Following the “Birdie Club” tradition, when a golfer scores a “birdie” (one under par), he or she receives a “birdie dollar” from other players in the group. Birdies 4 Babies, a Central Oregon fundraiser supporting the mission and work of MountainStar Family Relief Nursery, is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this golf season.
Jen Rusk, MountainStar’s Development Director, says “this amazingly successful grassroots golfing fundraiser was initiated—and continues to be championed by— community golfers themselves on behalf of MountainStar’s child abuse prevention work. We are so grateful for the funds this program brings, and we love how much fun local golfers have participating!”
Birdies 4 Babies was conceived by Kathy Murch, MountainStar Board president at the time, and five other avid golfers and good friends of MountainStar. Following the “Birdie Club” tradition, when a golfer scores a “birdie” (one under par), he or she receives a “birdie dollar” from other players in the group. Explains Murch, “the six of us decided that we could easily save our birdie money and donate it to MountainStar. That was year one… we adopted the name ‘Birdies 4 Babies’ and contributed about $500. Since then, Birdies 4 Babies has taken on a life of its own!”
Like all Relief Nurseries, MountainStar’s role is to support the most vulnerable children in the community. “The children we serve are at high risk of abuse due to circumstances in their lives and families, “explains Tim Rusk, MountainStar’s Executive Director.“We reach these vulnerable children between the ages of six weeks and four years. These are kids who rarely have access to high quality child development opportunities at a time when early intervention is absolutely essential. Birdies 4 Babieshas made a huge impact in our ability to serve these families.”
The women in the original Birdies for Babies, or B4B, group took the idea back to their home clubs, where other golfers signed on. What started with the goal to raise a few dollars and spread the word about MountainStar’s child abuse/neglect prevention program has blossomed into a solid fundraiser as golfers in the community embraced the cause. Over the years, both amateur golfers as well as professional golfers throughout Deschutes and Jefferson counties have become involved with Birdies 4 Babies.
Today Birdies 4 Babies funds are donated to MountainStarin a variety of ways, including contributions of birdie dollars and tournament winnings, the sale of gently used golf balls and proceeds from an annual B4B golf tournament hosted by volunteers from Crosswater Club. Since its inception, over $172,000 has been raised, with all the funds directly supporting MountainStar’s programs. According to Murch, “Birdies 4 Babies works well because it’s such a simple concept, and the golf course provides a terrific venue for advocates of MountainStar to talk about the imperative role it plays in our community.”
To collect birdie dollars, other winnings or donations for MountainStar, Birdies 4 Babies “kits” are available. To receive a B4B kit, contact Jen Rusk, MountainStar Family Relief Nursery at 541-322-6820 or jenr@mountainstarfamily.org.
About MountainStar Family Relief Nursery
Nationally accreditedand recently recognized as a 5-Star quality program, MountainStar Family Relief Nursery (“MountainStar”) provides crisis intervention and a therapeutic classroom for 275 babies and young children from six weeks to four-years-old in Deschutes and Jefferson Counties. These children come from families with multiple risk factors for child abuse and neglect, including low income, homelessness, mental health issues, domestic violence, and substance abuse. Children at this critical age represent half of the victims of child abuse and are at a stage in their development when it is essential to have attached and attentive caretakers. Relief Nurseries have documented success in reducing family risk factors for child abuse and neglect, improving family functioning and self-sufficiency and reducing foster care utilization.
For more information about MountainStar and its programs, please visit www.mountainstarfamily.org or call (541) 322-6820.
