Golf tournament benefits Marjaree Mason Center, Fresno County Sheriff's Office

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Hundreds of people headed out under the Valley's sunny skies on Monday to play golf and raise money for women escaping abusive relationships.

A helicopter flew in over the Fort Washington Golf Course, dropping off dozens of golf balls for players in this year's benefit golf tournament. The event is put on by the Mid-Cal Alarm Association.

This year, money raised will go toward the Marjaree Mason Center and Fresno County Sheriff's Office. Both are looking to improve their security systems, and say the fundraiser is crucial to getting the updates they need.

"Increased camera systems so that we can monitor what's going on around and inside our building. Also, we've got a large alley behind our administration office; it leaves us very vulnerable so we want to make sure that's closed off, which is really expensive," said Genelle Taylor Kumpe with the Marjaree Mason Center.

"We're going to raise a lot of money for them, and we're going to help them out. And we're going to give money to the sheriff's department to help them with any kind of security needs," said Mike Matson with Matson Alarm.

Last year, the Mid-Cal Alarm Association raised money for the Reedley Police Department to get a new K9. On Monday, officers brought out the new police dog and did a demonstration for the golfers.