Memorial Golf Tournament Raises Funds for Valley Churches
By Julie Horner
The Boulder Creek Men’s Club remembered club president and community activist Dan Kelly with a fundraiser acknowledging Kelly’s charitable contributions to the San Lorenzo Valley. The “Friends of Dan Kelly Golf Tournament” was held at the DeLaveaga Golf Course in Santa Cruz on October 1st, 2022. In keeping with Kelly’s legacy, all proceeds from the event were donated to Valley Churches United on November 23.
Kelly, a longtime resident of Boulder Creek, was known for his energetic fundraising efforts in support of Valley Churches and SLV High School. A fund drive that Kelly spearheaded in the spring of 2020 raised over $110,000, which was distributed among high school sports programs, scholarships to community college, and the Valley Churches annual backpack drive. Kelly and his wife Rochelle lost their home in the CZU fire. In March of 2022, Dan lost his battle with cancer. The recent golf tournament — their biggest yet — raised $4,446, which will help fund Valley Churches food pantry and emergency relief services.
Executive Director of Valley Churches Lynn Robinson said, “This most special and generous donation on behalf of the ‘Friends of Dan Kelly Golf Tournament’ means so much to us at Valley Churches. Dan Kelly was always giving back to his community with such love and a zest for life. We sure miss our dear friend, but now his beautiful legacy of helping others is continuing with this amazing fundraiser in memory of Dan and we are truly grateful!”
Valley Churches was established in 1985 as a nonprofit organization to support mountain residents during economic, environmental, and medical crises by providing food relief, disaster assistance, and other outreach services year round. Located at 9400 Highway 9 in Ben Lomond, volunteers and donations are kindly accepted. vcum.org
The Boulder Creek Men’s Club will be celebrating its 60th anniversary in the new year. The Friends of Dan Kelly Golf Tournament joins the roster of fundraising events the club hosts annually at nearby courses. While Boulder Creek Golf and Country Club is recovering from the CZU fire, home tournaments will be held at Delaveaga Golf Course in Santa Cruz. Registration is now open to join the Boulder Creek Men’s Golf Club: bouldercreekgc.memberplanet.com
Featured photo L to r: VCUM Executive Director Lynn Robinson, Rochelle Kelly, Bruce Johnson, and Geoff Nelson | Photo by Julie Horner
Julie Horner writes about art, music, and culture in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Reach out to Julie at leap2three@gmail.com.
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