and those in poverty become more financially self-sufficient. It was a natural fit when Women United assumed leadership of this event honoring Ackerman, a former Sussex County clerk. Ackerman believed women and children should have access to resources to build a better life, subsequently helping to build a stronger community.
Event proceeds will go toward three of United Way’s ALICE scholarship programs. United Way partners with child care centers to provide professional development opportunities for educators and to allow families access to quality child care. In addition, United Way and Sussex County Community College provide matching funds to help ALICE students complete their post-secondary education.
To participate in the outing and contribute to these scholarship programs, women can choose one of two ways to play:
 A nine-hole scramble lesson for golfers interested in learning more about the game
 A traditional 18-hole scramble for experienced golfers
The outing will begin with registration at 7 a.m. followed by an 8 a.m. shotgun start for 18-hole golfers. The nine-hole lesson will begin at 9 a.m. The $125 per person registration includes golf, continental breakfast and an awards luncheon.
To date, event sponsors include Signature Sponsor Selective; Presenting Sponsor Griffin & Howe; Platinum Sponsor Thorlabs; Gold Sponsors Bentley Assisted Living at Branchville, Elizabethtown Gas, First Hope Bank, Investors Bank and Sussex County Community College Foundation; and Silver Sponsors Deliotte, Morville Agency and Provident Bank. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.
For more information or to register by Monday, August 29, visit www.UnitedWayNNJ.org/HoneyOpen2017, email Monica.Lemperle@UnitedWayNNJ.org, or call 973.993.1160, x409.
About United Way of Northern New Jersey
United Way of Northern New Jersey is a nonprofit organization working to improve people’s lives and strengthen communities by focusing on Education, Income, and Health. These are the building blocks for a good life – a quality education that leads to a stable job; the tools needed to achieve financial stability; and good health. We lead caring communities to create long-lasting changes that transform people’s lives. Together, united, we can inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow. United Way of Northern New Jersey serves Morris, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren counties as well as portions of suburban Essex County, including the Caldwells, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Millburn-Short Hills, Montclair, Roseland, and Verona. Give. Advocate. Volunteer. LIVE UNITED. To learn more, call 973.993.1160 or visit www.UnitedWayNNJ.org.