The third Annual Jordan Old Memorial Golf Tournament took place in Brandon in early August, to lift up a dear friend and son who died tragically on the job in 2022. The event was also to raise funds and awareness for those who desperately tried to save his life. Jordan was about a week away from his 30th birthday when he was involved in a work-related accident and succumbed to his injuries after life-saving efforts by the Brandon EMS team, Brandon hospital staff and STARS air ambulance paramedics. Jordan, beloved son of Bill and Shelly Old, passed away on Saturday, October 22, 2022. When six of Jordan's closest friends hosted a memorial golf tournament for their friend the following year, this with the blessing of Jordan's parents, they were shocked by the number of people who registered for the tournament and the $15,000 raised for the memorial fund that would go to STARS Air Ambulance. Each year the level of support, both financially and in sponsorship and attendees, has increased exponentially. Organizing Committee Treasurer and family friend, Derien Penziwol, say 2025 was the third year for hosting the memorial golf tournament, and once again the community support was overwhelming. The tournament was held on August 8th at Wheat City Golf Course in Brandon and raised $33,000 with the funds to be donated to STARS and to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation. "It was our third annual golf tournament that we held this year. And I think each year just has a different feel to it," shares Penziwol. "Where year one was just obvious sadness and heartache, and year two was more cheerful and just trying to almost be the exact opposite of the year before, where both years were fun but they just they had different feelings with each day." "And then year three was somewhat of a combination of both and us just kind of realizing how far we've come and how the support somehow continues to grow and grow," he explains. "Year one was way past anything we ever thought, and then year two was even bigger, and year three once again just surpassed what our previous year was." "So, I think it's a testament to once again Jordan's family and everybody that they touch in the community," adds Penziwol. "Everybody seemed to have a great day and at the end of the day we raised a good amount of money. We never go in with any expectations really and just hope that we can do something that touches the lives of others and give back for a service for people to hopefully never having to use." The memorial fundraiser surpassed last year's total by about $6,000. "Last year we were just over $27,000 and this year we're right around that $33,000 mark that we raised as total funds," shares Penziwol. He says the committee of Jordan's friends and family never go into the planning of the tournament with a specific goal in mind. "The fact that the number kind of just keeps growing based off of us just trying to do something honest is amazing! We're really just trying to focus on is not going in with expectations. We want the tournament to remain more about community and camaraderie and coming together." Representatives of both STARS and the BRHC Foundation were able to attend the golf tournament and show their support, creating a meaningful full-circle moment. Their presence allowed for valuable conversations with attendees, helping to raise awareness not only about each of the organizations' missions but also about the initiatives of the supporting groups. This interaction helped clarify where the funds go and how they are used, making the process more transparent and easier for everyone to understand, says Penziwol. "So, I think that's the big difference a lot of the times with people is the more transparency that you can give to them and the more that people can feel like they have some sort of a connection to those foundations, the more comfortable they are to come out and support and continue to support. So, it is a nice feeling when they when they do come out," he adds. Derien Penziwol recognizes that it truly takes a village to put on an event like this. While the organizing group comes together for a common cause, it’s the broader community that makes it all possible. “It’s not really about us,” Penziwol says. “We simply wanted to do something meaningful to remember our dear friend Jordan, Billy and Shelley’s son.” For Penziwol, the heart of the event lies in how the community rallies together in support of a shared goal, creating a lasting legacy in Jordan’s memory. “Even if we had only raised five dollars, it would still mean the world to us,” he said. “Because it’s given in his name, and it’s a way to keep not only our memory of him alive, but others’ as well. .... Yeah, it's hard to believe sometimes." Please watch the 2025 Jordan Old Memorial Golf Tournament video on YouTube HERE!