Annual Disc Golf Tournament Raises $18,000 for Homeless Animals
The year was 2012, and Tyler G. Anderson, a member of the Harford County Disc Golf Club, had just volunteered to chair the annual tournament the following spring. He had also just convinced club members to designate proceeds to benefit his favorite cause: homeless animals. But shortly after his 21st birthday later that year, and before he could realize his dream of hosting the tournament, Tyler’s life was tragically cut short in a car accident.
His grief stricken parents vowed to push on and make the kind of impact that Tyler didn’t get the chance to. In 2013 Tyler’s parents, Glenn and Annie Anderson, held their new annual tournament – Let’s Throw for Tyler Together – and donated $10,000 to the Humane Society of Harford County (HSHC). Over the next decade, the tournament would donate a total of $78,000 to support the mission of HSHC.
This year’s 12th annual Let’s Throw For Tyler Together tournament was the largest yet, and for the first time, expanded to two days on Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9, 2024 at the Scarboro Hills Disc Golf Course in Street, MD.
On Saturday, July 27, the Andersons, together with members of the Harford County Disc Golf Club and the club’s vice president Corey Sargent, presented a check from the proceeds of the tournament, keeping the final amount a surprise until their arrival.
“We were aiming to get to $100,000 this year, but we’re just shy. Next year!” said Glenn Anderson, during the check presentation. The check which totaled $18,000 was the highest donation from the tournament to date. Heartfelt speeches were also given by Tyler’s mom, Annie, and Sargent.
This year, HSHC executive director, Bob Citrullo, had a surprise of his own. “Tyler’s friends and family have raised nearly $100,000 for the homeless pets of Harford County, so we wanted to do something to permanently honor him here at the shelter. Today I would like to dedicate two new play yards to Tyler!”
County Executive Bob Cassilly presented the Andersons with a proclamation, officially dedicating the yards in memory of Tyler G. Anderson, and Citrullo unveiled a plaque in the garden in front of the yards.
The Andersons were invited to cut the ribbon, and members of the disc golf club brought their dogs into the newly opened yards to explore.
“Giving shelter dogs daily access to fresh air and exercise is an important part of their enrichment,” Citrullo added. “It’s a great way to keep them mentally stimulated and ultimately more adoptable.”
The fenced yards are situated on a quiet hill overlooking the animal shelter, have sail canopies for shade, benches for staff and volunteers to sit with the dogs, and a pump house nearby to provide fresh water. Volunteer Ed Howser could hardly wait to bring shelter dog Bella out to enjoy one of the yards and for the rest of the weekend, volunteers and staff took advantage of the sunny weather to bring dogs out to play. Tyler would be so proud.
About the Humane Society of Harford County
The Humane Society of Harford County, Inc., is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to the welfare and well-being of the approximately 3,500 animals that arrive each year. HSHC promotes the kind treatment of homeless, stray and abandoned animals by providing shelter, care, adoptions, and community education. HSHC is not a county agency nor is it affiliated with any national or regional organization. Tax-deductible donations, bequests, and proceeds from events are crucial to its life-saving efforts on behalf of the animals in the community.
