Pars and a Purpose for Children's Cure Fundraiser Golf Tournament and Luncheon benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

Have you heard about the Pars and a Purpose for Children's Cure Fundraiser Golf Tournament and Luncheon benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital?

David Vanvalkenburgh, a resident from Ponce Inlet, FL, is hosting the event that is currently in need of Platinum Golf sponsorships, Platinum Food Award Luncheon sponsorships, and Platinum Beverage Award Luncheon sponsorships for $2500. Hole sponsorships are also available starting from $100. Many local businesses from the area have signed up for various sponsorships levels, and there is still time and space to become a sponsor or donate to the cause.

“I have been very fortunate in life, and I want to give back,” said Mr. Vanvalkenburgh in an interview.

The benefit event planned for Saturday, October 23, at Cranes Lake Golf and Country Club in Port Orange, FL, features a four-person scramble golf tournament starting at 8:30 a.m. with various activities planned, including flyovers from the Spruce Creek Fly-in, a Bloody-Mary bar, and chipping tournaments at select holes. 

Belden Communications, LLC, the Title Sponsor for the event, is a local 20-year-old local Marketing Agency that is proud to be involved with the fundraiser which supports St Jude. 

“I have been a supporter every month to St Jude mainly it’s because it involves children. I think, what Danny Thomas started and built and the job they do for these kids is fantastic. I look at those little faces and I wish I could do more. They came into this world and did nothing to deserve this dreaded disease. The look on their faces says “Mommy, Daddy, please make it go away," and what their parents did by bringing them to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital is the best thing they could have done for their child. They say that one child in five will not survive this disease, and I figure if there is anything I can do to eliminate that twenty percent, then I am going to do it. So, that is why it is so important to support this effort. I cannot imagine being in the shoes of those parents having to deal with this. I know that if any of my kids were afflicted with cancer, I would appreciate everyone’s support to give my child a chance to beat cancer. So, that is why it is so important to me,” said Wayne Belden, President of Belden Communications, LLC. 

The First-Place prize winner for the golf tournament will receive four two-night stays at the Georgian Inn Beach Club and Oceanfront Resort. The Second-Place prize winner will receive four two-night stays at the Hawaiian Inn Beach Resort.

The golf tournament ends with a donation of wings and beer from Hooters for golfers and an Awards Luncheon from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and is open to non-golfers. During the Award Luncheon, there will be a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction – which is open to the public, and one hundred percent of all proceeds from the event will go directly to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Mr. Vanvalkenburgh is no stranger to volunteer work, as he spends all his time volunteering between different organizations, like Food Brings Hope and Homes Bring Hope. He has dedicated twenty years of his life to volunteering for St. Jude’s alone. 

“St. Jude is dear to my heart. Any time there is a St. Jude event, we are on a plane and playing golf,” said Mr. Vanvalkenburgh. “This time, instead of going to an event, my wife and I wanted to host one.”

The upcoming golf tournament and luncheon is the second hosted event benefiting St. Jude by Mr. Vanvalkenburgh. His first hosted benefit for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital was held in Georgia and raised $15,000.00. 

The goal for the Pars and a Purpose for Children's Cure Fundraiser Golf Tournament and Luncheon benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is $25,000.00, and to date has raised over $13,000.00. 

For anyone interested in learning more about ways to donate, attend, or become a sponsor contact, David Vanvalkenburgh at davevan5674@gmail.com or call 386-383-3120.