Barbara Gervais and Carol Kanarek. PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS

VNA & Hospice staff, volunteers and more than a dozen skilled golf professionals from local clubs descended upon the Grand Harbor Golf Club at the crack of dawn to take part in the 34th annual Golf-A-Thon fundraiser. Proceeds benefit the VNA Charitable Care Program, which provides nursing care, rehabilitation therapy, end-of-life care, and other services to those in need.

Throughout the day, the golfers made multiple trips around the course, playing more than 100 holes before testing their meddle in a shootout, and accepting well-earned praise at the ensuing reception.

“I really want to thank you all so much for coming out. As you know, we are not a fundraising machine,” said Carol Kanarek, VNA & Hospice Foundation board president.

“This is our one big event. And I will tell you, it is a glorious event. And we could not do it without each and every one of you. Our golf pros volunteer their time every year and the clubs support them 100 percent.”

After thanking all the volunteers and pros for their efforts and the sponsors and donors for their contributions, Kanarek announced that the tournament had raised $526,000.

“That’s an amazing, amazing accomplishment, and again, with gratitude, I thank all of you,” she added.

Looking forward, she said they expect next year to be even more momentous as the VNA will be celebrating its 50th anniversary, and the Hospice House will be celebrating its 25th anniversary.

“We so appreciate your efforts,” said Michelle Deschane, VNA director of development, to Grand Harbor staff, particularly Troy Pare, director of golf, and all the other pros, before handing out prizes.

“They have been here since 6 o’clock this morning, played an amazing day of golf, and promoted our event at their clubs.”

This year’s players were: Troy Pare, Grand Harbor Club; Matthew Challenor, Windsor Club; David Champagne, Orchid Island Club; Drew DiSesa, Riomar Country Club; Randy Hedgecock, Vero Beach Country Club, Steve Hudson; John’s Island Club; Ian Killen, Indian River Club; Don Meadows, Quail Valley Golf Club, Frank Mentzer, Oak Harbor Golf Club; Bela Nagy, Sandridge Golf Club; Thomas Brinson, Moorings Yacht & Country Club; Eddie Suchora & Jason Berchtold, Bent Pine Golf Club; and Anthony Ranier, Pointe West Country Club.

Deschane also expressed gratitude to the sponsors, committee members and volunteers, as well as Grand Harbor members Carol Ceplenski, Gail Parsons and Catherine Reichert, who organized the day’s volunteers.

“At the end of the day, this money is going to take care of people who really need health care.

And that’s what the VNA does. Because you’ll remember 50 years, 50 years next year, we’ve been out in this community serving the people who need us. They trust us, our mission is stellar,” said VNA CEO Lundy Fields.

“So thank you for giving us the funds so we can continue that mission to serve the people of this county. We appreciate you all.”

Photos by Joshua Kodis