Disc golf fundraiser for VFW planned

Published 7:21 pm Friday, November 27, 2020

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A new nationwide event to benefit veterans has made its way to Suffolk.

A disc golf fundraiser is scheduled to raise money for the VFW Post 9382. The event has different time slots to sign up for, ranging from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 12 or Dec. 13 at Bennett’s Creek Park.

Chris Walton is organizing this fundraiser even though he is not part of the VFW and has never served in the military. He has many loved ones who have served in the military, allowing him to know the importance of supporting organizations like VFW.

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“I have not had a ton of direct experience, but I have many family members and friends who have, being active duty and veterans,” said Walton.

Walton has spent the past three years playing disc golf in his free time with a group of friends. When he heard of this fundraiser opportunity, he knew he had to jump on it.

“I have friends who I have been playing with that are helping me put this event together,” said Walton. “There’s also a decent number of vets we know who play too. It’s a cool opportunity to merge these two worlds together.”

Dynamic Discs is a large manufacturer of disc golf supplies. Starting last winter, Dynamic Discs started Veterans for Vets. This program is a fundraiser for organizations that support veterans like the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Its winter season runs from November to March and currently has 34 scheduled tournaments from 21 states, including New Mexico, Ohio, Texas and Minnesota.

This fundraiser will benefit the VFW Post 9382 on Pughsville Road. The VFW is a nonprofit for veterans to provide the help they may need once returning home. The money raised will help fund various services, including to help educate service members about benefits, provide training to help veterans with emotional stress, and help with military families’ bills.

“This is the first time the Suffolk VFW has done this,” said Walton. “There have been other events in Newport News and other areas for other veteran organizations, but not for Suffolk or this VFW Post.”

Initially, this fundraiser had only one time for everyone to come play. Now, due to Gov. Ralph Northam’s new gathering restrictions, participants can choose time slots online to allow the chance to those who want to play while still keeping groups below the 25-person limit.

“We have it set up online so that people can choose their time slot without creating conflicts the day of with the new gathering restrictions,” said Walton.

All skill levels are encouraged to participate, from first-timers to professional players. Participants can choose time slots, day, and skill level at tinyurl.com/vet4vet.