VERO BEACH — Country music superstar Jake Owen returned to his hometown of Vero Beach on Dec. 9, 2017, for the Annual Jake Owen Foundation benefit at the Vero Beach Country Club. The special evening featured dinner, drinks, silent & live auction and the chance to mingle with Jake, in support of Jake’s mission to help youth organizations in Indian River County.
Riverside Café, a Vero favorite of Jake’s, in collaboration with Vero Beach Country Club lent its support to cater this year’s benefit, An Evening with Jake, VIP Reception sponsored by Dale Sorensen Real Estate.
“What a great night we had this year raising funds for the Jake Owen Foundation. I’d like to thank all those who came out, the sponsors, and the venue, for helping me champion a cause that I’m truly passionate about – helping children” Owen said.
Live auction items included priceless experiences such as an acoustic performance in the winner’s home with Jake Owen, a private round trip flight to Golf Club of Tennessee for a round with Jake and PGA Tour Pro Brandt Snedeker, and a private golf lesson with John Daly.
Guests were also treated to a live performance by Jake, with cameos from Scotty Emerick and John Daly.
The Jake Owen Foundation was once again the beneficiary of the annual Vero Beach Country Club golf pro-am tournament, Hale Groves Indian River Grapefruit Pro-Am Invitational. Jake, an avid golfer with a 2 handicap, participated in the tournament once again this year and was joined by PGA Tour Golfer John Daly.
“This event is one of the highlights of our year,” says Jake. “It’s really important to me to always give back to my hometown and show my gratitude. Combining music and golf is always a lot of fun for me, but raising money for the community and knowing we are making a difference in people’s lives brings me the most joy.”
The Jake Owen Foundation was created to offer its support on a national level to children battling cancer and other childhood diseases through St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital while also lending its support to youth organizations and various charities in Owen’s hometown area of Indian River County, Fla. The local organizations benefiting from the foundation’s annual event assist youth with illnesses, shelter, food, education, health and fitness, the arts and the opportunity to better themselves through various programs and organizations.
The 2017 Jake Owen Foundation Benefit continued the event’s successful history of increasing awareness and raising revenues for the Foundations’ mission. Organizations benefiting in Indian River County this year are: Boys & Girls Club of Indian River County, Education Foundation of IRC, Hibiscus Children Center, Indian River Golf Foundation, The Learning Alliance of IRC, Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation, Scholarship Foundation of IRC and Youth Guidance of Indian River County and nationwide St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
To date, the Jake Owen Foundation has raised more than $1.4 million through the Jake Owen Foundation Benefit Concert (2012, 2014-2017) and Mardy’s Tennis & Jake’s Music Fest (2006-2011) with his good friend and fellow Vero Beach native Mardy Fish. More than 80% of the funds raised have remained in Indian River County.
The Jake Owen Foundation continues to gain the support of many companies and individuals, including VIP Reception Sponsor Dale Sorensen Real Estate, Official Sponsors Hale Groves, Riverside Café and WAVE 92.7, Silver Sponsors CB Capital Investments, Franklin American Mortgage Company and George E. Warren Corporation and numerous patrons in the community.
