Letter: Edgewood committed to community involvement

This letter was sent to South Tahoe Now. We will be running all three "Letters to the Editor" received on the subject at the same time.

The inaccuracies and subjective opinion of a recent news story (not published on South Tahoe Now) compelled us to respond with the facts and true information about the volunteer food and beverage tents at American Century Championship.

Edgewood Tahoe’s executive team requested a meeting with Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe in early February for a briefing on the history of the golf tournament volunteer partnership. During that meeting concerns were raised about the distribution of funds, as it was discovered after reviewing available tax returns that Soroptimist had been holding approximately $450,000 in a bank account as opposed to distributing it to the community in a timely fashion. When asked, Soroptimist officers wouldn’t provide a plan or timeline for how the funds were to be used. There are many organizations in town that need help and Edgewood asked to be involved in determining a few, knowing that Soroptimist’s mission is to assist women and children. We were told flatly that we would have no input in where the funds are distributed – funds that the tournament held at Edgewood Tahoe helped generate. We sincerely appreciate Soroptimists’ active involvement over the years and recognize their efforts, but this answer was not satisfactory.

The article also suggested that the Boys and Girls Club would no longer be holding their fundraiser at Edgewood Tahoe. This is not true. The Boys and Girls Club is still holding its 21st annual golf tournament at Edgewood. This event raises between $40,000 and $50,000 each year for the club. Edgewood donates the golf course and all food and beverage served in the clubhouse for this event. The club was forced to discontinue an evening wine event the “Spirit of Spring,” because the wine purveyor is no longer involved. With the addition of the lodge, Edgewood now has group bookings year round and the clubhouse was unavailable for the Live Violence Free gala.

Edgewood has a long history of community support and involvement and those plans will continue as part of our long-held operating values. To that end, our team developed a philosophy on charitable giving that remains true to Edgewood’s traditions. The overarching beliefs include three different categories: educational, social, and environmental. As it has for years, Edgewood is committed to providing opportunities for local organizations, and the food tents at the golf tournament will continue to generate funds for local nonprofits. That is not changing, but now instead of just one group benefiting from this event there will be opportunities for other community nonprofits and Edgewood can ensure the proceeds will have a direct and immediate impact.

John McLaughlin
Edgewood Tahoe President/CEO