Golf tournament benefiting Idaho Make-A-Wish coming to Blackfoot

A local organization is hosting a golf tournament to benefit Idaho Make-A-Wish, and is looking for sponsors and participants.

Special Teams Idaho, founded five years ago by Blackfoot resident Mike Jorgensen, will host its first Special Teams Idaho Charity Golf Event on Aug. 30 at Blackfoot Golf Course.

The scramble tournament will feature approximately 20 four-person teams and gets underway with an 8:30 a.m. a shotgun start.

The Make-A-Wish cause is close to Jorgensen’s heart. Five years ago, Jorgensen’s son was granted a wish through Make-A-Wish Idaho and traveled with his family to Disney World in Florida, with all expenses paid.

Since then, Jorgensen said he has tried to find ways to give back to the organization, and believes the tournament provides a great opportunity.

“Ever since the experience we had, going through the experience he had with his wish, it really inspired my wife and I,” he said. “It’s just one of those foundations where it’s a good-feeling charity, and we feel kids are so important in life that we wanted to make sure to give back too.”

Shortly after returning from Florida, Jorgensen decided to become a wish granter, assisting other local children in making their wishes come true. Jessica Budzianowski, director of development at Make-A-Wish Idaho, said people like Jorgensen are a catalyst to helping families through difficult times.

“I love to think of them as joy-makers,” she said. “They get to meet our wish families, they get to find out what that kid really wants — what their one true, heartfelt wish could be.”

On average, Make-A-Wish Idaho grants around 90 wishes per year to children across the state. But Budzianowski said there are more waiting for their wish to be granted.

“While it’s very exciting that we can do 90-plus wishes a year we do have about 140 Idaho wish kids that are just waiting for their wish,” she said.

The average cost per wish is $6,500.

With golf tournament, Jorgensen hopes to not only raise money to help children realize their dream, but to also raise awareness of the work and need for Make-A-Wish Idaho.

“Sometimes you tend to forget really why you’re (at the tournament),” he said. “So my biggest goal is to really create the atmosphere of what Make-A-Wish is, and part of that is really to bring happiness. The goal of my event is for it to really be a lot of fun. It’s not about the scores that come in, it’s really about having a good time.”

And events such as the Special Teams Charity Golf Event are key to helping Make-A-Wish spread awareness and allowing children to have their wish granted.

“Often a wish will bring them renewed energy and strength, and it will bring families closer together,” Budzianowski said. “And it gives them something to control when things are so uncontrollable.”

Spaces remain available for teams and sponsorship at the Special Teams Charity Golf Event. Entrance for a team of four is $300, and hole sponsorship is available for $100, or title sponsorship for $500. To learn more, or sign up, visit specialteamsidaho.com.