Allentown, PA — October 14, 2015 — Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley held its Third Annual John Walson, Jr. Memorial Open on Monday, September 28, 2015, at Lehigh Country Club in Allentown. The tournament exceeded its goal and raised a gross total of $74,595. Additionally, it welcomed 109 golfers, 69 corporate sponsors, and 31 auction sponsors.
“We are thrilled with the success of this event and are so grateful to the many sponsors and golfers who made it all possible,” says Brandy Barbera, manager of special events and community relations at Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley.
Bryon Grigsby, President of Moravian College and honorary chair, kicked off the event with a shotgun start at 10am. Along with playing golf on a prestigious course, golfers had the opportunity to test their skills throughout the day with various contests including hole-in-one, longest drive, longest putt, and closest to the pin. In appreciation for the time and commitment he’s put into serving on the golf committee, Jeffrey Bell was awarded the agency’s Golden Ticket. As a result, Bell will compete for $1 million dollars in the 2015 Landis Cup Million Dollar Charity Shootout on Veteran’s Day.
The event concluded with a catered reception and dinner followed by an awards program and a live and silent auction. During the evening’s program, Big Brother Joe Dunphy and Little Brother Chris had the opportunity to share their story as the keynote address.
Service Electric Cable TV & Communications, presenting sponsor, broadcasted live from the event which featured 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.
Proceeds from the event will support Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley’s goal of serving 397 children in one-to-one mentoring relationships this fiscal year.
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 2014-2015 fiscal year, Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley, a United Way Partner Agency, served 347 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 http://www.bbbslv.org/.
Information & Photos Provided By:
Big Brothers Big Sister
of The Lehigh Valley
