By Cameron Reichenbach / The Jambar
The annual Paula & Anthony Rich Golf Outing brought local businesses together to help support the Paula and Anthony Rich Center for Autism on Sept. 8.
Hosted by the Youngstown Country Club, community golfers were required to donate a sum of money to participate in the tournament. All proceeds went directly to the Rich Center to benefit students and families with financial needs.
A key component of the center’s fundraising efforts is the annual memorial golf tournament, also known as the PAR Golf Outing. The event draws support from local businesses, community members and sponsors.
Jake Ellis, event coordinator, said the tournament’s proceeds directly benefit the Rich Center and its members as well as raise awareness for autism.
“Our big goal is to raise enough funds to keep growing our programs and help even more kids and families. The need just keeps increasing, and every dollar goes straight toward making a real difference,” Ellis said. “We also want to get more people talking about autism and how we can all support each other — raising awareness is just as important as raising money.”
The center’s sustained growth and development rely heavily on the community’s continued engagement and support, exemplified by events such as the golf outing. Ellis said this year’s event added additional fundraisers to involve more participants.
“We’ve mixed things up a bit. We added a silent auction with some cool stuff — we want to do a purse bingo in January, just more ways for people to get involved. We want everyone to feel welcome and have a good time while supporting the cause,” Ellis said.
Beyond the tournament, Ellis said the Rich Center accepts help from community members looking to get involved.
“The tournament is a big highlight, but there are plenty of ways people can get involved year-round. Whether it’s volunteering, making donations, or even spreading the word about what we do, every bit helps. We’re always open to new ideas and getting more people on board to help kids with autism thrive,” Ellis said.
The Rich Center was established in 1995, and honors the memory of the late Paula and Anthony Rich, a mother and son who tragically lost their lives in the 1994 crash of USAir Flight 427.