This year the Rotary Loves Kids Golf Tournament celebrated a decade of making the lives of children and youth in the Quinte area brighter. Thanks to the generosity of the many participating golfers and sponsors this year’s event raised $90,000.
For many years, youth in the care of the Children’s Aid Society who wish to pursue post-secondary education have benefitted from a portion of the proceeds from this very special event. This year was no exception as a cheque for $9,000 was presented to the Quinte Children’s Foundation, the fundraising arm of Highland Shores Children’s Aid, at the Society’s Board meeting held on November 28th.
Paul Vandegraaf, Belleville Rotary Club President Elect, was on hand at the meeting to present Bruce Knutson, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Quinte Children’s Foundation, Connie Reid, Quinte Children’s Foundation Executive Director, Highland Shores Children’s Aid Board Chair, Darcey French and HSCA Executive Director, Mark Kartusch, with the gift.
This past May, thanks to funds provided by past Rotary Loves Kids Golf Tournaments and donations from the community, thirty young people who planned to attend College or University were awarded over $50,000 in Reach for Success bursaries. "Seeing the excitement and pride on the faces of the youth who received these awards was wonderful. Our partnership with Rotary is a very important one. We thank them and their many supporters for the contribution they have made over the past ten years to furthering the educational opportunities available to the youth in our care", said Mark Kartusch, Executive Director of Highland Shores Children’s Aid.
The main Rotary Loves Kids Golf Tournament took place on Friday, July 20th at two of Quinte’s premiere golf courses – Black Bear Ridge and Trillium Wood, however once again this year, 30 kids in the care of Highland Shores Children’s Aid had a chance to test their golfing skills in a nine hole tournament of their own thanks to the support of the Bayview Golfing Centre and several generous sponsors. At the end of the golf day, the kids also enjoyed a wrap up dinner and entertainment at Rotary’s Party in the Square that took place in downtown Belleville.
Rotary Loves Kids Golf Tournament Chair, local businessman and Rotarian, John Smale, indicated that, with this year’s donation, the Belleville Rotary Club has contributed more than $85,000 over the past ten years to the Foundation’s Reach for Success Bursary Program. "Rotary members know the very important role that post-secondary education can play in the lives of young people. Thanks to the generosity and support of the members of our community who have participated in this event for the past decade, we have all been able to make a difference in the lives of children in need", he said.
Expressing thanks on behalf of the Quinte Children’s Foundation, Connie Reid, the Foundation’s Executive Director, commented, "Each year, we look forward to the opportunity to help our young people attain their goals for post-secondary education. We offer our sincere thanks to everyone who planned and participated in this year’s golf tournament for the generosity you have once again shown to the youth of our community."