De Mazenod Door outreach program the big winner at charity golf tournament

The 156-yard, par-three third at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville is a tough test.

Hitting over a large pond to a small green that is well-protected by bunkers makes birdie a rare feat — even on a calm day.

But nobody told Joshua Santucci, who stepped to the third tee with his 9-iron on a windy Wednesday in late June for the Bishop’s Charities Invitational golf tournament — and promptly struck his first hole-in-one.

The shot landed him $20,000 and somehow that wasn’t even the best news of the day. That was reserved for the outcome of the second annual golf event: over $70,000 raised in support of the De Mazenod Door outreach program in the Diocese of Hamilton.

Led by the event’s presenting sponsors, Tripemco Burlington Insurance Group, sponsors and golfers joined together to raise funds for the outreach program that serves the poor and marginalized of downtown Hamilton.

In the event’s first two years, more than $170,000 has been generated for De Mazenod Door, whose ministry continues to grow. Representatives from the Door — named after the founder of the Oblates, St. Eugene de Mazenod — were present for the day, including Fr. Tony O’Dell, OMI, the co-founder, and Outreach Co-ordinator Sherri Ramirez. O’Dell and Ramirez lead a team of volunteers and staff who provide meals, hope and dignity to those in need.

And the need is great. De Mazenod Door welcomes as many as 400 guests a day and served more than 100,000 guests in 2018 alone. “The door is the symbol of openness, welcome and hospitality,” says O’Dell.

“The ‘door ministry’ is a response to the immediate needs of our less fortunate parishioners and beyond in the heart of the city of Hamilton.”

While golfers and supporters wrapped up the day by sitting together for a meal and fellowship, guests were also being served downtown at De Mazenod Door — as they are 365 days a year. The Door is always in need of volunteers and donations of funds and food.

For more information on De Mazenod Door, visit demazenod-door.ca.