There seems to be a never-ending stream of questionable charitable events in the world today, especially within the intersection of gaming culture and philanthropy - and can often present intense scrutiny. A prime example of this is the Open Hand Foundation's (OHF) annual Golf Charity event, a gathering that, at one time, united gaming enthusiasts and philanthropists alike for the noble cause of supporting Jirard The Completionist's drive to help with the work on Frontal Temporal Dimensia, a disease that sadly took his mother's life. After everything came out about their lack of donations to supporting the cause over the course of nearly a decade, they are still moving forward as if nothing happened.
Despite the whirlwind of controversy, it's been confirmed that the OHF's Golf Charity event is moving forward, with recently released sponsorship costs for the 2024 iteration. To participate and have a logo featured on some event materials, the starting point is set at $750, indicating a barrier to entry that encompasses more than just the greens and fairways of golf. Beyond this, the event boasts a plethora of sponsorship opportunities, from cocktail sponsorships to a myriad of other promotional involvements, illustrating the depth and breadth of support for the cause.
I've noticed a lot of back-and-forth about this event... and with all the facts on the table, I'm beyond shocked at the audacity to continue this event after everything that's come out. There's a real concern over whether we can fully trust its integrity given past controversies.
But this goes beyond just organizing an event; it's about the bigger picture of being accountable, and understanding how much the public's view really impacts the world of charity. It's a complex situation that definitely has me thinking deeply about the role of trust people have with these events.
The Open Hand Foundation's (OHF) decision to push forward with the Golf Charity event, despite mounting controversies, seems like a misguided effort to cling to its cause. This decision, rather than showcasing dedication, raises serious concerns about the judgment of those at the helm and the potential for glossing over significant issues for the sake of appearance.
As the event draws closer, attention will shift to the sponsors and participants willing to associate with the OHF's now dubious mission. This moment will reveal much about the foundation, and perhaps more unsettlingly, about the values of the broader community that continues to support it. The real measure of this event's integrity will be in its transparency, the accountability of its organizers, and the actual use of the raised funds—if they truly benefit the intended causes. I've said it before and I'll say it again, if you want to support a specific charity, DO NOT go through a third-party organization that takes from the donations, especially one that fails to donate ANYTHING over the course of a decade until they get caught and called out by the public.
Basically, this Golf Charity thing is really showing how people's good actions can get messed up when everyone starts doubting and criticizing. It's like they're not really listening to what people are worried about and just pushing forward without fixing the real problems. As we're looking at the 2024 event, instead of feeling hopeful, most of us are kinda worried. We're scared it won't actually help the causes it's supposed to and might just make arguments between people worse, not better. This is a big deal moment where we really need to think about what's important and maybe even stop to figure out a better way to do things.
~Smash
