Allentown, PA — September 20, 2016 — Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley will host the Fourth Annual John Walson, Jr. Memorial Open on Monday, September 26, 2016, at Lehigh Country Club. With over 110 golfers registered and over 70 corporate sponsors, the event is well on its way to achieve its net, cash goal of $43,000. “I am very excited for this year’s tournament as we welcome several new participants and many loyal golfers who have attended for numerous years,” added Susan Bartels, CEO.
James “Jim” Martin, Lehigh County District Attorney and honorary chair, will kick off the event with a shotgun start, scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Golfers can expect to find several skill contests on the course, awards for the lowest gross and lowest net teams, giveaways, catered meals, a cocktail reception, and a silent auction. In addition, one lucky golfer in the tournament will receive a golden ticket for the chance to compete for $1 million dollars at the 2016 Landis Cup Million Dollar Charity Shootout on Veteran’s Day.
Service Electric Cable TV & Communications, presenting sponsor, will broadcast live from the event and will include interviews from top sponsors and supporters. The tournament was renamed in 2012 after the passing of John Walson, Jr., former Service Electric Cable TV President and CEO, who was an avid supporter of Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley. “We are forever grateful for his generosity and for the support Service Electric Cable TV & Communications continues to provide”, said Bartels.
All proceeds from the annual tournament directly support Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley’s goal of serving 415 children in one-to-one mentoring relationships this fiscal year. For more information, please call 610-432-8000 or visit www.biggolf.org.
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 2015-2016 fiscal year, Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley, a United Way Partner Agency, served 394 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 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.
Information provided by:
Susan Bartels
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lehigh Valley
