PIKETON, Ohio — A golf tournament organized by employees at the former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant has raised nearly $50,000 for charities across southern Ohio, continuing a giving campaign that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years.
The tournament was organized through the Southern Ohio Cleanup Company Employee Giving Campaign, according to a community announcement reported by the Chillicothe Gazette. Employees at the Piketon cleanup site raise money each year for charities across a four-county region, and this year’s outing added more activity on the course to push the total higher.
“This event is something people look forward to every year, we always have a waiting list,” SOCCo Director of Communications Shawn Jordan told the Chillicothe Gazette. “This year we added a lot more action to the course to help us reach our goal and are able to provide two large donations and several smaller donations throughout the year.”
The two largest gifts are $10,000 each. The first went to Ross County Special Olympics, which provides sports programs, community events and support for athletes with developmental disabilities, according to the announcement reported by the Chillicothe Gazette. Its athletes compete in local programs, and some are selected each year for the state competition at Ohio Stadium at The Ohio State University.
“We are more than thrilled to receive this generous donation from SOCCo,” Special Olympics & Special Projects Director Courtney Davis told the Chillicothe Gazette. “This will help so many athletes in so many ways.”
The second $10,000 donation went to the Salvation Army of Southern Ohio. The Portsmouth-based organization is expanding into Pike County and expects to need additional donations to meet increased demand, according to the announcement. Majors Mike and Dianna Morales recently took over leadership of the Salvation Army effort, the Chillicothe Gazette reported.
“Both of these organizations provide a lot of necessity to our community,” SOCCo President and CEO Pat Timbes told the Chillicothe Gazette. “It is an honor to support their impact on those they serve.”
The tournament is part of SOCCo’s broader Community Commitment Grant Program, with more information available at teamsocco.com. The remaining proceeds from the nearly $50,000 raised will go out as several smaller donations throughout the year, Jordan told the Chillicothe Gazette — meaning the two headline gifts are the start of this year’s giving, not the end of it.