The second annual Partners for Youth with Disabilities Golf Classic raised over $105,000 at the Tedesco Country Club in Marblehead on November 8, 2021 to support PYD’s mission of empowering youth with disabilities to lead self-determined lives full of dignity, purpose, and pride.
PYD launched our Inaugural Golf Classic in 2019 under the steward of treasured supporters and Marblehead residents, Andy and Rose Bentley. Andy is a PYD Board member, and Rose’s sister, Drew Anne, was born with a chromosomal abnormality and disability. They know firsthand how challenging navigating ableist barriers and feeling excluded can be for disabled individuals and families, and they wanted to create a more equitable world by fundraising for PYD.
The abiding commitment of our event co-chairs Andy and Rose ensured a highly successful event with over 100 golfers and guests in attendance despite a postponed from the event’s original October date due to inclement weather. The rain delay did not dampen the spirit, enthusiasm, and dedication of our co-chairs, guests, golfers, and generous sponsors and donors who together secured a gross revenue increase of 91% over the 2019 event.
In fact, the delay from the original October date resulted in a perfect fall day. Career Readiness Outreach Coordinator Medhi Raoufi, one of several PYD staff members in attendance, affirmed that despite the delay, “the weather was unseasonably beautiful and warm, which allowed for more comfortable connections, after lacking the ability to physically be together for almost two years.”
These connections, along with Andy and Rose’s stewardship of the day’s events, ushered in a total of $105,317:
$40,700 from 4 major sponsors
$7,414 from 27 hole and contest sponsors
$25,183 from 77 golfer registrations
$21,451 from 155 individual donations
$8,438 total from 34 auction items
$2,132 from 17 dinner guests
Revenue will be used for impactful programing such as Access to Theater, Career Readiness, and Mentor Match so that we may provide and expand programming for youth with disabilities in the year ahead.
In addition to funds raised, meaningful and valuable connections were made with attendees dedicated to inclusion for youth with disabilities. Medhi stated, “many attendees have followed up and donated their time and expertise to PYD programming, scheduling and providing workshops for our career readiness youth and other programs. Ultimately, the PYD Golf Classic was a rewarding reentry into in-person connecting and networking.”
Next year’s PYD Golf Classic is October 3, 2022, weather permitting.
Save the date for our next event at PYD, the 20th Annual Mentor Appreciation Night, taking place virtually on January 20, 2022. Contact azeiter@pyd.org to be placed on our mailing list for updates as we get closer to the event.
This blog post was written by Americorps Ambassador of Mentoring Athena Zeiter.