This year’s local golf tournament and celebration dinner for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital raised over $130,000, it was announced at Saturday’s dinner in the Savannah Center.
A year ago the total donated was $48,000.
“This just shows what a special place we have in The Villages,” said Robert Ziarko, who with his wife, Mickie, helped organize the event called, “The Time To Give Back Golf Tournament” held at Mallory Country Club.
About 350 golfers took part this week, and more than 100 were turned away, Robert Ziarko said. Nearly 500 people showed up for the dinner and dance, and were entertained by Rocky and the Rollers.
Last year was the inaugural event for the St. Jude’s fundraiser in The Villages. “We had 120 golfers and about 200 people last year at the dinner,” Ziarko said. “We more than doubled it this year.”
He and his wife next week will celebrate their first wedding anniversary. They live in The Village of Amelia and were married after both lost their spouses to cancer.
“We found each other and wanted to do something to give something back to other people who were hurting,” Robert said. “We thought of St. Jude’s and helping children.”
“This is all about the kids,” Mickie Ziarko said. “Tonight just shows the incredible generosity of the people in The Villages. They understand what St. Jude’s is all about because they all have grandchildren and children. They know what having a sick child means and they want to help.”
Villagers Ron and Karol Clark have a granddaughter – Chloe, 3 ½ — who has been treated for cancer at St. Jude’s. “St. Jude’s has meant so much to our family,” Ron Clark said. “Tonight is a way for all of us to give something back and say thank-you.”
Villager Kevin Pautler lost his son, Dusty, 12, to cancer in 1991. The child was treated at St. Jude’s.
“Tonight is very gratifying for me because St. Jude’s is such a caring place,” Pautler said. “St. Jude’s is a place where children with catastrophic diseases go for treatment.
“It may sound sad, but St. Jude’s is a very upbeat place. They take care of the child and his family. It’s very inspiring and my memories of St. Jude’s are good memories.”
So are Pautler’s thoughts of the people in The Villages.
“The people here made this happen tonight and they helped so many children. This response is overwhelming.”
A major donation came from Greg Parady of the Parady Financial Group. It was only part of a team effort that made the fundraising efforts so successful.
“I can’t tell you how much we appreciate The Villages,” said Emily Parker, regional development representative for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “Everyone in The Villages who helped us tonight is now part of the St. Jude’s family. And we’re happy to have them.”