For the second year, proceeds from a long-standing golf
tournament in the area will benefit a unique summer camp experience
to help grieving children learn to cope with the loss of their
loved ones.
On July 9, Pine Acres Country Club will host the 2007 Pine
Acres/Bradford Hospital Foundation Pro-Am For Kids.
Proceeds, according to Pine Acres’ Golf Professional and event
organizer Kirk Stauffer, will benefit the “Helping Hands Retreat”
Children’s Bereavement Camp in Eldred, hosted Aug. 24-26 by McKean
County VNA & Hospice.
This is the second year that proceeds from the 18-year golf
outing will benefit Helping Hands.
“Making the kids happy is what it’s all about,” Stauffer
explained. “We hadn’t had a pro tournament in this area since the
Zippo Open in the early 70s, and it’s always nice to get the pros
and the members together for some camaraderie, and best of all, to
do something for the kids.”
In previous years, the tournament’s proceeds were given to
families with infants diagnosed with spina bifida, a birth defect
affecting the spinal cord.
Organizers in recent years considered changes to the event’s
original purposes, and last year attracted the attention of
officials from Bradford Hospital Foundation.
The Foundation raises funds solely to benefit Bradford Regional
Medical Center and its programs, including its home health agency,
VNA. One of its memorial funds is specifically designated for the
Camp Fund, the Melissa A. Price McKean County VNA Children’s
Bereavement Camp Named Fund. Information about the Fund is
available at www.brmcgiving.com and www.brmc.com.
Last year, it was Nellie Wallace, the Foundation’s Director of
Annual Giving and an avid golfer, who was instrumental in seeing
how the Pine Acres event and Foundation Fund were a natural
pairing.
“We’re very appreciative that Kirk’s committee has chosen the
camp to be the beneficiary of the event,” Wallace said. “He’s so
accommodating and makes everything perfect for everyone
involved.”
Last year’s event raised about $3,500 for the Melissa Price Camp
Fund, with 29 foursomes enjoying the July golf outing.
Wallace said sponsorship letters have been sent to area
businesses and individuals to continue to build support for the
cause.
Those interested in sponsorship opportunities should contact
Wallace at the Foundation, 20 School St., Bradford, at 362-3200, or
email nwallace@brmc.com.
Since its inception in 1990, the Pro-Am has raised over $44,500
total, with a goal of $50,000 this year.
The tournament field is comprised of about 60 Pine Acres
members, 30 corporate sponsors and 30 Western New York Section PGA
club pros.
Some come from as far away as Rochester to play in the PGA
Section event on this challenging, 6,724-yard layout on Route 770
West.
Pine Acres opened in 1965 and has received 3.5 stars out of five
in national ratings compiled by Golf Digest, golf’s #1 publication.
Its 18-hole course is a championship traditional golf course and
considered by players to be average-difficult level.
Officials from the VNA sponsored the first annual three-day
Helping Hands camp retreat for children ages 8 to 12 in August
2005. Provided at no cost to children throughout the county and
surrounding areas, the experience offers an opportunity for
youngsters to develop friendships, get counseling and learn about
the normalcy of grief. Campers participate in fun and learning
activities that help them learn healthy ways to cope with strong
feelings that often emerge after a significant loss.
The Price Fund was named for a young Bradford woman who
succumbed to heart disease, but not before touching the lives of
many people. During her lifetime, Price was a BRMC volunteer as
well as a tutor for the elementary children. She enjoyed helping
people, especially children.
