September 20: Faith on the Fairway Funds Bright Futures with Free College Scholarships

And the grand prize is…a free college education! It sounds like a game show, but it has become a reality for graduating students at North Chicago Community High School, thanks to the Faith on the Fairway golf outing. The 5th Annual Faith on the Fairway event is still accepting golfers for the September 20, 2025, charity fundraiser at Foss Park Golf Course in North Chicago. An 8 a.m. shotgun start sends golfers to 18-holes, a featured hole-in-one contest with a chance to win $10,000, followed by a reception and lunch with an awards banquet. Golfers are encouraged to register in advance at faithonthefairway.org.

“It’s a fantastic day – and all the proceeds go toward building a better future for the students of North Chicago,” explained Rev. James Buckman of Faith Lutheran Church in Lake Forest. Buckman is the founder of the annual event that is eagerly anticipated by the students, educators, and city officials of North Chicago – as well as the members of Buckman’s congregation, whose dedicated volunteer efforts make the Faith on the Fairway golf outing possible.

The bright future that the young people of North Chicago are being handed comes from an innovative partnership between Faith Lutheran Church and the North Chicago Public Education Foundation. The Faith on the Fairway golf outing has raised $175,000 since its 2021 inception and seeks to add another $50,000 with the 2025 event. The North Chicago Public Education Foundation initiative has sent more than 100 students to the College of Lake County at no cost to the students or their families.

Buckman is an enthusiastic supporter of the unique education initiative. “We are thankful for the opportunity to work with others in this effort which will help young people and their families and this community of North Chicago for a long time to come,” he shared. “The members of Faith Lutheran started the Faith on the Fairway golf fundraising event to serve our neighbors in a way which the public school district desired, yet we continue to do this because our church members receive the blessing which comes from serving other people.”

Volunteers from the Lake Forest congregation administer, staff, promote, and participate in the annual Faith on the Fairway charity golf outing. The event incorporates current students from North Chicago Community High School, scholarship recipients from past events, and local notables, including respected educators, and the Mayor of North Chicago, Leon Rockingham, who applauds Buckman and his church for their efforts.

“Pastor Buckman has such a love of people, and that’s what I love being around,” Rockingham noted, calling Buckman “inspiring.” “He has stepped in to support these scholarships – the chance to go to college means a lot, especially when a child’s parents want them to continue their education but don’t have the means to make it happen.”

More than 20 percent of North Chicago’s residents live below the poverty line. But Faith on the Fairway is working to change that - one fully funded college scholarship at a time.

North Chicago Public Education Foundation Director of Student Success Mary Kenney is a fan of the Faith on the Fairway golf event. “Faith on the Fairway is really what drew me to the foundation,” said Kenney, explaining how the golf event fostered “the desire to work with this program – to benefit the students. The relationship with Pastor Jim [Buckman] and the members at Faith – it’s amazing how many of them really care about the students and their stories.”

“The Faith on the Fairway golf outing has become a well-recognized staple within the North Chicago Public Education Foundation and one of the most anticipated events of the year for our students,” observed Kenney. “They look forward to the opportunity to volunteer for the day, support future generations of scholarship recipients, and engage with members of the Faith Lutheran Church congregation who are working in the fields they are studying. These connections play a meaningful role in our students' personal and professional growth.”

Both the North Chicago Public Education Foundation and the Faith on the Fairway golf outing rely on sponsorships to maximize the proceeds going to fund the student scholarships. Those interested in participating in or sponsoring the 2025 Faith on the Fairway charity golf outing are encouraged to visit faithonthefairway.org.

About Faith on the Fairway

A charity golf outing created to support college scholarships for the students of North Chicago, Faith on the Fairway is operated by Faith Lutheran Church of Lake Forest, Illinois as a ministry to the community. For more information about Faith on the Fairway, or to register, sponsor, or donate, please visit faithonthefairway.org.

The 5th Annual Faith on the Fairway Golf Outing 2025 is on Saturday, September 20, 2025 – 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Foss Park Golf Course, North Chicago, Illinois.