On the greens of Airdrie's Woodside Golf Course, an event with a far-reaching impact is set to unfold on Aug. 24.
Thumbs Up Foundation’s annual golf tournament, now in its eighth year, is not just about birdies and bogeys; it's a testament to the power of turning personal tragedy into a force for positive change.
The tournament stands as a beacon of hope for mental health initiatives, thanks to the relentless efforts of the Titus family.
When the Titus family tragically lost their son Braden in 2015, they could have allowed their grief to consume them. Instead, they channeled their pain into a mission that has the potential to touch countless lives.
"It’s a way of raising some funds and allows things to keep moving forward for the foundation, this is our eighth annual golf tournament," said Kim Titus, Braden’s father and co-founder of the Thumbs Up Foundation.
Braden's passing brought into sharp focus the silent struggles that so many individuals face in their battles with mental health. In honour of his memory and the countless others who quietly suffer, the family established the foundation to bridge gaps in mental health support and drive positive change.
Titus emphasized the vital role of these events in spreading awareness and support for mental health in Airdrie and beyond. The Foundation will also hold its second annual Peace in the Park at Nose Creek Park on Sept. 23 – a family-focused event that will bring live entertainment and other activities to support the foundation’s cause.
"There’s always new people coming every year so those new people will learn about us so it’s a great day," Titus said.
According to Titus, the funds raised during both the golf tournament and Peace in the Park will play a crucial role in the foundation's efforts to remove financial barriers that often hinder individuals from accessing the support and treatment they need.
"It just allows us to keep going and we are advocating for positive change in the mental health area,” he said. “That’s been our goal for the last eight years because we felt that when our son passed away, there was a huge gap in the system so we are trying to correct those."
The Woodside Golf Course provides the perfect setting for the event. Beyond the swings and putts, the tournament symbolizes a community coming together to address a critical issue that affects countless lives. With each swing of the club, participants and supporters are driving the movement for change and lending their strength to a cause that transcends the fairways.
Titus said the golf tournament is already filling up with registrants.
“It starts [Thursday], so we are just getting ready to go and hoping for a sunny day,” he said prior to the City View’s deadline. It’s always been fun and that’s what it’s meant to be - an enjoyable day of getting together with friends and family.”
For those eager to join this noble cause as attendees or volunteers, information about the upcoming fundraisers can be found on the Thumbs Up Foundation's official website, thethumbsupfoundation.com, or their Facebook page.
