Brookwood in Georgetown (BiG) is an innovative vocational and residential community for adults with special needs. It’s possible that our society has misunderstood the value of offering meaningful work and purpose to those with disabilities. By celebrating the innate worth of its Citizens and validating their dignity, BiG is changing history.
“Architects of Change” is this year’s annual fundraiser. The focus for the annual BiG Golf Benefit is to raise support and sponsorship for the cause itself. Because funding for the community’s yearly operating expenses is largely based on the success of the benefit, every Citizen participates in the campaign.
Instead of a typical pay-to-play golf tournament, each Citizen serves as a team captain, with the goal to raise $10,000. BiG attempts to partner each Citizen with a local business or an individual who will help rally alongside them; send out awareness letters, ask others to consider supporting their team captain, and share the BiG story.
Once committed, the sponsor has a team of four. Together each helps a Citizen share his or her personal story and campaign for the funds. Some businesses, such as Dell, are a matching grantor, matching every dollar an employee from Dell contributes.
“It’s just a goal,” says Erin Kiltz, founder and director of BiG. “No one is expected to write a check for $10,000. We would rather you share the story ten times than write a $10,000 check, because the rest just happens. You come to lunch in the Café, you come on a tour on a Wednesday and see BiG, and people just naturally want to offer support.”
The morning of the Benefit, Citizens arrive for a celebration breakfast, a delicious start to a fun day, which usually includes their own putt-putt contest. Later, the Citizens and their families will see their sponsors off to play. “It’s really a golf day for the sponsors,” Kiltz said. “It’s a day to focus on those dedicated, fundraising sponsors and honor them.”
In the seven years since BiG launched its first Golf Benefit, with the exception of the year they launched their capital campaign, the Citizens of BiG have met their goal. For 2019, the goal is $550,000, and 100 percent of the proceeds go to the program.
Donations to the golf benefit will be accepted through December 31st.
Donations can be mailed to 905 S. Church St Georgetown, 78626
or select a team and sponsor direct at BrookwoodInGeorgetown.org
Other BiG events this fall
| Fri, Sept. 12, 5-8pm | Honey Re-launch and Late Night Shopping | BiG Shop 905 N. Church St, Georgetown |
| Mon, Oct 14 | Golf Benefit Celebration | Golf Sponsor Invitation |
| Fri, Nov 1 | 8th Birthday Celebration and Late-night Shopping | BiG Shop 905 N. Church St, Georgetown |
| Wed.-Sun., Nov. 20-24 | A Christmas Affair Holiday Market | Community Impact Center 5330 Bluffstone Lane, Austin |
| Fri, Nov 29 | Christmas Tree Farm Opens | Big Greenhouse 905 N. Church St, Georgetown |