Going Places with Dina Guzzardo
The Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City hopes to hit a hole in one at this year’s very worthy Golf Fore Kids event. Over 100 organizations have thrown their hat in the ring, or should I say clubs onto the green, to take part in helping to raise money for the underprivileged youth in our community. This exciting event will take place from 10:30 am to 7:30 pm at the esteemed Linwood Country Club located at 500 Shore Rd, in Linwood.
This year’s Golf Fore Kids Event will kick off with some delicious grub for lunch, where there will be masseuses set up for 5-minute massages to warm up the golfers prior to play. Afterwards, golfers will enjoy an 18-Hole Scramble Shotgun Start. This is when all of the members on a team tee off at each hole and then decide which tee shot they like the best. If you have never golfed in a scramble, it’s a blast. There will also be putting contests, closest to the pin contests, chipping contests, and a hole in one car contest during the day. Dixon Balls, an eco-friendly golf company, will be setting up on two of the holes on the course. They will be holding contests, giving away prizes, and engaging with our golfers. Sponsor, Rosa’s Garden Grill will be providing subs for a “sub stop” for golfers to refuel for the days upcoming festivities. Also, Mr. Finger’s Alibi Gin, a local gin company, will be serving the golfers their refreshing “Fore Loko”, which is a signature drink consisting of Alibi gin, lemonade, club soda and cucumbers. “This is not your grandmother’s dusty bottle of gin that leaves you reeking of juniper” says Mr. Fingers Alibi Gin. “Our complex blend is best described as clean and refreshing with crisp, cool blasts of spearmint and cinnamon.” If you’re more of a vodka drinker, then Tito’s will be on premise as a long time and proud supporter of The Boys and Girls Club. Tito’s is not only a proud supporter, but also has a passion for rescuing dogs. From the very beginning they boasted the tagline “Vodka for Dog People” and have delivered on their commitment to our furry four-legged friends. This is definitely a company with a heart!
Later that evening, everyone will gather in the elegant country club to take part in the Chinese auction, cocktail dinner and reception, which will be sponsored by AtlanticCare, and awards ceremony. Children of the Atlantic City Boys and Girls Club will join the party and distribute FootJoy Golf Shoes to each sponsor as their way of showing their appreciation. If you are interested in attending just the silent auction, cocktail dinner and awards ceremony, a single ticket is $125 and can be purchased by calling Brianna Mazzuca at (609) 442-4901 or emailing her at bmazzuca@acbgc.org.
So, what about this incredible organization that is The Boys and Girls Club? Most have heard of it and know that it has something to do with helping kids, and sure if Denzel says its good then it must be good. But what about results? Does the Boys and Girls Club actually deliver? The answer to that question is a resounding YES! 52% of 12th grade Club members express an interest in a STEM career, compared with 27% of 12th graders nationally.97% of Club teens expect to graduate from high school. 76% of low-income Club members ages 12 to 18 who attend the Club regularly reported receiving mostly As and Bs, compared to 67% of their peers nationally, and the list of stats goes on. As a matter of fact, if it wasn’t for The Boys and Girls Club, we may have never had the opportunity to experience the mind-blowing talents of Jennifer Lopez. Lopez joined the Kips Bay, South Bronx Boys and Girls Club when she was 14 and they had just expanded their reach to include girls. Larry Maldonado, someone who had himself been a Boys Club member and was giving back to the community by teaching dance in the Kips Bay Club. “Jen was immediately one of the more active members of our dance program. Every day she would say how much she looked forward to being taking dance classes, and she was always involved in teaching the younger students. One day, Larry said to his brother Harold, ‘Jen is going to make it,’ and Harold said, ‘All the kids are going to make it.’, ‘Yes, but there’s something special about her. She shows that certain potential.’ She was very motivated. From award-winning actors and professional athletes to community and business leaders and college students, former Club kids come from all walks of life, but share a common bond through the Club Experience.
There are some sponsorship opportunities still available for this epic event. You can sponsor a golf foursome ($2,500) that permits four golfers. You can sponsor an Eagle ($1,200) which permits two golfers. Lastly, you can sponsor a Birdie ($500) which permits one golfer. If you or your organization would like to become a sponsor, reach out to Brianna Mazzuca at (609) 442-4901 or emailing her at bmazzuca@acbgc.org.
Dina Guzzardo is the President and Executive Promoter of Dina Media Group LLC. Dina Media Group is an innovative cutting edge media and marketing company that produces and promotes events including; concerts, benefits, festivals, fairs and outdoor markets.
