America's Credit Union's 15th annual Turkey Shoot golf tournament may not have broken any records, it may not have been televised, and may not have brought in any top-ranked golfers, but what it was able to accomplish will last a lifetime. Golfers and corporate sponsors alike flocked to Eagle's Pride Golf Course Nov. 6 with more than competition on their minds. The annual charity golf tournament provided a fun way for the participants to give back to military family members - and give they did.

From the player's entry fees to the corporate sponsors, every cent went to a great cause. Though there were several sponsors who have participated since day one such as Northwest Motorsports and Obee Credit Union; one sponsor donated just over 20 percent of the funds raised. Nisqually Red Wind Casino, a new sponsor to the event this year, definitely showed their appreciation of servicemembers and their families with a $7,500 donation in support of the event's cause.

According to America's Credit Union's Amy Tiemeyer, the coordinator of the tournament, this year ACU was able to raise just over $36,000 to donate to three Joint Base Lewis-McChord charities. Though this year did not take the top spot for money raised, the contributions were well above average and will go a long way to help military families struggling financially as well as to provide better healthcare for servicemembers and their families.

Santa's Castle, The Madigan Foundation, and the JBLM branch of the Armed Forces Community Service will each receive checks in the amount of $12,000 to further their work in supporting military families and their servicemembers. ACU is proud to be able to say that last year, with their help, Santa's Castle was able to help bring gifts to military children of more than 1,200 families; with this year's donation they hope to reach even more families. Families will be able to pick out gifts for their children that have been purchased with donated funds or donated new items from Santa's Castle at no cost. This goes a long way to ease financial troubles during the holiday season of already struggling families while giving their children memories that they will carry with them for a lifetime.

The Armed Forces Community Service has long since provided holiday meals to struggling families. Because of the success of the tournament, ACS will be able to donate an additional 345 gift cards that will provide meals to families. These gift cards will be able to be used at both Lewis and McChord commissaries. Much harder to quantify is the Madigan Foundation donation. These funds have been historically used for everything from purchasing glasses to paying for scholarships and furthering training. This donation has the ability to touch every person involved with JBLM. Though this year's tournament was a success, America's Credit Union hopes to be able to do even more for those that serve next year.