STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Under sunny skies (it never rains on the golf course) and ideal temperatures, the 11th annual Emergency Children’s Help Organization (ECHO) Golf Outing played to a sold-out crowd at Eagle Oaks Golf & Country Club in Farmingdale, N.J.
Since the Charleston based organization was founded by Sebastian Angelico in 2008, ECHO has been committed to providing financial assistance to children experiencing a challenging medical or living emergency.
Proceeds from the day’s event assist the foundation in its mission to help children in need who, due to their families’ financial situation, might be denied proper health care.
“I am proud to say that this is ECHO’s 11th annual Golf Outing, said Angelico. “Once again, we had a sold out event and a beautiful day for golf. Thank you to our supporters for their generosity which enables ECHO to continue our mission.”
The fundraising event was followed by a cocktail reception and dinner in a colonial-inspired banquet room. Golfers were gifted a $270 gift card to purchase Peter Millar golf apparel, along with other gifts such as a golf duffle bag, golf towel, golf balls and cap. The day’s activities included a Hole in One Contest, a Helicopter Ball Drop Raffle, a 50/50 Raffle, a Golf Irons Raffle, a Longest Drive Contest, Closest to the Pin Contest and Silent Auctions.
The helicopter ball drop raffle is a 50/50 where a golfer purchases three golf balls for $100. A helicopter hovers over a designated place on the golf course and the pilot drops the balls. The person whose ball is in or closest to a designated hole wins.
Major sponsors included Shop-Rite Mannix Family Markets and Ray Catena Auto Group.
Pasquale Loporcaro, executive director of ECHO, noted: “It was a wonderful day for ECHO. The generosity of the ECHO family is the reason we have now reached the $4,000,000 threshold in grants awards since our inception.”
Food and refreshments at the golf outing were donated by Royal Crown Bakery, Aunt Butchie’s, the Ponzio family, the D’Elia family, the Burke Family and Regal Wine Imports. Golf committee members include Nicholas Marone, chairman, Vincent D’Elia, co-vice chairman, Michael Burke, co-vice chairman, Anthony Compagnino, Joan Perretti-Discenza, Joseph DelDuca, Jack Oehm, Vincent Scamardella and Terry Tarangelo.