With the strong philanthropic involvement that Penn State boasts, organizations sometimes struggle to find unique ways to keep students engaged and active in charity fundraising events. Bake sales get boring, date auctions feel stale — the list goes on and on.

In an effort to combat this, Swings For Soldiers Penn State introduced a unique fundraising opportunity to campus, allowing students and members of the local community to play golf to raise money for the Semper Fi Fund, a charity looking to provide immediate financial assistance to wounded, ill, and injured members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families.

The organization’s main event, the Swings For Soldiers Classic, will take place on April 15 and give students the opportunity to compete at the Toftrees course in a tournament-style match, with prizes going to the winners. Students and veterans can sign up a foursome for $70 per golfer or individually at $80. Non-students and non-veterans can also enter the tournament at $120 per member of a foursome and $130 individually. Registration closes Friday and interested golfers can sign up here. Along with a round of golf that includes a cart, the registration fee includes breakfast and lunch on the day of the event.

Swings For Soldiers Penn State President Robbie Reiche says that, so far, the tournament has been well-received by students and the community.

“So far we’ve gotten really good feedback from everyone, both students and the general community,” he said. “We’ve already gotten more than 90 students, adults, and veterans signed up, we’ve been able to partner with OrderUp as our tournament sponsor, and we’ve teamed up with several other local businesses and groups too, so we’re extremely excited. The Semper Fi Fund has been a great organization to work with and it’s awesome to be able to get the Penn State community involved with them.”

The Semper Fi Fund was established in 2004 and has since given more than $120 million to more than 15,000 members of the armed forces and their families. The group donates 94 percent of its proceeds to the families, and has received a rating of A+ Top Rated from CharityWatch.