Generosity was in full swing during the 35th annual VNA & Hospice Foundation Golf-A-Thon, held this year at the Vero Beach Country Club, where pros representing 13 local clubs spent a full day on the course playing more than 100 holes of golf.
Proceeds from the event benefit the VNA charitable care programs and services, which provide much-needed healthcare for county residents who lack the financial means to access home health and hospice services.
“It’s a beautiful day here at the Vero Beach Country Club, and I really want to thank everybody who participated today,” said Carol Kanarek, VNA & Hospice Foundation board chair, thanking the professional golfers, volunteers and staff of the VNA and the VBCC.
“This has been a year of events for the VNA,” said Kanarek, referencing the VNA’s 50th anniversary, the 35th anniversary of the Golf-A-Thon and the 25th anniversary of the Hospice House.
The money raised “is going to support people who really need home health and hospice care,” said Lundy Fields, VNA CEO, thanking the pros for their support on the golf course and for “stirring up the support in the clubs. It helps raise awareness of this event and money so that we can provide care to all these people in this community.”
Co-chairs Nancy Edmiston and Karen Formont scored a perfect game with the assistance of their team, raising more than $484,000 in critical funding for VNA & Hospice Foundation programs and services.
Cheered on by members of their clubs, this year’s players were: Chris Peel, Vero Beach Country Club; Thomas Brinson, the Moorings Yacht & Country Club; David Champagne, Orchid Island Golf Club; Andy Nelson and Jack Wagner, Riomar Country Club; James Hammer, Windsor Club; Steve Hudson, John’s Island Club; Ian Killen, Indian River Club; Don Meadows, Quail Valley Golf Club; Frank Mentzer and Jack McEnenry, Oak Harbor Golf Club; Bela Nagy, Sandridge Golf Club; Troy Pare and Ben Stewart, Grand Harbor; Anthony Ranieri, Pointe West Country Club; and Eddie Suchora, Bent Pine Golf Club.
Before calling it a day, the pros competed in a shootout with Anthony Ranieri of the Pointe West Country Club taking the win and host pro Chris Peel of Vero Beach Country Club coming in second.
VNA & Hospice Foundation director Michelle Deschane presented retired Vero Beach Country Club golf pro Randy Hedgecock with a plaque for his 33 years as a Golf-A-Thon participant.
For more information, visit vnatc.com.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
