Golfers in southern Manitoba took their game to social media this summer instead of an annual tournament and far exceeded their fundraising goal for local ministries in the process.

Organizers smashed their $60,000 fundraising goal with the Decor Cabinet's #ChipIn4Charity Challenge, raising more than $70,000.

"We've been able to hang in there, but to have a boost like this is pretty significant," Youth For Christ in Morden Executive Director John Rempel says, adding the funding couldn't come at a better time.

"It allows you to bring a little bigger when before you were pulling back... you look at this windfall and think, 'wow, we can move forward and get creative.'"

Decor CFO Dave Schellenberg says they organized the fun social media challenge in lieu of their annual golf tournament. Supporters were challenged to make a short video of themselves performing a golf trick and nominate friends to respond and donate within 24 hours.

"The community and our suppliers just stepped up, it's been fantastic," Schellenberg says.

All proceeds will flow through to three local charities: Youth for Christ, Pembina Counselling Centre, and the Pembina Valley Pregnancy Care Centre, with Decor matching 50 percent of the total.

"I think people like the organizations, they love the work they're doing and the value they bring to our community," Schellenberg says, adding they saw a number of new supporters from both the community and outside the area.

Pembina Valley Pregnancy Care Centre Executive Director Linda Marek says it's an honour to be a longtime recipient of Decor Cabinet's fundraising efforts. "To have the support of local business like this so faithfully year after year for 16 years, that to me demonstrates a faithful partnership and a true belief in our mission and working together in serving our community."

Chris Derksen, Executive Director of the Pembina Counselling Centre adds the success of the charity event is a testament to Decor's drive to support local initiatives.

"I'm just blown away by the overwhelming support from the community," he says. "There's a real sense of generosity."