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Hope House supporters, volunteers hoping for great golf turnout

Board of Directors for the Hope House at Fatuoaiga are hoping for a great turnout tomorrow for the annual Hope House Fundraising Golf Tournament and raffle to support the work of the Dominican Sisters of the Trinity and staff at Hope House.

The major sponsor of the golf tournament is GHC Reid/Coors Light.

Two weeks ago, Most Rev. J. Quinn Weitzel, Bishop of the Diocese of Samoa Pago Pago, wrote to Lt. Gov. Faoa A. Sunia about the golf tournament seeking his support. “In the midst of economic uncertainty, when it seems that so many are living in hardship, Hope House represents all of what is good and certain in these troubled times,” he said.

Formerly known as Nazareth House, the facility provides 24/7 care for our elderly patients, terminally ill patients and children with severe disabilities. All proceeds from the fund raising goes to Hope House, which was first dedicated in January 1987 after its construction funded by the Sisters of Nazareth, who came to the territory in June 1984.

The first elderly resident was received on March 1, 1987 and the Montessori pre-school was opened in response to request from local residents on April 10, 1987. A subsequent request was made for the Sisters to provide respite care for children with severe disabilities.  The first child was received on August 12, 1987.

Current operations of the facility encompass Care for the Elderly — with 12 residents; Care for Children with disabilities — 9 residents; and  Day Care for Children with 80 students, of which 23 also attend the Montessori school.

Hope House board member, Rep. Larry Sanitoa says “we hope for good weather and a good turnout” tomorrow and this “annual fund raiser is the only other source or means we have to raise money to keep Hope House in operation.”

“Further, the building is 25 years old now and so it costs a lot to maintain it. As many of our residents know by now, we are all coping with various economic uncertainty and challenges. Reaffirming the words of Bishop Quinn, Sanitoa noted that many families are living with hardship,” adding “We want to emphasize to everyone who participates by playing Golf, buying a raffle ticket or simply making a donation… that their generous support is a tremendous source of assistance to the Dominican Sisters of the Trinity – who are maintaining the facilities for the patients in their care at Hope House.”

“These are elderly patients, terminally ill and severely handicapped children, patients whose daily care has been entrusted to God’s servants and for whom everyone participating in this annual fund raiser have the opportunity to help.”

With the generous support of local business sponsors and the help of many volunteers, he said the organization is able to put together this tournament.

(See full details about the fees and prizes in separate advertisements in the Samoa News)

The Diocese of Samoa Pago Pago – and its various parishes are participating either by sponsoring their teams, volunteering to help with the tournament, and donating food items. Breakfast and lunch are being provided for all tournament players.

Sanitoa says the raffle drawing will follow right after the golf tournament and announcement of winners will be made in due time. He said “you don’t have to be present to claim your prize.”