Mary Lee’s House celebrated its 6th annual Celebrity Golf Classic on Monday, February 27th at Avila Golf & Country Club. Gorgeous weather, a beautiful course, generous supporters, celebrities and volunteers made for an outstanding event! Over $350,000 was raised to support Hillsborough County’s Child Advocacy and Protection center. The funds collected at this annual event enable Mary Lee’s House to continue to provide a warm, child-friendly environment for victims of abuse and neglect and their families, as well as ensure the co-location of the five partner agencies focusing on child abuse prevention and treatment.
The day began with a welcome reception complete with a bloody mary bar, hot buffet lunch and cigar rollers. Golfers spent time on the practice green before a prayer led by Kathy Connor, Mary Lee’s House Board member and Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Tampa. Mary Lee’s House Board Chairman, Rex Farrior spoke on the generosity of the local community and supporters such as those attending the tournament, who are the reason Mary Lee’s House was able to open in 2008 and who are vital to our continuance in Hillsborough County. Executive Director Kim Miller shared that it is because of our community’s support that Mary Lee’s House can provide a loving place for abused and neglected children to begin their healing.
The theme of this year’s tournament was Brews, Blues and Brats, featuring craft beers and snacks at tents stationed around the course. Games included a $10,000 putting contest, hole in one and closest to the pin. The event concluded with a BBQ style hot buffet, live music and tournament prizes ranging from craft beer sets to Yeti coolers. A few lucky raffle winners also walked away with a Tiffany bracelet, Yankee Spring Season box seats, a signed Tampa Bay Lightning Hockey stick, Tampa Bay Lightning Club seats and a range finder.
