News and Events

From Open Door Outreach Center Fall 2007 Newsletter

Ongoing and Future Events

The Outhouse Open

Take 144 men, give them a little food, a little drink, and out them on a golf course for the day and what do you have? Very happy guys, having a good time, and raising money for charity. That was the “Outhouse Open Golf Outing” benefiting Open Door Outreach Center. Once again, organizer T.J. Rivard and a group of dedicated men took time off work on a beautiful day in July and headed to Hartland Glen to help Open Door help our community.

A good time was had by all thanks to the hard work of T.J., his volunteers, and all those who paid for hole sponsorships and donated gift items.

You may wonder how the outing got its name. According to T.J., the event started in 1968 at the Roseland Golf Course in Windsor. The participants needed a name and because they were discussing the issue at the 9 th hole, where there was an outhouse, well you get the picture.

As a former teacher, coach, principal and then Director of Children Service for Waterford School District for 20 years, T.J. Rivard has a special place in his heart for children. SO much so that he is currently an assistant professor at Madonna University instructing future Special Education teachers. For many years, T.J. held the golf outing to benefit Special Olympics of Waterford School programs. After semi-retirement in 2000, T.J. brought his event to the Open Door. He has been a valued friend and volunteer ever since. In fact, T.J. Rivard was named the 2005 Golden Key Award recipient. His response to the award, “I am very humbled by this honor and equally honored to do what we do for Open Door.” We at Open Door feel honored by his presence.