Monday, September 26, 2011

Lucky Number 12!


York Street Project’s 12th Annual Golf Outing was held on Monday, September 12th at the Hackensack Golf Club, in Oradell, New Jersey. The winning combination of happy golfers, fine dining and warm sun shine, made for the most perfect day ever!


The golfers began arriving at the club at around 10:30 in the morning. They were greeted and serviced by the friendly and very competent staff of the Hackensack Golf Club. After a quick check-in, each golfer was given a limited edition of York Street Project’s golf umbrella, and the October issue of Golf Magazine.


Before starting the round, a few golfers drove balls at the Driving Range, while some opted to hang out at the Putting Green and participate in the Putting Green contest. But one thing was most certain, all feasted on the great smorgasbord lunch of barbeque chicken, baked beans, hamburgers, hotdogs, assorted salads and beverages.


At approximately 12:45pm, 125 eager golfers were seated in their golf carts along with their Forecaddies. Shortly thereafter, they started the challenging round that would last close to six hours. Once the round was over, the golfers and other friends of York Street gathered on the patio for the Cocktail Reception. It’s hard to say what was more captivating, the lavish food display or the arrangement of the Green and Silent Auction prizes. While the golfers and other guests indulged themselves at the seemingly endless buffet, an assortment of hand passed hors d’ oeuvres and cocktails were also being enjoyed. In the midst of the merriment, a team of persuasive volunteers diligently worked the patio to sell Green Auction and 50/50 raffle tickets.


At around 7:15pm Susanne Byrne, YSP’s Executive Director, gave a brief welcome and expressions of gratitude to the sponsors and guests. She then introduced Latania Cobb, a former resident of St. Joseph’s Home, and a graduate of Kenmare High School, whose children also attended The Nurturing Place (all programs of the York Street Project). Ms. Cobbs shared her heart-wrenching story about how the York Street Project changed her life. After she spoke, closing remarks were then given by Board Chair, Anne Denyeau.


As the evening was rapidly coming to a close, the remaining high-points were to announce the winners of the Green and Silent Auctions raffles and the 50/50 winner. With a new raffle prize announcement system in place, this segment of the evening enabled each lucky winner to quickly claim their prize. Then finally, the time came to pick the winning 50/50 ticket and wrap up the evening’s festivities. Although YSP’s 12th Annual Golf Outing was officially over, the guests were enjoying themselves so much that they continued to mill about, engaging themselves in light conversation.


A very special thanks goes out to The Haydon Family – Tournament Sponsor of the Event for the 9th consecutive year. An additional thank you goes out to our Lunch Sponsor, James Patterson, who actually was able to attend the Outing this year. Other major sponsors include The Uy Family & Headstrong Services LLC, The Denyeau Family and The Russo Group. The York Street Project family is grateful to these and the many other sponsors, supporters and special friends who helped to raise more than $96,000 to help our women and children break the chains of poverty.


Stay tuned for information about YSP’s 13th Annual Golf Outing!