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A Damp Start Ends with Rainbows and Sun For Golfers and Tennis Players Supporting Local Children & Youth. (*text from The Morning Call press release) Monday June 4, 2007
The Valley Youth House 22nd Annual Golf and Tennis Tournament may have gotten off to a wet start on Monday, June 4th , but the weather did little to dampen the enthusiasm of over 100 golfers and 30 tennis players who participated in the event at the Lehigh Country Club.
Meanwhile, over at the
first tee at Lehigh Country Club, Dr. David Gilgoff, was speaking to a group of
sponsors and supporters waiting for the rain to slow down. He explained the
importance of the event.
“The proceeds from this year’s event are going to benefit the Valley Youth House emergency runaway and homeless shelter for children and youth” explained Gilgoff, President and CEO of the 34 year old organization. “Despite the morning cloudiness, the entire Lehigh Valley rose to the occasion once again and our sponsors and partners came out despite the weather to support our mission.
This year’s major sponsors included Linny Fowler, Tiny Tots Sports, Air Products and Chemicals, Eastern Industries and Service Electric, who graciously donated television coverage of the event.
Jack Daddona Jr. has served as the event chairperson for the past three years and started as a therapist for Valley Youth House right out of college. During his interview with Mike Zambelli, Jack told the viewers that this experience touched him deeply. “I had the benefit of a loving family and a good home life. Most of the 8,000 plus children and youth that are served by Valley Youth House each year never had that luxury. Valley Youth House is a safety net that can turn young people’s life around even after they have been abused, abandoned and discarded.”
Daddona continued to praise the community for their involvement. “The outpouring of support from the community is amazing” he said “Everyone seemed to understand that the event was, at the end of the day, about helping homeless, abandoned and abused children and youth.”
“ Nikita is a shining example of the heart and perseverance of most of the kids we help.” Said Gilgoff “The realization that some of our local children and youth are forced to live in cars or on the streets astounds some of our guests but the increasing numbers of kids that we serve shows how true that has become. Valley Youth House is doing it’s best to eliminate that problem in the Lehigh Valley and beyond.”
Some of the big winners of the day were tennis players Eric Butz, Shari Butz McKeever, Ed Lenz and Laurie Fitzpatrick, Annie Episcopo, Serena Chung, Donna Marie Daday, Joanne Ochse, Robert Serretti and Debra Wagner.
Leading the way on the links were Paul Smith, Tamantha Yanders, Jan Thomas, Bill Brooks, John Walson, Mike Fisher, Jim O’Hara, Kostas Kaloeropoulas, John Hayes and Jim Deutsch. The shot of the day was made by Scott Muller who “lipped out” a potential hole in one and was literally 3 inches from a brand new car donated by Haldeman Lincoln Mercury.
“I was very proud to work with this dynamic committee” he said “Everyone wanted this to be a very successful event. Thanks to the efforts of the committee and a little help from above with the weather, it was a great day!”
The 2007 committee included : Bill Brooks of KNBT John Hayes of Dynamatrix Anne Episcopo of Alvin H. Butz Mike Jacobs from Remax Realty Mike Fisher from Print Concepts Helene Tyndall from Patt White GMAC June Webre of Team Capital Bank Linda Gardner Maggie Bonge and Valley Youth House staff members Roger Ochse, Mac McCausland and Sandy Miller.
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David
Gilgoff fully agreed and added: “Although all of our great sponsors and
participants enjoy the competition on the courts and on the golf course, you
could hear a pin drop when Nikita, a current member of the Valley Youth House
supportive housing program, told of how Valley Youth House helped her overcome
life’s obstacles to become happy and successful in her own right.”