St. Lucie County Raises $6,500 to Purchase Water Purifiers for the Bahamas

FORT PIERCE, Florida, Oct. 22 -- St. Lucie County issued the following news:

In just three short weeks the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners raised $6,524 to aid the Bahamas in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian. These funds will directly benefit island residents and first responders in the Bahamas by providing water purifiers and funds to support missionary flights as they continue rebuild. County employees raised these funds by hosting a night golf tournament on Oct. 12 at Fairwinds Golf Course.

Sixteen teams competed in the shotgun-style tournament, hitting golf balls that glowed in the dark. The full moon and glow sticks helped golfers stay on the fairways and greens. The tournament also attracted 15 sponsors and 20 volunteers from the Board of County Commissioners, who donated their time organizing and managing the tournament. Specialty games such as The Longest Marshmallow Drive; The Ring of Fire and Closest Putt; not only raised additional funds; but added to the competitive nature of the tournament.

The winning four-some was St. Lucie County Commissioner Sean Mitchell; St. Lucie County Senior Planner Kori Benton; Rebecca Benton and Justin Hoover.

Through the Southeast Florida Region 7 All Hazards Incident Management Team, the official Florida State Emergency Response Team deployed by the Florida Division of Emergency Management to the Abacos. St. Lucie County will purchase two mobile water purification units for this team at cost of $5,000 with the additional revenue being donated to Missionary Flights International - a nonprofit organization located at the Treasure Coast International Airport and Business Park. These water purifiers, which are currently being installed in Abaco, Marsh Harbor and Treasure Cay, are specifically used in disaster situations as they can run on generator power with no additional plumbing.

Local businesses, individuals and organizations that donated to St. Lucie County's efforts include: A & G Pools; Edward Matthews (Food Sponsor); Everglades Farm Equipment; Gina Berry Collaborative; Howard & Marion Tipton (Glow Sponsor); HPM; Indian River Magazine; Law Office of Brian Mallonee; Lott Insurance Services; Madden Media (Ring of Fire Sponsor); Manpower: The Rusty Putter (Food Sponsor); St. Lucie County Economic Development Staff Team; St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office; St. Lucie Public Safety Employees; Venergy Group (Putting Green Sponsor) and Walmart Distribution Center (Long Drive Sponsor).

Located at 4400 Fairwinds Drive off U.S. 1 in northern Fort Pierce, Fairwinds Golf Course is an award-winning public course managed by St. Lucie County's Parks and Recreation Department.