08/07/2008

Contact: Kimberly Tomkiewicz (219) 464-9621 ext. 299

Valparaiso University Graduate Students Host Golf Outing to Support Opportunity Enterprises

Students in the Valparaiso University Sports Administration Master of Arts program spent their spring semester planning a golf outing to support the mission of Opportunity Enterprises. Through support from the community and university lead event, the students raised $1,000 as a donation to Opportunity Enterprises (OE). The title sponsorships were underwritten by local restaurants, Passtimes,, Bar Louie and Franklin House. Held at the Brassie Golf Club (Chesterton, IN) in May, faculty and students socialized with OE staff and clients during the highly successful event. Sponsorship chair, Amy Wittgenstein, found the event to be the perfect compliment to her educational goals at Valparaiso University, while giving back to the community in a meaningful way. "The SAGO (Sports Administration Golf Outing) allowed me an opportunity to refine the skills needed for running a major event. The event was solely run by students; the University Staff simply guided us and made suggestions,:" said Wittgenstein. "Because we [students] ran the event, we were able to take control and have full responsibility for the event. The Golf Outing was the perfect event for us to develop our marketing, networking and organizational skills." "We were honored to have the students choose Opportunity Enterprises as the beneficiary of the event and allow us to share in the day," said OE Director of Marketing and Events Carol Costakis. "The students did a wonderful job in organizing this event and making a connection to our clients and our (OE) mission. We are so fortunate to have another wonderful partnership with VU and look forward to continuing the relationship." Concluded Wittgenstein, "OE is a unique organization providing hundreds of individuals with opportunities they would have not otherwise been given. This is a great organization and I hope to work with OE again in the future to help support their mission and vision." Since 1967, Opportunity Enterprises, a non-profit organization, has been dedicated to promoting self-sufficiency and life choices for challenged individuals. OE serves over 1,700 individuals in Porter County and throughout Northwest Indiana.