Crisis Intervention Services Holds Annual Golf Outing

Many silent auction items were available at the CIS golf outing on Saturday. Such fundraisers help nonprofits like CIS to help individuals in need.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Many happy faces helping to raise money for a critical need in the community could be found at one area golf course on Saturday.

The 17th annual event was held at Edmundson Golf Course on Saturday morning to support Crisis Intervention Services (CIS). It’s the non-profits second largest fundraiser of the year.

“It’s a fun one. I really like this one because people come out and they golf and it’s a gorgeous day,” said Martha Comfort, who works in child sexual abuse prevention education with CIS. “People come out and they support us, and they play a round of golf.”

Lots of snacks and a lunch awaited the golfers, as well as an opportunity to bid on many silent auction items that were all donated. “This is important for us to stay doing what we are doing,” says Comfort.

“The money that we make helps us to continue to provide services to clients,” added Comfort. Approximately 1100 individuals were served by CIS last year.

Crisis Intervention Services has served not only Oskaloosa and Mahaska County, but 12 other counties, for the past 20 years. Oskaloosa is host to the only women’s shelter in the area.

CIS is also mobile to help advocate for victims. “We go to the victim. The victim doesn’t have to come to us,” added Comfort. “We meet the need of the people that walk in the door that say, ‘I have no place to live, and I’m fleeing’.

Many nonprofit organizations are not fully funded, and events like the golf outing on Saturday are important stop-gap measures that ensure needed services continue. “You have to go out and fill the gaps in,” added Comfort of the fundraising effort. “This helps fill the gaps so we can keep going.”

Comfort loves her work and advocating for those in need. “I look forward to the impact that we make on people’s lives.”