Look outside, snow, ice, slush, wind. Sure doesn't look much like golf said Eric Thompson, Co-Chair of the 2018 Rotary Loves Kids Golf Tournament, to be held on July 20th, the 16th RLK event that has raised over $1.3 million dollars. We are a fortunate Rotary Club with a dynamic and dedicated RLK Committee -- Steve McCurdy, Kelly McKinney, Mike Henry, Pat Feasey, Dan Dickinson, Connie Reid, John Smale, Chris Finkle, Mark Bishop, Collin Myers, Darrell Smith, Cassandra Bonn, Dave Allen, Carol Feeney, Leigh-Ann Genereaux, Sam Brady, Randy Coker and Eric Thompson. This annual event is critical for all the worthy causes that Rotary supports. The first year, $45,000 was raised. In 2014 $115,000 was raised, the highest fundraising amount in one year. RLK is a milestone event in the community with accolades to past RLK Chairs and strong committee members. With the construction downtown this year, the committee had to discuss and decide on a new location for the after-golf gathering and Eric was pleased to announce that it will be hosted at Signal Brewery in Corbyville. An ideal location in close proximity to golf courses, lots of parking, a beautiful setting along the river with numerous amenities that we would normally have to rent which allows the committee to focus more on registration and sponsorship. The after-golf has been re-branded to Party On The River. Signal Brewery will be catering the event, serving BBQ pork, beef brisket, spicy chicken drumsticks, salads, garnishes, corn and biscuits. Entertainment will be provided by the Impish Grins Band led by none other than Sam Brady. Eric publicly acknowledged Sam's personal contributions in reaching out to his business connections to raise $20,000 - $40,000. Over the history of the event, Sam has raised $300,000 through his contacts.
Sam Brady came to the podium next to talk about the alignment of RLK with the mission of Rotary, to assist children in need, making their lives better in the area of academics, athletics, music, special needs. The dollars raised are nothing short of amazing. Ten (10%) percent of all proceeds go to bursaries through the Children's Foundation for kids in care pursuing secondary education. Rotary helps those children break the cycle. This partnership of support was the brain child of Wolf Tausenfreund and Bob Clute. We also acknowledge and remember Anne Leverton's contribution of heart and soul to this event along with others, now being recognized through the annual Anne Leverton RLK Award.
Randy Coker summarized the sponsorships, an impressive list that includes the Parrot foundation, LePalm Moving, O'Flynn Weese, McDougall Insurance, Dewe's Independent Grocer, TAS, Hanley Corporation, Quinte Broadcasting, Peter Smith Chevrolet, Scotiabank, Investors Group, Starboard Communications, Sears Canada, Culligan, the Williams Hotels, S & A Investments, Veridian, Impacto, TD Wealth Management, Maxwell Paper, Knudsen Brady Group, West City Honda, Gore Mutual Insurance. An incredible amount of money every year! These sponsors believe in what we are doing and it has become a summer tradition to support the Rotary Club of Belleville. Connie Reid hosts a day of golf for all kids in care. Twenty-five to thirty kids gather at Bayview Golf Centre and enjoy a great day on the links. The actual RLK tournament will take place at Trillium Wood or Black Bear and there is sponsorship opportunities available. Every year the Parrot Foundation contributes $15,000 as the platinum sponsor. Quinte Broadcasting is a gold level sponsor at $5,000. Silver sponsorship of $2,000 includes a round of golf. A bronze sponsorship costs $1,000. All contributions are welcome. Sign sponsors are also available -- $300 for a sign at both courses, $200 for one course. Party on the River -- dinner tickets are $35. After dinner entertainment tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Golf registration is now on-line, a streamlined process.
The RLK Chairs thanked all the past Chairs for their years of dedication to this project --Bob Clute, Wolf Tausenfreund, John Smale, Bernie Ouellet, Richard Courneyea, Greg Knudsen, Sam Brady, Ken Wheeler with special mention to Jamie Trudeau.