Our recent 9th Annual Kids for Kids Golf Outing broke records – both in attendance and money raised – as 140 golfers turned out to help raise over $182,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
This year’s event was organized by one of our founding members, Joseph Capone. “It was a great turn out and I had a lot of great friends who I was able to lean on for support, especially our Presenting Sponsor A1 Roofing and John and Vincent Malizia.” Joseph and his network brought in a record number of sponsorships to this event, contributing to it’s great success.
A little morning drizzle didn’t stop the fun as there were plenty of activities to participate in as the golfers waited it out – massages and stretching by Golf & Fitness Academy while loosening up on the driving range, playing cornhole, and enjoying cigars from the Long Island Cuban Cigar and Bourbon Experience’s Airstream trailer.
And even though it was mostly overcast, the golfers had some assistance from PeakVision. “The sunglasses are great. They make this cloudy day look nice and bright and easy to track the ball,” said Kids for Kids Founder and Board Chair, Robert Catalano. “We really appreciate PeakVision being a sponsor and bringing out the glasses.”
Once everyone hit the links, there was more fun to be had in addition to golf, such as competing for the longest drive, closest to the pin, and hole-in-one for the chance to win a Mercedes Benz. Golfers also took their shot at CHIPPO, a combination of golf and cornhole, in which the high-score winner took home half the proceeds.
Following 18 holes on the beautiful course of Pine Hollow Country Club, guests enjoyed a Macallan tasting and cocktails while enjoying the refreshing jams of JJ Sansaverino.
But the VIP of the evening was Ian Hayward, father of Colin, a St. Jude patient who had attended past Kids for Kids events and was considered part of the family.
Colin lost his eight year battle to brain cancer in March of 2018. But it was eight more years than his family ever expected to have with him, as doctors in New York City informed them “there was no medical way we can help this child.” This response led Colin and his family to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“He was all about enjoying life and taking each moment and drawing from that as much as he could. And it taught me as a dad so much about life,” Ian told the group. “You see, at the hospital they gave him the opportunity to thrive. They didn’t give up on him.”
Ian asked the crowd to honor children like Colin by continuing to donate funds, time, love, and commitment to Kids for Kids and their support of St. Jude.
“The money you raised helped give me time with my son,” he expressed. “We got to go to birthday parties, take him swimming, go to camp – just days when we were holding hands, simply being a father and son – you can’t put a dollar value on that. Yet, these rooms are where these dreams and miracles happen.”
Thank you to this year’s Presenting Sponsor A1 Roofing and major sponsors East End Group and K&E Auto Collision, to all the golfers and dinner guests, and to the Kids for Kids Committee Members who assisted throughout the event – the 9th Annual Kids for Kids Golf Outing at Pine Hollow Country Club could not have been such a success without you all!
