Coggins Classic Charity Golf Tournament Raises $55,123 for Bennington Little League

10:49AM / Monday, September 16, 2024Print Story | Email Story

Coggins Auto Group is proud to announce the successful conclusion of the Coggins Classic Charity Golf Tournament, which raised an impressive $55,123 to benefit the Bennington Little League. The event, held at the scenic Mount Anthony Country Club, was the largest in the tournament’s history, attracting 26 teams, 57 business sponsors, over 40 raffle donations, and a crowd of over 140 attendees.

"On behalf of the League, we want to thank the Bennington Community, including individuals and businesses that helped us exceed our goals. The funds we have raised this year, and last, are going to help us finish our new indoor training facility. This facility will have 4000 square feet of indoor turfed space that can be used for a large array of activities. We as a league are excited to utilize the space but are excited to explore many other opportunities for other sports and programs as we move forward." - Geoff Metcalfe, Bennington Little League.

The tournament, which has been hosted at Mount Anthony Country Club for the last three years, featured a live performance by local favorite Carly Rogers and gathered substantial support from the community. The biggest sponsors for the event included Heritage Family Credit Union, Toyota, Kaman Composite, VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), 802 Plumbing and Heating, and ACV Auctions.

In a show of support, Toyota has generously pledged to match up to $10,000 of the tournament’s earnings, further enhancing the impact on the Bennington Little League.

"Our favorite part about this event is seeing the community come together to support causes that benefit local youth and families," said Valerie Harrington, Marketing Director for Coggins Auto Group and head of the Tournament Planning Committee. "At Coggins, we believe in reinvesting in the community that supports us. The money earned from selling and servicing vehicles goes right back into enriching the lives of families around us."

Coggins Auto Group begins accepting applications for the next charity recipient every year in mid-March. The chosen organization is selected through a community vote. Past beneficiaries have included the Sunrise Family Resource Center and the Bennington County Child Advocacy Center.

For more information about the Coggins Classic Charity Golf Tournament or to apply for next year’s recipient selection, please contact Valerie at Coggins Auto Group.

Vermont's 'Operation Game Thief' Helps Catch Poachers

08:02AM / Sunday, November 17, 2024

MONTPELIER, Vt. – Vermont State Game Wardens are asking Vermonters with information about fish and wildlife crimes to submit them through the Operation Game Thief program.

Operation Game Thief (OGT) is a joint nonprofit program sponsored by the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs and administered by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. The program provides a way for people to help protect the state's fish and wildlife by reporting law violators at 1-800-75ALERT (1-800-752-5378). The toll-free hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to report violations. Rewards are paid for information leading to arrests.

"Vermont is lucky to have dedicated wardens patrolling our fields, forests and waterways, but their numbers are limited," said Col. Justin Stedman. "Operation Game Thief is a great way for Vermonters to assist in reducing fish and wildlife violations by providing tips and information. We're asking people to call with details such as names and descriptions of perpetrators, and descriptions and plate numbers of vehicles whenever possible."

"Poachers steal the opportunity for others to legally hunt and fish and may create an unfairly negative impression of hunting and fishing with the general public," said Col. Stedman. "They may also target threatened, endangered or nongame species. We appreciate this partnership with the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs to help us catch and prosecute poachers through Operation Game Thief."

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