Annual Pars and a Purpose Golf Tournament raises $105,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

The Pars and a Purpose for Children's Cure Fundraiser Golf Tournaments and Luncheon benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital were held on Saturday, October 22, and Sunday, October 23, at Crane Lakes Golf and Country Club in Port Orange and raised a whopping $105,000. The events were a true success for the second year in a row, according to Event Coordinator David Vanvalkenburgh.

The event could not have been possible without the many different sponsors led by title sponsors, Rosevilla Southern Table & Bar and Belden Communications LLC, and also includes The Roost at Crane Lakes, Panera Bread, Jeep Beach, Country Inn & Suites, Mr. Rooter, Sonny’s BBQ of Port Orange, Tijuana Flats of Port Orange, Watson Realty, Ritters Frozen Custard, Home Depot, Lowes, Wawa, Daytona Beverage, Dunkin Donuts, Hooters Daytona Beach, UPS Store New Smyrna Beach, 95 & Vine, Spruce Creek Airport Club, Spruce Creek High School Media Department, Dicks Sporting Goods in Daytona Beach, and many more.

The benefit for St. Jude’s featured a four-person scramble golf tournament on Saturday, October 22, followed by a luncheon/dance with the Stir it Up Band, and Sunday, October 23, with a BBQ lunch immediately after. 

Leading up to the weekend-long event was a silent auction featuring twenty-nine auction items provided by the sponsors and other businesses in the area. Some of the auction items ranged from a 2-night/3-day stay at the Hard Rock Hotel in Daytona Beach, with a dinner for two at Doc Bale’s Grill with two tickets to the Daytona Playhouse, two 2-night/3-day stays at the Country Inn and Suites in Port Canaveral with four tickets to Kennedy Space Center, Dinner for four with drinks and dessert at the Halifax Yacht Club with four tickets to the Daytona Symphony to a professional Char-griller smoker from Home Depot, a Charbroil grill from Lowes, and more.

The highlight of Mr. Vanvalkenburgh's weekend came when two different families approached him on the golf course during the benefit event telling him stories of their personal past family experiences with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Their family members, children who utilized services at St. Jude Children’s Hospital and who are now health adults, hugged Dave Vanvalkenburgh – thanking him for saving children’s lives.

“This has always been on my bucket list to do. It was the most inspirational and emotional moment of my life,” Mr. Vanvalkenburgh said.

Mr. Vanvalkenburgh already has a few plans for next year, with a few verbal commitments from most of his sponsors and Crane Lakes Golf and Country Club is already booked for a Dinner/Dance on Friday, October 20, 2023, followed by two separate golf tournament Saturday and Sunday.

“We have planned events in 2023 that include a Men and Women Rider Cup match against players from other golf courses at Crane Lakes Golf and Country in March, while the Eagles Club has committed to a dinner event in August,” said Mr. Vanvalkenburgh. “As for our October event, we are already committed to a Friday Night Dinner Dance with the ‘Stir it Up Band’ who has committed to our cause for three years in a row now, with two golf tournaments over the weekend. One on Saturday, the other on Sunday.”

Funds raised from October 2021 through October 2022 totaled over $105,000!

“I want to thank the Crane Lakes Golf and Country Club, their staff, volunteers, and residents for your continued support. I would also like to thank our title sponsors, Rosevilla Restaurant and Belden Communications, LLC, who continually help us raise funds for St. Jude’s and help save kids’ lives,” said Mr. Vanvalkenburgh.

Belden Communications, LLC, is a local 20-year-old Marketing Agency and is proud to continuously be involved with Pars and a Purpose for Children's Cure Fundraiser Golf Tournament and Luncheon benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Thanks to all of the sponsors, 100% of the proceeds from the benefit event will go directly to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital to help save kids’ lives.

If you would like to contribute as a volunteer or sponsor for next year’s events, contact David Vanvalkenburgh at David Van davevan5674@gmail.com.