Duluth, Ga.-Based Engineering Firm Signs on as Presenting Sponsor for Golf Tournament that Serves as Annual Fundraiser for Local Nonprofit with a Mission to Break the Cycles of Homelessness, Poverty and Domestic Violence; Invites Other Companies to Follow Suit
Duluth, Ga., February 27, 2019 – On May 6, 2019, dozens of golfers will take to the course at TPC Sugarloaf to make a difference with each swing of their clubs. Marking Rainbow Village’s Second Chance Golf Classic, the event serves as one of the largest fundraisers of the year for a nonprofit with a mission of breaking the cycles of homelessness, poverty and domestic violence in the lives of Northeast Metro Atlanta families. But before the first golfer tees up that day, a lot of planning and preparation must take place. Tackling the role of presenting sponsor is Columbia Engineering, a Duluth, Ga.-based engineering firm situated just six blocks away from the Rainbow Village campus.
“Community engagement is a great way to get involved outside of our bubbles,” said Randy Strunk, PE – Partner at Columbia Engineering. “There’s so much more to the community than what’s right in front of us. In addition to serving our clients in the best way imaginable, Columbia Engineering believes it’s important to learn about the different organizations that make up our community and give back in a meaningful way. We recently took a tour of Rainbow Village and senior management at our firm was really drawn to what they’re doing to transform the lives of homeless families. The Second Chance Golf Classic is our first partnership with Rainbow Village, and we want to make a big impact.”
Named Second Chance Golf Classic as a nod to Rainbow Village’s role in providing new beginnings to families who recently faced homelessness, poverty or domestic violence, the event’s tagline says it all: “The course of life can be a challenge. Sometimes we need a mulligan.” Strunk invites other companies to jump on board in hopes of providing as many second chances as possible, citing everything from contest or golf cart sponsors to Platinum and Titanium level sponsorships – each endowed with its own set of perks.
“It’s important to get involved. If not with Rainbow Village and the Second Chance Golf Classic, then with one of many other deserving organizations out there in Gwinnett County and North Georgia,” added Strunk. “For those who DO choose to become a sponsor of the Second Chance Golf Classic, we are making every effort to create a fun, standout event that sponsors and golfers look forward to every year. This won’t be your run-of-the-mill Spring Golf Tournament.”
In addition to its involvement with Rainbow Village and the Second Chance Golf Classic, Columbia Engineering takes pride in its relationship with the faculty and students at Coleman Middle School and its STEAM program. The engineering firm also actively participates in Engineers Without Borders, Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful, Boy Scouts of America – Northeast Georgia, Gwinnett County Public Schools’ Quest Program, MathCounts and more. Not limited to serving organizations in Gwinnett County alone, Columbia Engineering is honored to lead an initiative to provide a clean and sustainable water source for the Cerro Verde community in Ecuador.
“We are incredibly grateful to Columbia Engineering for taking a leap of faith after learning about Rainbow Village and making the generous offer to serve as this year’s Presenting Sponsor of the Second Chance Golf Classic,” said Melanie Conner, CEO of Rainbow Village. “The Columbia team understands that it ‘takes a village’ to make a lasting impact. We hope other local corporations and organizations will follow their example by filling the remaining sponsorship opportunities and making this year’s event one of our best fundraisers to date. There are also plenty of opportunities for individual golfers and foursomes to take part in the Second Chance Golf Classic. While it’s a tournament and a victor will be declared when all is said and done after a fun day on the golf course, the real winners of this event will be the families we serve.”
To sign on as a sponsor for the Rainbow Village Second Chance Golf Classic, interested parties can visit the Golf 2019 page at www.rainbowvillage.org.
About Rainbow Village: Established in 1991 and based in Duluth, Georgia, Rainbow Village is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization devoted to breaking the cycles of homelessness, poverty and domestic violence. Committed to serving as a “community of transformation”, Rainbow Village applies a holistic, two-generational approach to serving homeless families with children. With the goal of helping families achieve emotional stability and financial independence, Rainbow Village provides housing, early childhood education and after-school care, child and youth programming, financial planning, career counseling, workforce readiness, mental health counseling, community events and more. Rainbow Village accepts applications from homeless families with minor children throughout Georgia. To learn more about Rainbow Village, register as a volunteer or make a donation, visit www.rainbowvillage.org.
About Columbia Engineering: Incorporated in 1963, Columbia Engineering and Services, is a professional services civil engineering firm headquartered in Duluth, Georgia. Columbia’s services include land planning, site development, land surveying, transportation design, water resources, LEED® project design, landscape architecture, and construction engineering inspection. Columbia is proud to be an active contributing member of the Duluth community. www.columbia-engineering.com.
