Wind, Wedges, and Worthy Causes: A Day on the Green with The Sanctuary Foster Care Services

Attending a golf tournament was something entirely new for me. I haven’t played since “that one time in high school,” and… well, let’s just say we won’t talk about how long ago that was.

But what a joy it was to support one of our incredible CROP members, The Sanctuary Foster Care Services, at their annual golf tournament. Alongside Rachel, our music director and host of the Rise and Shine morning show, we joined a community of supporters helping raise vital funds to provide permanent sanctuary and healing homes for foster kids and families across the Greater Houston area.

The Sanctuary Foster Care Services is a faith-based child placement agency dedicated to providing permanent sanctuary and healing homes for children and families from hard places. Established in 2018 in Houston, Texas, The Sanctuary addresses the challenges within the foster care system by offering comprehensive support to foster families and children.

Their approach is grounded in Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), an evidence-based model designed to support children who have experienced trauma. The Sanctuary provides wraparound services, including 24/7 crisis intervention, counseling for both children and families, and in-home therapeutic support. These services aim to stabilize placements and promote healing.

Their commitment extends beyond placement, offering post-adoption support such as therapy and parent support groups to ensure lasting stability for families.

The Sanctuary also engages the community through volunteer opportunities, encouraging individuals and groups to support foster families by providing meals, care baskets, and mentorship. They believe that while not everyone can be a foster parent, everyone can contribute to the well-being of children in care.

For more information about their mission and how to get involved, visit The Sanctuary Foster Care Services.

The event took place at the breathtaking Wildcat Golf Club—a hidden gem nestled just outside the hustle and bustle of the city. According to their website, it’s “the premier choice for golfers seeking excitement and enchantment in every swing.” I believe it! Even just driving to our assigned hole, I passed serene lakes, rolling hills, and peaceful pockets of greenery. Their description says it best: “Experience elevation changes of up to 100 feet, revealing breathtaking views of the Houston skyline and the iconic NRG Stadium complex.” It truly felt like we were in the Texas Hill Country with all those hills right there in Houston.

Now, let’s talk weather. It might’ve been the windiest day in Houston history (okay, maybe not officially, but it sure felt like it). When we arrived, we were welcomed with the friendly warning: “Put tents up at your own risk.” Determined to avoid sunburn, we took the risk—and with help from our incredible intern, Logan, and dedicated volunteer, Jonathan, we got it up and heavily secured.

Just as we finished securing our tent, we noticed another sponsor working solo to set his up in the wild wind. We quickly went over to help—and that’s when we met Darren Tidwell, a fellow supporter of The Sanctuary and a KJIC listener!

Darren shared with us that when he began his career in real estate, he committed to giving 5% of his commission to Christ-centered ministries that serve people in need. He and his wife have two adopted sons, and through their journey, God gave them a deep passion for foster care and adoption. When they learned about The Sanctuary’s mission, they were all in.

Darren told me, “Since I knew some of the leadership at The Sanctuary and heard their strategy to really care well for children and families in foster care, I made a commitment to begin supporting them.” That commitment grew into something even bigger—Darren now helps lead a real estate group called “Sell A Home, Give A Home.” Realtors in this group pledge a portion of their sales to support The Sanctuary’s work. Signs placed alongside their For Sale signs share the initiative with potential buyers and the wider community.

“We love The Sanctuary,” Darren wrote, “and we absolutely believe they are fulfilling the scriptural mandate ‘to care for orphans and widows in their distress.’ This is the true Church expressing itself as Christ would have it.”

His story was not only inspiring but also a perfect example of how people can live out their faith through their everyday work.

Our hearts were uplifted hearing KJIC playing throughout the clubhouse all day—truly music to our ears! Did you know that you can listen to KJIC right from your computer? Try it out! https://www.kjic.org/listen

We absolutely love connecting with listeners at events like these. We got to meet some wonderful people who shared stories, smiles, and their love for the station. It was a full day of laughter, learning, and meaningful conversation. We handed out refreshments, shared information about the station, and had a blast announcing that our hole featured the Longest Drive—always good for a surprised chuckle from the golfers!

The camaraderie among the players, both seasoned and first-timers, made the whole event even more special. It was clear that everyone was there for something bigger than the game: to support The Sanctuary and the vital work they do.

A special shoutout to Darren Tidwell, who kindly helped me load our ice chest into the golf cart after Rachel, Logan, and Jonathan had to leave early for Wednesday evening youth group. I was pretty proud of myself for packing everything onto that tiny golf cart! (Yes, I took a picture—accomplishment looks different for everyone!)

We are building a volunteer team to serve our CROP members and community with KJIC!!!

If you'd like to serve, fill out our Volunteer Application here:https://www.kjic.org/connect/volunteer