First Tee Cleveland Hosts Grit, Gratitude & You Breakfast on Oct 27

First Tee – Cleveland will host the 11th annual Grit, Gratitude & You breakfast fundraiser on Thursday, October 27 at Windows on the River, 2000 Sycamore Street, in downtown Cleveland.

The mission of the non-profit organization is to positively impact the lives of local youth ages 6 to 18 by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.

A celebration of First Tee – Cleveland’s positive impact along with the achievements of its participants, the program will include:

• Presentation of The Del de Windt Leadership Award for Civic Engagement to David Gilbert, President and CEO Destination Cleveland & Greater Cleveland Sports Commission;

• A lively conversation about the impact of sports on Northeast Ohio with David Gilbert and moderator Dan Moulthrop, CEO of The City Club of Cleveland;

• Guest speaker Desiree Powell, Executive Director of Health, Physical Education, Interscholastic Athletics & Student Activities, Cleveland Metropolitan School District;

• An interactive panel of First Tee Alumni;

• Special vocals by NiQuita Baker, Manager of Fiscal & Athletic Operations, CMSD; and,

• The Doris A. Evans, M.D. Merit Scholarship presentation to a First Tee participant.

With its main campus at Cleveland Metroparks’ Washington Golf Course in Newburgh Heights, First Tee – Cleveland delivers programs at: Briardale Greens Golf Course in Euclid; Meadowood Golf Course in Westlake; Grantwood Golf Course in Solon; Whiskyville Golf Club in South Amherst; Brentwood Golf Course in Grafton; Black Brook Golf Course in Mentor; and Proximity Golf Lounge in Cleveland Heights.

Independent research has shown the First Tee curriculum has a positive impact on the participants’ grades, self-confidence and social responsibility. In 2022, the chapter will serve more than 2,500 kids and teens through the program locations and community partners, plus more than 8,000 students through the First Tee School Program. This year, the chapter established a new partnership with Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD). Over the next three years, all 66 K-8 schools will have the First Tee program as part of their Physical Education class.

First Tee’s participant fees contribute only 7% of the annual revenue necessary to deliver impactful programs. Proceeds from the event will enable First Tee – Cleveland to extend its reach to more youth in need of social, emotional and physical support in our community.

Co-chairs of the event are Debbie Berry, Joe Boehm and Julie Lamb.

Breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m., and the program takes place 8:00-9:00 am. Tickets are $150 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are available.