Like much of 2020, what began as despair, turned into triumph. The Episcopal Church of St John the Baptist (StJB, Sanbornville, NH), started the year exuberant about its premiere community outreach program -- its annual EpiscoGolf Tournament. After all, 2020 marked EpiscoGolf’s notable 25th year, under the able committee of Peter & Loretta Campbell, Jim Keating, Maureen Gillum & Father Dave DeSalvo. In early Spring, given the uncertainties of Covid-19, StJB reluctantly cancelled the physical golf tournament slated for August 19, 2020 at Province Lake Golf Course. 

While the tournament couldn’t be held, the need of many worthy local children’s charities – which have come to rely on St John’s EpiscoGolf help for decades - had intensified. In June the committee opted to try a new virtual Golden Ticket Raffle this year in order to continue to support our local children’s charities that needed our help now more than ever. Our initial goal was to bring in $5,000 to $6,000 – roughly half of EpiscoGolf’s normal golf tournament take – to help the kids. 

Quite astonishingly, by mid August our amazing village came together to bring in a total of more than $12,900 between the raffle and generous sponsorships for StJB’s virtual EpiscoGolf 2020. Even the grand prize raffle winner, who was selected at the drawing in front of the Poor People’s Pub August 19th, graciously (and anonymously) turned his $2020 winnings back in to help EpiscoGolf’s children’s charities. As always, 100% of EpiscoGolf proceeds will go to help children’s charities.

Now, StJB EpiscoGolf’s efforts turn to accepting and reviewing grant applications from local children’s charities. We encourage any organization serving local children in need to download the easy one-page StJB’s 2020 EpiscoGolf grant application at https://www.stjohntb.org/episcogolf and submit to StJB by October 30, 2020. Please contact Maureen at mgillum.m@gmail.com for any questions or concerns.  

Despite the pandemic, St John’s 25th EpiscoGolf was far more successful than anyone expected and demonstrated the true goodness, selflessness and kindness within our community. After grants are distributed later this year, EpiscoGolf will have collectively donated more than $96,000 to local children’s charities. Thank YOU all for your support in continuing St. John’s crucial non-denominational community outreach program – and we hope to see you back on the Province Lake links for StJB’s 26th EpiscoGolf in August 2021.

By Maureen Gillum, 8-28-2020