- October 7, 2024
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On a beautiful Saturday morning at the Tara Golf and Country Club in East County, Selah Freedom Executive Director Stacey Efau was talking about efforts to stop sex trafficking.
For Tara Golf and Country Club's Drew and Pamela Lalor, that was perfect.
While the 88 golfers who signed up for the first Fairway to Freedom tournament were headed to their opening holes Oct. 5 to raise money to support the nonprofit, Efau was raising awareness.
That was the Lalors' goal when they decided to organize the tournament. It wasn't easy, though.
As they went to local residents and businesses to build support through sponsorships and golf signups, they found that many of the people either didn't know about the organization at all, or didn't know what it does.
Pamela Lalor admitted that she and her husband weren't very aware of the organization either, until after they watched the movie "The Sound of Freedom," which is about child sex trafficking.
"It is like we live in a bubble," Pamela Lalor said.
Even on the golf course at Tara County Club, there was plenty of information about the cause and about Selah Freedom.
"The cause is a topic that people are uncomfortable talking about," said Brandy Zimarino, the sales manager for Mid-Coast Roofing, a tournament sponsor.
Mid-Coast Roofing's Zimarino, Chris Barnes and Bill Hawkins manned a booth on the first hole to provide drinks and information.
"It's a serious issue," Zimarino said.
After watching "The Sound of Freedom," the Lalors decided they would host a golf tournament to raise awareness and funds for Selah Freedom.
"It was scary slow," said Drew Lalor of trying to get signups and sponsors for the golf tournament.
But they kept at it, explaining to anyone who would listen about the cause and what is being done. On Saturday, the Lalors felt the tournament would raise more than $10,000 for the nonprofit.
"This was something that is very dear to our hearts, helping children" said Drew Lalor, a 12-year Navy veteran. "Years ago, we had a sick child (Drew Lalor Jr.) and children's hospitals saved his life. We have been blessed and we wanted to give back."
The Lalors, who have grandchildren from age 8 to 23, found Selah Freedom and were impressed by the nonprofit's "professionalism and organization."
They toured Selah Freedom's two safe houses for women in Manatee and Hillsborough counties. They met with those in the program and listened to their stories. They took a volunteer program run by Selah Freedom.
The Lalors then approached Selah Freedom with the idea for a golf tournament. The event at Tara Country Club was the nonprofit's first benefit golf tournament.
Efau said the tournament has been a blessing in terms of awareness.
"No one is talking about this," Efau said of sex trafficking. "The average age that these children are targeted is 12-14. And it's not what you think. They aren't out there snatching kids. They make a connection online and befriend them. They often get the kids on drugs, and then give them everything they need, until they say, 'You have to help bring in money."
Then the children might turn to a life of prostitution.
"A lot of people today (at the golf tournament) will learn about Selah Freedom," she said.
Pamela Lalor said it can take a lot of money to run the safe houses for recovering victims.
The tournament was scheduled for Sept. 28 but was moved to Oct. 5 due to the aftereffects of Hurricane Helene with downed branches and limbs.
"Tara Country Club's staff has been amazing," Drew Lalor said of supporting the move to a new date.
