Second annual John Walson, Jr. Memorial Open raises big funds for agency’s mentoring programs and pays tribute to Walson, Service Electric’s late President and CEO
Allentown, PA — October 2, 2014 — On September 22, 100 golfers hit the fairways to raiseover $98,000 in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley’s mentoring programs at the John Walson, Jr. Memorial Open 2014. For the first year, the tournament was held at Lehigh Country Club. Service Electric Cable TV & Communications served as the event’s Presenting Sponsor, and B. Braun Medical, Diefenderfer Electrical Contractors and Technology Solutions, PPL EnergyPlus and Viamedia joined as the event’s other top sponsors.
The day’s events included a scramble-style golf tournament, specially catered meals, a cocktail reception, awards for top participants, and silent and live auctions. In addition, one participant, Doug Marcinin of Valley National Financial Advisors, won a golden ticket to the Landis Cup and will compete for $1 million on Veteran’s Day.
Service Electric TV2 Sports also covered the event, featuring tournament play and interviews with major corporate sponsors.
After the passing of Service Electric Cable TV President and CEO John Walson, Jr. in August 2012, Big Brothers Big Sisters renamed its annual golf event to the John Walson, Jr. Memorial Open to honor his legacy. He was among the organization’s largest benefactors for over 35 years and frequently played in its charity golf tournaments.
“We’re excited that the John Walson, Jr. Memorial Open was a resounding success again this year,” said CEO Susan Bartels. “For our first year holding the tournament at a new venue [Lehigh Country Club], everything ran very smoothly. Many sponsors, participants and volunteers joined us to not only pay tribute to Mr. Walson’s legacy, but also to spread awareness for and raise needed funding to expand our mentoring programs in Lehigh and Northampton Counties.”
In addition, over ten volunteers from B. Braun Medical were on hand through the United Way’s Day of Caring to officiate the tournament’s many contests, including hole-in-one, longest drive, longest putt, and closest-to-the-pin competitions.
All proceeds from the tournament will directly support Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley’s goal of serving 380 children in one-to-one mentoring relationships in its current fiscal year.
Middle Photo: Rob Gabbard, Terry Crupi, Don Loughney, Jeffrey Bell, all of PPL EnergyPlus
Right Photo: Mike Connelly, Brenton Earle, Andres Tavares, Bryan Trible, all of B. Braun Medical, Inc.
Click on the photo to enlarge.
Contact:
Alex Dapkewicz, Marketing & Development Manager
About Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley
Since 1970, Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. Big Brothers Big Sisters, the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, holds itself accountable for children in its program to achieve measurable outcomes, such as educational success; avoidance of risky behaviors; and higher aspirations, greater confidence and better relationships. Partnering with parents/guardians, schools, corporations and others in the community, Big Brothers Big Sisters carefully pairs children (“Littles”) with qualified, trained, and screened volunteers (“Bigs”) and monitors and supports these one-to-one mentoring matches throughout their course.
In the 2013-2014 fiscal year, Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley, a United Way Partner Agency, served 327 Lehigh and Northampton County children in one-to-one mentoring relationships.
Big Brothers Big Sisters provides children facing adversity, often those of single or low-income households or families where a parent is incarcerated or serving in the military, with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. This mission has been the cornerstone of the organization’s 100-year history. The organization is engaged in a nationwide search to reunite with alumni mentors, mentees, donors, and family, staff and board members. Learn how you can volunteer or donate—visit www.bbbslv.org.
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Alex Dapkewicz
Marketing & Development Manager
Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley
878 Minesite Road
Allentown, PA 18103
Tel: 610-391-1827 x102 Fax: 610-391-9192
