Tomorrow is the last chance to register for the 2nd Annual fundraising golf tournament for the Alpha House being spearheaded by Tom Jackson at the Bearspaw Golf Club on Aug. 16.

There are about 20 spots available at this writing.

Jackson is a well-known musician, actor, and philanthropist. He's a volunteer and supporter of Alpha House's Indigenous programming.

"This work can save lives, and we have an opportunity to play a part," says Jackson. "Through this tournament, we can enjoy an afternoon of camaraderie and meaningful connections, knowing the funds raised will make a difference to Alpha House clients."

He's been a member of Calgary's Downtown Outreach Addictions Partnership (DOAP) for about three years.

"If somebody calls me as a member of the DOAP team, I don't care what you're problem is, I'm coming.  We get calls from Calgary Police Services and EMS and people from around the city. Wherever they call, we go, and we put people in a place where they're safe and we deliver them to a place they can sleep, get a warm meal, and a fresh start.

"Maybe in that 12 minutes of transport from the time we meet them to the time we get them to a safe house, the world changes. It's so amazing to be part of a hands-on function where you can actually save and change lives."

Alpha House provides safe and caring environments for individuals whose lives are affected by alcohol
and other drug dependencies. The nonprofit charitable agency is committed to helping heal the systemic,
inter-generational, and historical trauma among Indigenous people that have occurred as a result of
residential schools.

More than ever, the honoring of cultural traditions and the provision of cultural connection – like Alpha House’s Ceremonial Sweat Lodges and Indigenous Outreach – is crucial to the health and well-being of its Indigenous clients.

Filling the tournament will go a long way in helping those in need, says Jackson.

"It's really important to understand that this is your community. These are people who live next door to you, and you're going to sleep well knowing that the people who are indeed in critical situations, people who have stress issues, people who have alcohol issues, people who drug dependencies, those people need your help now, and it's only a few days away. Here's your opportunity to get into the world we're in, which is to save lives." 

It was just a few weeks ago that Jackson participated in the Mayor's Invitational here in Cochrane in support of the future multi-purpose community centre on 5th Ave.

The Calgary Alpha House Society was established in 1981 as a committed response to a marginalized population of men and women who are addicted to alcohol or other drugs and living vulnerable on the streets of Calgary. 

To register and learn more about the work of Alpha House, click here.

LISTEN: The full interview is attached to this article.

Tom Jackson and JoAnne Howard.Tom Jackson and Howard's Cove Photographer JoAnne Howard at the Mayor's Invitational here in Cochrane on July 26.