by Jeff Pederson
For The Beacon

Now in its sixth year of mobilizing local Christian churches to transform lives and communities through relationships in the name of Christ, Love INC of Sheboygan County is preparing for the third annual Love Fore Love event at Harbor Pointe Miniature Golf Course in Sheboygan on Saturday, June 15.

The event, which is set to run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., serves as one of the main annual fundraisers for Love INC of Sheboygan County and its continuing efforts to improve lives in Sheboygan County through a unified partnership with a large contingent of local Christian churches.

“We are really looking forward to Putt for Love again this year,” Harbor Point Miniature Golf Course co-owner Christy Moeller said. “Everyone that comes to golf during the Putt Fore Love event on June 15 will be supporting Love INC of Sheboygan County’s mission, as 100 percent of the sales for the day will go directly to Love INC.

“The best thing about the event is that all of the funds raised through Putt Fore Love stays here in Sheboygan County,” he said. “It is really important to note that and it is important for a lot of people to know that the money stays local to help people in our community. The more people come out that day, the better off we will all be as Love INC is doing some great things in our community to transform the lives of those in need.”

The event will feature an enjoyable mini golf experience for participants of all ages and skill levels, including several contests and prizes, as well as a special themed photo booth for those looking to show off their smile in celebration of National Smile Day on Saturday, June 15.

“It is going to be a great day for everyone to come out and play 18 holes of mini golf on our course,” Moeller said. “On top of that we will have a photo booth again, so people can show off their smiles for us to coincide with National Smile Day, which is also on that day. We will have some different themes in the photo booth and some props available in celebration of both Putt for Love and National Smile Day.”

In addition to the Harbor Point Miniature Golf Course, several other area businesses have stepped up to support this year’s Putt For Love event.

Hole sponsors include Anema Construction, Oostburg Lumber, South Pier Parlor, Happy Rocks and Jewelry, Sheboygan Paint Co., Miesfeld’s Meat, Oostburg State Bank, Rick and Julie Leonhard, U.S. Bank, Plenco, Blind Horse, Sun Graphics, Veritas Financial, Leif’s Performance Heating and Air Conditioning and North Shore Homes.

“Once again this year, we have a great group of local businesses that have come in to help us out as hole sponsors,” Moeller said. “We are very appreciative of their support and their efforts really help to make this a special event.”

Moeller was introduced to Love INC of Sheboygan County through her husband Justin, who  has support Love INC as a member of Plymouth Alliance Church.

“Justin has been a part of the Love INC Moving Gap Ministry at Plymouth Alliance Church,” Moeller said. “Through that connection, we decided to get involved in fundraising for Love INC with an annual event Harbor Pointe Mini Golf.”

All funds raised through Putt For Love will got to support the Love INC of Sheboygan County clearinghouse.

Formed in 2013, Love INC of Sheboygan County operates a clearinghouse to respond to neighbors-in-need with resources from local church ministries and the community.

“The proceeds raised will go towards our Clearinghouse Ministry, which is a call center for our neighbors,” Love INC of Sheboygan County Executive Director Katie Popp said. “The clearinghouse receives request for help, screens them, verifies the needs and our neighbor information, and refers the request to a Gap Ministry, church volunteer or community agency.

“The team in the clearinghouse follows up to ensure the need was met and to offer support,” she said. “The clearinghouse provides a connection to our neighbors as we work together to identify the root cause of their circumstances.”

Moeller likes the fact that Love INC offers an opportunity for neighbors to break the cycle of hopelessness, connecting them with caring individuals who model Christian beliefs through their interactions.

“We have always enjoyed supporting Love INC because they strive to provide a hand up, rather than a hand out,” Moeller said. “We really like how they give back to the community in such a positive way. As a business in this community, we feel it is important for us to give back and support organizations that are making our county better.”

Love INC of Sheboygan County volunteers will be on hand to distribute information throughout the day during Putt For Love on June 15.

“If people want to learn more about Love INC, there will be volunteers present throughout the day to talk about the organization,” Moeller said. “There will also be a variety of literature and information for people to pick up to learn more about Love INC throughout the day.”

Popp is thankful for the support of Harbor Pointe in making Putt Fore Love a success over the past two years.

“We are incredibly grateful that Kristy and Justin have been so supportive of our mission to transform lives in Sheboygan County in the name of Christ,” Popp said. “Kristy and Justin have supported Love INC since the very beginning and that really means the world to us.

“We thank them for their generosity and support,” she said. “Without it, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Putt For Love falls on the perfect weekend with it being Fathers’ Day weekend. It is a great family event and we hope to see a lot of families come out on that day.”

Harbor Pointe Miniature Golf Course, which is marking its 10^th season in business, is located at 322 South Pier Drive in Sheboygan.

For more information about Love INC of Sheboygan County, call 920-783-6701, email katie@loveincsheboygancounty.org or visit http://www.loveincsheboygancounty.org