ROTARY RAISES $8,500 ‘FORE’ YOUTH IN CARE…

November 24, 2009

 The 7th Annual Rotary Loves Kids Golf Tournament raised $8,500 in support of post-secondary education for youth in care of Hastings County Children’s Aid Society.

Rotary Club of Belleville President, John Cairns, presented Peter Smith, Chair of the Quinte Children’s Foundation, and Jan Richardson, Hastings CAS Past Chair, a cheque representing 10 percent of the proceeds of this year’s tournament ($8,500) at the HCAS Board of Directors meeting, November 18.

John Cairns thanked all the tournament’s sponsors, golfers and volunteers for making the event another great success and said how pleased Rotary was to be able to once again help kids further their education by supporting the Quinte Children’s Foundation’s Reach for Success Scholarship Program for youth in CAS care. “The tournament represents a huge effort on behalf of the Rotary Club of Belleville, the community as a whole, and it’s great to see this money go towards such a worthwhile program,” said Cairns.  

HCAS Executive Director and Rotarian, Len Kennedy, agreed that the event’s success was due to a solid community effort. “Rotarians, businesses and individuals all came together to make the day a huge success and in the end it’s all worthwhile because it’s the kids of our community who come out the big winners,” said Kennedy.

Peter Smith accepted the donation and thanked Rotary for their continued support on behalf of the Foundation and the children, youth and families it serves. “The kids we help benefit substantially from the Rotary Loves Kids Golf Tournament,” he said.  “The money that Rotary turns over to our scholarship program makes a real difference in the lives of motivated young people moving on to post-secondary education or already in post-secondary programs and we want to say a sincere thank you to everyone involved in this year’s tournament.”

Jan Richardson added her thanks to the Rotary Club of Belleville on behalf of the Hastings Children’s Aid Society.  “Rotary’s ongoing financial support to the Foundation’s Reach for Success Bursary program has made, and will continue to make, a significant difference in the lives of many deserving individuals in the future,” she said.

l to r:  Len Kennedy, Executive Director, HCAS, Peter Smith, Chair, Quinte Children’s Foundation, John Cairns, President, Rotary Club of Belleville, Jan Richardson, Past-Chair, HCAS