Lions’ Golf Classic Raises $44,000 for Diller Vacation Home
The Avalon Lions Club’s annual Charity Golf Classic returned in full strength this year, with 128 golfers coming together on June 27 at the Avalon Golf Club to raise $44,000 for the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children.
After the event was canceled last year due to COVID-19, generous sponsors and others came through once again with donations for the Diller Vacation Home and other Cape May County charities.
Since 1972, the Diller Vacation Home has hosted 7-to-15-year-old blind and visually impaired children for an all-expenses-paid week of fun at the shore – including everything from beach days to roller-coaster rides at Morey’s Piers in Wildwood. The home was able to host 65 campers virtually last summer amid COVID-19 restrictions, but it has been open at a reduced capacity for the 2021 season, thanks to generous donations like that of the Lions’ after each Charity Golf Classic.
“We could not have done this without so many people realizing how important the Diller Home and other local charities are to Avalon and Cape May County,” said Mike Sowers, Charity Golf Classic Co-Chair and a member of the Board of Directors of The Diller Home. “A huge shout-out to all of the club members who worked behind the scenes planning, asking for donations, making baskets of cheer, organizing and working the day’s events. They were the key to making it all happen.”
The daylong event began with a barbecue lunch and welcoming remarks by emcees Robin Mackintosh (retired CBS3 reporter) and Chris Sowers (6abc meteorologist) before the golfers headed off to the links. A cocktail reception and awards dinner, as well as both live and silent auctions, followed later that evening. The auctions featured everything from foursomes on the best golf courses down the shore to vacations.
Campers and counselors from the Diller Vacation Home visited the event to share their positive experiences at the camp. Doug Huen, president of the board of directors of the Diller Vacation Home also spoke and thanked the golfers and sponsors who made the event possible.
This year’s donation was made possible by an enthusiastic turnout, generous bidding, and the much-appreciated support from companies like Premier Sponsor Worldwide Jet and Double Eagle sponsors JAK Securities, Holy Redeemer, the Flynn family, and the Hallinan family.
The Avalon Lions Club has more than 150 members and supports more than a dozen Cape May County-based charities. More information can be found on its website, avalonlions.com.