Jody Shelley has teed off for the last time at Jody Shelley’s Golf Fore Health tournament.
Since 2005, the former NHLer has been the face and patron of the tournament which has generated $523,000 for the Yarmouth Hospital Foundation (YHF) to purchase equipment for the Yarmouth Regional Hospital, which serves Digby, Shelburne and Yarmouth Counties.
The Covid-19 pandemic forced the Foundation to cancel the golf tournament, along with the Spring Gala, for 2020. Prior to the pandemic Shelley had already decided to announce that 2020 would be his last year for involvement in the event to which he has so generously lent his name and his time. The decision was based on his schedule and other commitments. Shelley now works with the Columbus Blue Jackets and is a colour commentator in Fox Sports Ohio. He remains the most popular Moosehead ever. Last November he was inducted into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame. “The Foundation is tremendously grateful for the impact that this local sports legend and leader provided to the success of past events,” says YHF Board Chair Dr. Harold Cook.
Shelley’s decision has coincided with the new five-year strategic plan the YHF board has adopted, Cook says. “The plan takes our fundraising efforts in new directions. Consequently, the golf tournament will not be revived when the pandemic has subsided.”
A Board decision on future Spring Gala events has been deferred to September when it is hoped that there will be a better understanding of the feasibility and wisdom of such a large public gathering, he adds.
Also this year, the YHF is celebrating 50 years of serving the healthcare community.
“The impact of the Foundation’s lead effort on the quality of care through our regional hospital is nothing short of outstanding,” says Cook, explaining that plans are underway to celebrate this significant anniversary in the fall.
“Looking ahead,” he says, “our new strategic plan highlights different approaches to more effectively redirect staff and volunteer efforts towards more interactions with our donors and sponsors.” He promises more details on this in the near future.
“For 15 years, Jody Shelley’s Golf Fore Health was amazingly successful with major efforts from many volunteers, sponsors, participants staff, and, of course, Jody himself,” Cook says.
“Our ask now is that our sponsors and participants in a truly celebratory events that benefitted our local healthcare system continue to work with us to achieve even higher standards and impact as we enter our second half century as the primary hospital charitable foundation for our region,” he says.
“Thank you for all you have contributed to the Jody Shelley’s Golf for Health and please see this change as a new opportunity to support the healthcare needs of our community in a different and even more productive way.”
You may donate to the Foundation by:
- Mail — Yarmouth Hospital Foundation, PO Box 7, Yarmouth, NS B5A 5P4.
- Phone — 902-740-5873.
- Online — www.yarmouthhospitalfoundation.ca and click on the DONATE NOW button.
For more information contact: Harold Cook, YHF Board Chair 902-740-1911
Yarmouth Hospital Foundation
PO Box 7
Yarmouth, NS B5A 4B1
Tel: (902) 749-1669 Fax: (902) 749-0748
