09/23/2008

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

STATE SENATOR ED CHARBONNEAU, LEE LOUDERMILK AND AREA GOLFERS RAISE MORE THAN $11,000 FOR OPPORTUNITY ENTERPRISES

State Senator Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso) and Valparaiso Country Club President Lee Loudermilk today announced that more than $11,000 was raised during the inaugural "One Amazing Golf Outing" to benefit Opportunity Enterprises. "The golf outing was truly a success, thanks to the financial commitment put forth by the local business community and the scores of golfers who took the time out of their busy schedules to swing for a great cause," Charbonneau said. "The money raised will go toward helping challenged individuals from throughout Northwest Indiana live useful, productive and enriching lives.." The outing was held on Aug. 11 at Valparaiso Country Club and attracted more than 120 golfers. Major sponsors for the event were NIPSCO, Team Industrial Services and Indiana Grain Company. Loudermilk said that Valparaiso Country Club looks forward to hosting next year's "One Amazing Golf Outing" and turning it into a "signature event" for the 86-year-old country club. The organizing committee is in the formative stages of identifying a date for next year's outing. "On behalf of the more than 1,000 clients served by Opportunity Enterprises, we want to say thank you to Senator Charbonneau and Mr. Loudermilk for organizing such a wonderful event," Opportunity Enterprises President and Chief Executive Officer Gary Mitchell said. "We look forward to continuing our partnership with Senator Charbonneau and Mr. Loudermilk and creating an even more successful event next year."