September fundraiser will support rapidly growing needs of children and teens in foster care — and local sponsors are urgently needed
EMMAUS, Pa. — August 2026 — The Kindness Project: A Foster Care Resource (TKP) is calling on businesses, organizations and community members across the Lehigh Valley to help make its 9th Annual TKP Mini Golf Tournament a success as the nonprofit prepares for one of its busiest seasons of the year.
The tournament will take place Friday, September 25, 2026, at Putt U in Center Valley, with an 11 a.m. shotgun start. The popular annual fundraiser brings together businesses, community partners, foster families, volunteers and supporters for a day of mini golf, food, prizes and an opportunity to directly support children and teens experiencing foster care.
This year, however, TKP says the need behind the fun is especially significant.
The Emmaus-based nonprofit provides clothing, shoes, beds and bedding, hygiene products, school supplies, baby equipment, car seats, birthday gifts, enrichment opportunities and other essentials completely free of charge to children and teens in foster and kinship care. TKP currently serves more than 1,300 youth and their families across more than 35 Pennsylvania counties.
And the need continues to grow. In August alone, TKP registered more than 40 new children and teens entering foster care locally.
“When a child enters foster care, their needs don’t wait until funding becomes available,” said Jenae Holtzhafer, Founder and Executive Director of The Kindness Project. “Sometimes a family calls us with almost no notice because a child is arriving that night. They may need a bed, clothing, shoes, diapers, a car seat or simply something familiar and comforting. Our community makes it possible for us to say, ‘Yes, we can help.’”
Unlike many traditional service providers, TKP’s work is powered primarily by community donations and volunteers. Fundraising events such as the annual TKP Mini Golf Tournament provide critical unrestricted funding that allows the organization to respond quickly when foster families and agencies call for help.
Proceeds from this year’s tournament will also help TKP raise the remaining funds needed to purchase a much-needed van, expanding the organization’s ability to transport donated furniture and essential items, reach families throughout the region and carry out community services.
Sponsors Needed to Fill All 36 Holes
TKP is currently seeking additional sponsors and hopes to fill all 36 holes at Putt U with signs representing businesses, families, faith communities, schools, organizations and individuals standing behind children in foster care.
Sponsorship opportunities begin at $500 and include recognition at the tournament as well as opportunities for teams to participate in the event. Sponsors who are unable to send a team may choose to donate their playing spots so that a foster family or TKP volunteer team can participate.
The organization is also seeking raffle and silent auction donations, including gift cards, experiences, tickets, services, restaurant packages, getaways and other items.
“We have incredible longtime sponsors who return year after year, and their loyalty means so much to us,” Holtzhafer said. “But the number of children coming through our doors continues to grow. We need some new names on those holes this year — businesses, families and organizations who may not have known about TKP before but believe that children entering foster care deserve to have a community standing behind them.”
The tournament will also feature speakers who can help attendees better understand the realities of foster care and the impact community support can have on children and families.
Businesses and individuals interested in sponsoring, donating a raffle or silent auction item, or learning more about the tournament can visit mykindnessproject.org/minigolf.
About The Kindness Project
Founded in 2017, The Kindness Project: A Foster Care Resource is a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization based in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, dedicated to improving the lives of children and teens experiencing foster care. Through The Kindness Exchange resource boutique, mobile outreach and community programs, TKP provides free essential items, resources and enrichment opportunities to foster and kinship families throughout Pennsylvania. The organization serves children and young adults from newborn through age 21, as well as youth during the first year following adoption.
Event: 9th Annual TKP Mini Golf Tournament
Date: Friday, September 25, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. shotgun start
Location: Putt U, Center Valley, Pennsylvania
Sponsorship & Information: mykindnessproject.org/minigolf
Information provided to TVL by:
Hayden Rinde
